Legislative Highlights and Bills of Interest -- 2000 Here are the bills I am tracking for Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter, so far introduced during the 2000 Session with actions occurring accumulated in the narrative. Note that I include the Bill #, Bill Title, Bill Description, and some notes of milestones. These are the bills which made it through the Funnel Deadline for bills to be out of committee, and that have been printed. A few more will show up this week in print for the first time. Appropriations bills are not introduced as yet; they are always after the subcommittees complete hearing times. Bills having passed and gone to the Governor appear first in the lists. DISCLAIMER I do know this is a long listing of bills. Future reports will not include the lengthy descriptions, except for new bills. I apologize for the length, but it is comprehensive. Let me know how I can make this missal, which will now be weekly, a more useful and informative document. I will be adding other narrative information as issues develop and as I gather it. Thanks. Lyle Krewson ____________________________________________ H.F. 2039 A bill for an act relating to state budgetary matters by providing for reductions and supplementation of appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999, transferring, crediting, and appropriating certain moneys, and providing effective dates. (Formerly HSB 500) Introduced, and placed on the House Appropriations Calendar. Rule suspended for immediate consideration. Amendment H. 8002 filed, then withdrawn. Amendment H. 8004 filed and adopted. Amendment H. 8001 filed and lost. Passed House, ayes 96, nays 1, 1/12/2000, and immediately messaged to the Senate. Attached to Similar SF 2013 on Senate Calendar. Substituted for SF 2013, debated, and passed Senate, ayes 44, nays 2, 1/13/2000, and immediately messaged to the House. Reported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and the President of the Senate and sent to the Governor, 1/18/2000. SIGNED by the Governor 1/18/2000. H.F. 2068 A bill for an act relating to a midwest interstate passenger rail compact. EXPLANATION This bill provides that the midwest interstate passenger rail compact is entered into and enacted into law with several other midwestern states if those states join the compact in substantially the same form. The bill provides that the purposes of the compact are to promote development and implementation of improvements to intercity passenger rail service in the midwest, to coordinate interaction among midwestern state officials on passenger rail issues, to promote development and implementation of plans for high-speed rail passenger service in the midwest and other regions, to work with public and private sectors at all levels to ensure coordination among entities with an interest in passenger rail service and promote midwestern interests regarding such service, and to support efforts of transportation agencies involved in developing and implementing passenger rail service in the midwest. The bill provides that a commission shall be established to further the purposes of and carry out the duties specified in the compact. Each state joining the compact is to be represented by four commission members: the governor of the state or the governor's designee, serving during the tenure of the governor or until a successor is named; a member of the private sector appointed by the governor, serving during the tenure of the governor or until a successor is named; and two legislators, one from each legislative chamber, appointed by the appropriate appointing authority in each chamber, serving two-year terms or until successors are appointed. The bill provides a list of powers and duties the commission shall have related to the compact. Introduced by Reps. Martin and Connors, referred to House State Government Committee. Assigned to a subcommittee of Reps. Martin, Chiodo, Connors, Gipp and Jacobs. Placed on the House Calendar 2/15/2000. H.F. 2090 A bill for an act changing the name of the forests and forestry division of the department of natural resources to the forests and prairies division and expanding its responsibilities. EXPLANATION This bill changes the name of the forests and forestry division of the department of natural resources to the forests and prairies division and expands its duties to include administering programs for prairie management assistance to private and public landowners. (Formerly HSB 519) Introduced by House Natural Resources Committee and placed on the House Calendar. Passed House, ayes 83, nays 7. H.J. 238. 