Iowa’s 2025 legislative session opens Monday.
Great, that’s all we need, another legislative session. Nothing we can do about it.
Lawmakers will jump into the Golden Dome of Wisdom, now redder than a strawberry poison dart frog, with all their good ideas.
I thought a handy glossary of legislative terminology would hep you, the reader, better understand what’s happening at the Statehouse. Enjoy.
Amendment — Changes to a bill, adding, deleting or clarifying language that must be approved by a majority vote of lawmakers.
Example: “I couldn’t get this bill passed on its own during the last three months, so I’ll make it into an amendment and add it to a budget bill in the chaotic final hours of the session, so Iowans affected have no time to mobilize.”
Bill — A bill must pass both the Senate and House and be signed by the governor to become law.
Example: I wish Monsanto would send me their bill shielding them from legal liability for cancer and other ailments possibly caused by long-term exposure to glyphosate. We need to get it passed and save this poor corporation from further strife.
Caucus — Both the majority and minority parties are known as caucuses, and often meet behind closed doors as a caucus to plot strategy and line up votes.
Example: We had a real, knock down, drag out fight over this bill in caucus. Good thing voters can’t see how the sausage is really made.
Dome (Golden) — Iowa’s majestic Capitol is topped by a large dome 275 feet in height, with much of it covered in 23-karat gold leaf 250,000th of an inch thick.
Example: Our Capitol’s dome was designed in Renaissance Revival style, drawing inspiration from 15th century Italy. But many of the bills approved under the dome draw inspiration from the Middle Ages.
“Everything’s on the table” — A common response from lawmakers when asked how they’ll address a particular issue.
Example: When you tell voters everything is on the table you don’t have to tell them what’s really happening because everything is never on the table.
Fiscal Services — A legislative agency where non-partisan staff analyze the budgetary impacts of potential legislative actions, providing facts to shape lawmaking.
Example: “ Fiscal Services said the cost of providing publicly funded scholarships to private school students will explode once all Iowa families are eligible. Let’s do it anyway. Think of all the indoctrinated children.
Funnel — Legislative deadlines set to keep nonbudget or tax bills moving through the process. Bills that miss the deadlines are declared dead.
Example: Bills that died in the funnel have risen again as zombie bills. Run for your lives!
General Assembly — The official name for the Legislature. The two legislative sessions after an election constitute a single General Assembly. This will be the 91st General Assembly.
Example: Republicans will rule the General Assembly until the sun burns out.
Hearings (Public) — Public meetings called by lawmakers to give Iowans a chance to weigh in on important legislation affecting their lives.
Example: Let’s set the public hearing for 11 a.m. on a weekday and find the smallest meeting room available so only staff and lobbyists find seats.
Judiciary Committee — A legislative committee tasked with considering bills regarding the judicial system, courts and a wide array of other issues.
Example: The chair of the House Judiciary Committee is backing a bill that says life begins when the bedroom light is turned off.
Lobbyists (also known as legislative liaisons) — Organizations, industries, nonprofits and state departments employ lobbyists to provide information to lawmakers on bills.
Example: Did you go to the lobbyists’ big reception last night? The free food was amazing. And I think they make a great case for cutting food assistance.
Media — Journalists play an important role in apprising Iowans of actions taken at the Statehouse, and designated areas are set aside for reporters to watch lawmakers at work.
Example: See way up there, by the ceiling, that’s where the media seats are in the Senate. We must look like ants to them.
Natural resources — Committees in both the House and Senate handle legislation affecting Iowa’s natural resources, including water, soil and air.
Example: The Farm Bureau told the Natural Resources Committee our environment is already well protected. Designating impaired waters is a socialist plot and no regulations are needed. That’s all I need to know.
Oversight — Lawmakers who lead the Legislative Branch have a duty to oversee government operations within the Executive Branch, including the governor’s office and state agencies.
Example: When is the last time the Oversight Committee met? I don’t remember.
Point of order — If rules of decorum are not followed a lawmaker can call for a point of order to the chair.
