On Monday, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs hosted a State Historical Library and Archive reception. At the reception, I meet up with one of my former students Andrew Klumpp! A native of Sanborn, Iowa, and 2006 Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn graduate, Dr. Andrew Klumpp is the editor of the “Annals of Iowa,” which is a scholarly journal of the Hawkeye State’s history published by the State Historical Society of Iowa. I went to high school in Aurelia with both of Andrew’s parents, and I attend church with his grandmother. I love getting a chance to catch up with former students and learning about their lives after high school.
On Tuesday, Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 181 into law. The bill fixed an error in how taxable values were calculated for property owners.
Following UNI Day at the Capitol last week, students, faculty, and staff from Iowa State University filled the Capitol on Tuesday. I had some of the best ice cream I have tasted provided by the ISU creamery! This week senators also met with veterinarians and vet technicians on Tuesday to discuss methods of support for Iowa veterinarians.
Also, on Tuesday, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors were at the Capitol. I had the pleasure of meeting up with Randy Kruse, a Farm Bureau Agent and financial advisor from my district. I appreciated Randy freeing up time to meet with me and educating me on the industry.
The Iowa Senate passed SF 228, tort reform for commercial vehicles. The trucking industry is a major employer in Iowa. Beyond the jobs it creates, it is also vital to the success of the state’s economy.
Much like business taxes, when liability insurance is more expensive, those costs get passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. So, when trucking companies have to pay more for insurance, Iowans have to pay more for the things they buy.
SF 228 limits the amount of noneconomic damages a jury may award in a commercial vehicle accident lawsuit. Economic damages, like lost wages, health care costs, and other definable expenses remain uncapped, as do punitive damages, where a driver or company is guilty of extreme negligence in the conduct of their business. The agriculture industry and farmers transporting grain, livestock, and ag products are covered under this bill as well. SF 228 strikes a balance between awards for those injured in an accident, controlling rising costs, and easing supply challenges for all the things Iowans buy and sell.
A longstanding goal of Senate Republicans is to make government smaller, smarter, and eliminate needless government obstacles and burdens on Iowans. Senate Study Bill 1123 is a proposal to reorganize Iowa’s state government. This was first discussed by Governor Reynolds in her Condition of the State speech. The goal is to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely and effectively. SSB 1123 consolidates the 37 executive branch cabinet agencies and reduces that number down to 16. Currently, Iowa has more cabinet agencies than all of our neighboring states, with similar states to Iowa having 15 cabinet agencies. Over the next four years, SSB 1123 is estimated to save Iowa taxpayers $214 million. We have been busy listening to the effects of this bill and looking at all it encompasses.
While there still be more work to be done, this bill is a good step forward on making Iowa government smaller, smarter, and work better for Iowans.