2/800, and immediately messaged to the Senate, and attached to similar SF 2035 on the Senate Calendar. H.F. 2136 A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections. . EXPLANATION This bill makes nonsubstantive corrections to the Code of Iowa. Code section 6B.59. Replaces the word "Iowa" with the word "state" so that the section reflects the official name of the state department of transportation. Code section 7E.5(1)(v). Corrects a reference to the Code in which the department for the blind is established. The commission for the blind is established in Code section 216B.2. The department is established in Code chapter 216B. Code section 12.31. Strikes the words "This division" and substitutes the sections in Code chapter 12 which corresponds with the linked investment program. There are no divisions in Code chapter 12. Code section 12.32, unnumbered paragraph 1 and subsection 4. Strike the word "division" and substitute the sections contained in Code chapter 12, which corresponds with the linked investment program. There are no divisions in Code chapter 12. Correct a reference to the traditional livestock producer's linked investment "loan" program established under Code section 12.43A. Code section 15E.208(4)(b). Corrects a reference to the department of workforce development. The name of that department was changed in 1996 Iowa Acts, ch. 1186. Code section 19A.8. Corrects a reference to the state employee "health" flexible spending accounts to conform to the terminology created in Code section 19A.35. Code section 35A.1(4). Corrects reference to Code section 35A.8, which provides for the appointment of the executive director of the commission of veterans affairs. Code section 50.16. Strikes letter references which precede blank lines in the form for the tally list of the election board and adds directions as to what information is to be placed in the blanks. Code section 50.29. Amends the county certificate of election form by striking letter references which precede blank lines with directions to insert the candidate's name and by striking letter references which precede blanks which already have directions as to what information is to be entered on the blank lines. Code section 50.41. Amends the certificate of election for persons declared to have been elected by the state board of canvassers by striking letter references which precede blank lines with directions to insert the candidate's name. Code section 60.11. Amends the subpoena language for witnesses in trials contesting the results of an election by striking letter references which precede blank lines with directions to insert the candidates' names. Code sections 80.17(7) and 80.35. Correct references to the division of capitol police of the department of public safety, the designation currently used by the department of public safety. Code section 86.17(1). Corrects references to the industrial commissioner and the deputy industrial commissioner to the workers' compensation commissioner and the deputy workers' compensation commissioner. The names of the industrial commissioner and deputy industrial commissioner were changed by 1998 Iowa Acts, ch. 1061. Code section 124.401F(2)(b). Adds the words "of agriculture" after the word "secretary". The requirements and prohibitions pertaining to anhydrous ammonia contained in Code section 124.401F were moved from their 1999 Code placement in sections 200.14 and 200.18, by 1999 Iowa Acts, ch. 12. The term "secretary" is defined in Code section 189.1 and previously applied to the language which was formerly in Code sections 200.14 and 200.18. Another reference to "secretary" in Code section 124.401F was corrected in 1999 Iowa Acts, ch. 208, section 48, in the same manner as this reference. Code sections 135.11(18) and 135.107(3)(d). Change the name of the former university of osteopathic medicine and health sciences to its new name, Des Moines university osteopathic medical center. Code section 135.22A(1)(a). Conforms the phrase "an injury to the brain" to the definition "brain injury" contained in Code section 135.22, which is cited in this paragraph. Code section 139B.1(1)(a). Corrects the reference to the United States department of health and human services centers for disease control and prevention. Code section 161B.1(2)(f). Changes the name of the Iowa department of preventative medicine and environmental health of the state university of Iowa to the correct name of department of preventive medicine and environmental health. Code Section 163A.1(9)(b). Corrects references to the animal and plant inspection service of the United States department of agriculture to refer to the official name of the animal and plant health inspection service of that federal department. Code section 166.42 (unnumbered paragraph 1). Corrects the name of the animal and plant health inspection serviceveterinary service, United States department of agriculture. Code section 184A.1A(4). Inserts the word "and" between the words "council" and the phrase "to impose an assessment". Subsection 1 of this section, which describes the referendum for the Iowa turkey marketing council and the assessment, provides that both the council establishment and the assessment imposition are part of the referendum. Code section 229A.5A(1). Strikes the word "their" and substitutes the words "the person's" to refer to who is responsible for payment of attorney fees for any person compelled to appear under this section. Code section 229A.7(5). Changes a reference to subsection 1 of that section to a reference to