Example: Point of order! The senator is just about to explain the true motives behind this legislation. That can’t be allowed.
Resolution — Each chamber can approve resolutions celebrating Iowans’ accomplishments and offering support for certain government actions.
Example: This resolution expresses support for the invasion of Greenland.
Rights: According to Iowa’s state motto, our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.
Example: If Iowans’ rights must be bulldozed to score political points, and my own rights aren’t affected, let’s make it law.
Statues — The Capitol interior and grounds feature several statues reflecting on the state’s history and the sacrifices of Iowans.
Example: We should add a statue to the Capitol grounds resembling a giant hog in homage to the hog barons who run this state, beside a peaceful nutrient lagoon.
Think tanks — In some cases, lawmakers receive assistance from outside organizations that are happy to help legislators craft and approve legislation.
Example: Iowa has a long history of innovation in public education yielded by the ideas of Iowans, but a right wing think tank sent us model legislation dictating history and social studies curriculum. It’s a real time-saver.
Veto — When the governor doesn’t support a bill or a line item in a budget bill, she can issue a veto that stops them from becoming law.
Example: The governor vetoed a bill that would have established criminal penalties for kidnapping 101 or more Dalmatians.
Ways and means — The House and Senate appoint a Ways and Means Committee charged with handling tax policy.
Example: We’ve got ways for cutting taxes, and thanks to socking away billions that could have funded priority areas such as mental health care, we also have the means. As far as they know.
Young Iowans — Many lawmakers invoke young Iowans as they push for legislation protecting them and measures intended to keep them from leaving Iowa.
Example: Our school library book ban, abortion ban, anti-LGBTQ laws and dirty water surely will keep young Iowans from moving away.
Zero — A number that means none.
Example: What is the chance majority Republicans will govern in a bipartisan way and seek ways to promote the common good of all Iowans, not just their wealthy donors? Zero.
(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com
www.thegazette.com
Great, that’s all we need, another legislative session. Nothing we can do about it.
Lawmakers will jump into the Golden Dome of Wisdom, now redder than a strawberry poison dart frog, with all their good ideas.
I thought a handy glossary of legislative terminology would hep you, the reader, better understand what’s happening at the Statehouse. Enjoy.
Amendment — Changes to a bill, adding, deleting or clarifying language that must be approved by a majority vote of lawmakers.
Example: “I couldn’t get this bill passed on its own during the last three months, so I’ll make it into an amendment and add it to a budget bill in the chaotic final hours of the session, so Iowans affected have no time to mobilize.”
Bill — A bill must pass both the Senate and House and be signed by the governor to become law.
Example: I wish Monsanto would send me their bill shielding them from legal liability for cancer and other ailments possibly caused by long-term exposure to glyphosate. We need to get it passed and save this poor corporation from further strife.
Caucus — Both the majority and minority parties are known as caucuses, and often meet behind closed doors as a caucus to plot strategy and line up votes.
Example: We had a real, knock down, drag out fight over this bill in caucus. Good thing voters can’t see how the sausage is really made.
Dome (Golden) — Iowa’s majestic Capitol is topped by a large dome 275 feet in height, with much of it covered in 23-karat gold leaf 250,000th of an inch thick.
Example: Our Capitol’s dome was designed in Renaissance Revival style, drawing inspiration from 15th century Italy. But many of the bills approved under the dome draw inspiration from the Middle Ages.
“Everything’s on the table” — A common response from lawmakers when asked how they’ll address a particular issue.
Example: When you tell voters everything is on the table you don’t have to tell them what’s really happening because everything is never on the table.
Fiscal Services — A legislative agency where non-partisan staff analyze the budgetary impacts of potential legislative actions, providing facts to shape lawmaking.
Example: “ Fiscal Services said the cost of providing publicly funded scholarships to private school students will explode once all Iowa families are eligible. Let’s do it anyway. Think of all the indoctrinated children.