subsection 2. The language pertaining to continuation of sexually violent predator trials is found in subsection 2, not subsection 1. Code Section 235C.3(2)(b). Corrects a reference to the university of osteopathic medicine and health sciences to reflect the official name of the Des Moines universityosteopathic medical center. Code section 237A.23(1). Adds the word "public" before the word "health", so that the list of departments reflects the proper designation of the department of public health. Code section 255.26. Strikes language prohibiting payment of warrants from the state university of Iowa for medical assistance provided to certain patients unless the uniform billing form 82 (UB-82) has been filed with the community health management information system. The community health management information system, formerly contained in Code chapter 144C, was eliminated effective February 28, 1999, by 1998 Iowa Acts, ch. 1119, section 5. Code section 255A.13. Updates uniform billing form number references currently in use for submission of claims to the UB-92. Strikes references to the community health management information system, formerly contained in Code chapter 144C, which was eliminated, effective February 28, 1999, by 1998 Iowa Acts, ch. 1119, section 5. Code section 257.46(2). Strikes the term "talented and gifted program" and substitutes the term "gifted and talented program". Code section 257.42 provides that "gifted and talented program" is the proper designation. Code section 261.19. Strikes references to the former university of osteopathic medicine and health sciences and inserts the university's new name, Des Moines university osteopathic medical center. Code Section 263.17(2)(a)(1). Corrects a reference to reflect the official name of the department of preventive medicine and environmental health of the state university of Iowa. Code section 279.51(2)(b)(1). Amends language which relates to at-risk programming for certain young children, by adding the word "old" to each of two phrases ending with hyphens, so that the phrase reads "three-year-old, four-year- old, and five-year-old". Code Section 359A.18(5). Corrects a reference to reflect the official name of the American society for testing and materials. Code section 422.45(38A) and (38B). Strike the word "administration-certified" and insert the words "administration certificated" in provisions relating to sales tax exemptions for gross receipts for the sale or rental of aircraft used in scheduled and nonscheduled interstate federal aviation administration certificated air carrier operations. The federal regulations use the latter terminology which is also found in subsection 38 of this Code section. Code section 422.121. Strikes the word "operations" and replaces it with the words "operations' inventory" in language relating to the calculation of tax credits for cow-calf operations to clarify that inventory numbers are to be used in calculating the credit. Code sections 422B.1(6)(b) and 422E.2(4)(b) (unnumbered paragraph 1). Change the term "abstract of the ballot" to the term "abstract of the votes". The name of the document prepared by the county auditor to reflect the results of votes cast at various elections and on ballot issues is "abstract of the votes". Code section 423.4(18) and (19). Strike the word "certified" and insert the word "certificated" in provisions relating to sales tax exemptions for gross receipts for the sale or rental of aircraft used in scheduled and nonscheduled interstate federal aviation administration certificated air carrier operations. The federal regulations use the latter terminology which is also found in subsection 17 of this Code section. Code section 427.1(14) (unnumbered paragraph 2). Deletes an incorrect reference to subsection 1 of Code section 135B.1. The definition of "hospital" is not in subsection 1 of Code section 135B.1, rather it is now located in subsection 3 of that section. Code section 427B.4 (unnumbered paragraph 1). Adds the words "and finance" after the words "director of revenue" to reflect the current official title of the head of the department of revenue and finance. Code section 448.2. Changes the tax deed form used by the county treasurer by striking letter references which precede blank lines and by deleting extra blank lines so that a single blank line will remain in each location where the changes are made. Code section 453C.1(9)(a). Deletes the word "the" from language referring to provisions of subsection II(mm) of the master tobacco settlement agreement. The word is not needed within that phrase. Code section 455B.173(8). Changes the name of the American society of testing and material to the correct name of American society for testing and materials. Code section 455B.474(1). Changes a reference to the American society for testing of materials to the correct name of American society for testing and materials. Code section 514.7. Corrects a reference to the commissioner of insurance in language relating to approval of contracts by nonprofit health care service corporations. An insurance