Funnel — Legislative deadlines set to keep nonbudget or tax bills moving through the process. Bills that miss the deadlines are declared dead.
Example: Bills that died in the funnel have risen again as zombie bills. Run for your lives!
General Assembly — The official name for the Legislature. The two legislative sessions after an election constitute a single General Assembly. This will be the 91st General Assembly.
Example: Republicans will rule the General Assembly until the sun burns out.
Hearings (Public) — Public meetings called by lawmakers to give Iowans a chance to weigh in on important legislation affecting their lives.
Example: Let’s set the public hearing for 11 a.m. on a weekday and find the smallest meeting room available so only staff and lobbyists find seats.
Judiciary Committee — A legislative committee tasked with considering bills regarding the judicial system, courts and a wide array of other issues.
Example: The chair of the House Judiciary Committee is backing a bill that says life begins when the bedroom light is turned off.
Lobbyists (also known as legislative liaisons) — Organizations, industries, nonprofits and state departments employ lobbyists to provide information to lawmakers on bills.
Example: Did you go to the lobbyists’ big reception last night? The free food was amazing. And I think they make a great case for cutting food assistance.
Media — Journalists play an important role in apprising Iowans of actions taken at the Statehouse, and designated areas are set aside for reporters to watch lawmakers at work.
Example: See way up there, by the ceiling, that’s where the media seats are in the Senate. We must look like ants to them.
Natural resources — Committees in both the House and Senate handle legislation affecting Iowa’s natural resources, including water, soil and air.
Example: The Farm Bureau told the Natural Resources Committee our environment is already well protected. Designating impaired waters is a socialist plot and no regulations are needed. That’s all I need to know.
Oversight — Lawmakers who lead the Legislative Branch have a duty to oversee government operations within the Executive Branch, including the governor’s office and state agencies.
Example: When is the last time the Oversight Committee met? I don’t remember.
Point of order — If rules of decorum are not followed a lawmaker can call for a point of order to the chair.
Example: Point of order! The senator is just about to explain the true motives behind this legislation. That can’t be allowed.
Resolution — Each chamber can approve resolutions celebrating Iowans’ accomplishments and offering support for certain government actions.
Example: This resolution expresses support for the invasion of Greenland.
Rights: According to Iowa’s state motto, our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.
Example: If Iowans’ rights must be bulldozed to score political points, and my own rights aren’t affected, let’s make it law.
Statues — The Capitol interior and grounds feature several statues reflecting on the state’s history and the sacrifices of Iowans.
Example: We should add a statue to the Capitol grounds resembling a giant hog in homage to the hog barons who run this state, beside a peaceful nutrient lagoon.
Think tanks — In some cases, lawmakers receive assistance from outside organizations that are happy to help legislators craft and approve legislation.
Example: Iowa has a long history of innovation in public education yielded by the ideas of Iowans, but a right wing think tank sent us model legislation dictating history and social studies curriculum. It’s a real time-saver.
Veto — When the governor doesn’t support a bill or a line item in a budget bill, she can issue a veto that stops them from becoming law.
Example: The governor vetoed a bill that would have established criminal penalties for kidnapping 101 or more Dalmatians.
Ways and means — The House and Senate appoint a Ways and Means Committee charged with handling tax policy.
Example: We’ve got ways for cutting taxes, and thanks to socking away billions that could have funded priority areas such as mental health care, we also have the means. As far as they know.
Young Iowans — Many lawmakers invoke young Iowans as they push for legislation protecting them and measures intended to keep them from leaving Iowa.
Example: Our school library book ban, abortion ban, anti-LGBTQ laws and dirty water surely will keep young Iowans from moving away.
Zero — A number that means none.
Example: What is the chance majority Republicans will govern in a bipartisan way and seek ways to promote the common good of all Iowans, not just their wealthy donors? Zero.
(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com
Opinion: If you can stomach watching the Iowa Legislature, I’m here to help
Subcommittee members listen to testimony during a meeting of the House Education Subcommittee to discus House Study Bill 542 at …
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