commission does not exist. Code section 514E.1(12). Deletes an incorrect reference to subsection 1 of Code section 135B.1. The definition of "hospital" is not in subsection 1 of Code section 135B.1, rather it is now located in subsection 3 of that section. A reference to subsection 6 of Code section 135C.1 is deleted to conform the citation form to the citation form created by the strike of the subsection 1 reference. Code section 522A.3(5)(d). Deletes the word "based" from language relating to the terms under which a fee, compensation, or commission may be paid to an employee of a rental company which sells insurance under a limited license agreement under Code chapter 522A. The word was inadvertently added during the drafting process and is obviated by the use of the word "dependent" in that same paragraph. Code section 554.12105(2). Adds the word "Section" before each reference to a Code section in the definitions provision of this article of the uniform commercial code. This conforms the form of this definitions section to other definitions sections which may be found in articles 2, 3, and 5 of the uniform commercial code. Code sections 598B.208(3) and 598B.312(1). Adds the word "expenses" after the words "child care" to conform the phrase to the rest of the items listed as items which may be assessed against a party seeking to invoke the child-custody jurisdiction of the court when the court dismisses a petition or stays the proceeding because it declines to exercise jurisdiction. Code section 637.202(2)(b). Strikes the word "be" from the phrase "required to be pay pecuniary amounts" so that the phrase reads "required to pay pecuniary amounts" in language relating to determination of a beneficiary's share of net income from a decedent's estate or a terminating income trust. Code section 663.8. Changes the petition for writ of habeas corpus form by striking letter references which precede blank lines and by deleting extra blank lines so that a single blank line will remain in each location where the changes are made. Code section 692A.13(c)(1) and (2). Deletes the word "a" from language relating to the assessment of risk of persons who are required to register as sex offenders, so that the phrase in each paragraph reads "Persons who... and who have been assessed to be "moderate-risk" or "high-risk"". 1999 Iowa Acts, ch. 112. Corrects the amending phrase in section 9 of this Act to reflect the addition of a new paragraph to subsection 1, instead of a new subsection. As drafted, the new language was given a letter designation which is consistent with placement in subsection 1 after paragraph "e", and the content of the new language is in keeping with the type of content in the language of the other lettered paragraphs in subsection 1. CENTURY DATE CHANGE Code sections 6B.9, 28A.6, 43.26, 46.9, 52.9, 52.21, 52.38, 85.24, 96.14, 384.50, 441.26, 448.15, 458A.22, 461B.5, 468.371, 468.511, 468.553, 515.138, 558.25, 558.26, 558.39, 558.57, 558.58, 558.66, 602.6504, 614.14, 617.3, 633.230, 633.279, 633.295, 633.304, 633.305, and 656.2. Amends these Code sections by eliminating century specific date references and updating those references to provide for the insertion of date information without that century limitation. (Formerly HSB 555) Introduced by House Judiciary Committee and placed on the House Calendar. Committee amendment H. 8018 filed and adopted. H.J. 268. Passed House, ayes 96, nays 0, 2/10/00, and immediately messaged to the Senate. Assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and assigned to a subcommittee of Sens. Hansen, Lamberti and Maddox. H.F. 2299 A bill for an act relating to the funding of state mandates. . EXPLANATION This bill provides that if a new state mandate is imposed on or after July 1, 2000, which requires the performance of a new activity or service or the expansion of a service beyond what was required before July 1, 2000, the state mandate must be fully funded. If the state mandate is not fully funded, the affected political subdivisions are not required to comply or implement the state mandate. Also, no fines or penalties may be imposed on a political subdivision for failure to comply or carry out an unfunded state mandate. This bill strikes Code section 25B.2, subsection 3, and rewrites it as a new section outside the intent section of Code chapter 25B. The rewritten section removes a qualifying phrase which limits the circumstances under which a political subdivision may fail to carry out an unfunded state mandate. Introduced by Rep. Houser, referred to House Local Government Committee. Assigned to a subcommittee of Reps. Houser, Alons, Carroll, Huser, Kuhn, Richardson and Van Engelenhoven. Placed on the House Calendar 2/25/2000. H.F. 2392 A bill for an act creating a community attraction and tourism development commission and relating to the administration of community attraction and tourism development program. . EXPLANATION This bill relates to the community attraction and tourism development program. The bill creates a community attraction and tourism development commission for purposes of administering the community attraction and tourism development program. Currently, the program is administered by the department of economic development. The bill provides that the commission shall consist of three members of the travel federation of Iowa, one mayor of a city with a population of less than $20,000 appointed by the Iowa league of cities board of directors, and one county supervisor from a county with a population ranking in the bottom 33 counties in population appointed by the Iowa state association of counties' board of directors. The bill provides that the members of the commission shall serve staggered three-year terms and are subject to confirmation by the senate. (Formerly HSB 678) Introduced by House Economic Development Committee. Placed on the House Calendar 2/23/2000. Amendment H. 8057 filed. H.F. 2393 A bill for an act relating to the certification of persons as confinement site manure applicators, providing for fees, and making penalties applicable. . EXPLANATION This bill amends provisions which relate to certification of persons who apply manure stored at the site of a confinement feeding operation, and who are not in the application business, typically agricultural producers. The educational program for confinement site manure applicators is administered by the department of natural resources. Persons must be certified after completing an educational program and paying a fee. This bill provides if a person is certified as a confinement site manure applicator under Code section 455B.203A, upon completing an educational program, the required amount paid for the person's certification also satisfies the amount of the certification fee otherwise required to be paid for each of the person's family members who are certified within the year that the person is certified. The bill defines a "family member" as a person related to another person as a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling. (Formerly H.F. 2075) Introduced by House Agriculture Committee. Placed on the House Calendar 2/23/2000. H.F. 2409 A bill for an act relating to campaign finance law and providing penalties and providing an effective date. . EXPLANATION This bill amends certain provisions of Code chapter 56 pertaining to campaign finance law. The bill strikes part of the definition of "express advocacy" in Code section 56.2, subsection 14. The United States court of appeals for the eighth circuit has held that the language in that portion of the definition is unconstitutional. The bill adds new Code section 56.4A to provide that a person shall not knowingly and willfully make a false material statement in a campaign report or form. Violations of this provision are punishable as a serious misdemeanor under Code section 56.16. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $250 but not more than $1,500. The bill amends Code section 56.12A to prohibit any person from using public moneys for political purposes. The current statute prohibits only the state and political subdivisions from making such expenditures. The bill replaces language in Code section 56.13 relating to independent expenditures and removes certain provisions held to be unconstitutional by the United States court of appeals for the eighth circuit. The new language requires the filing by individuals or certain persons of an independent expenditure statement within 10 days of making an expenditure or incurring an indebtedness exceeding $500 in the aggregate to expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the passage or defeat of a ballot issue. The new language specifies the criteria for filing, as well as the contents of the statement. The bill amends and reorganizes Code section 56.14 relating to attribution statements on political material and to yard signs. The bill specifies a $500 limit for political material that can be distributed by an individual to expressly advocate the passage or defeat of a ballot issue, rather than the current limit of the individual's "modest resources" regarding candidates or ballot issues. The bill removes restrictions on the placement of yard signs held to be unconstitutional by the United States court of appeals for the eighth circuit. The bill reorganizes the remaining subsection pertaining to placement of yard signs on certain types of property and adds that such signs can be placed on corporate property that is rented by a political committee. The bill also adds a provision prohibiting the movement or destruction of yard signs without permission. Violations of this provision are punishable as a serious misdemeanor under Code section 56.16. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $250 but not more than $1,500. Code section 56.41 is amended to permit the use of campaign funds, up to $25, for payment of meals for an event attended by a candidate for purposes of constituency services or for the purposes of holding elected office. This bill takes effect upon enactment. (Formerly HSB 545) Introduced by House State Government Committee. Placed on the House Calendar 2/24/2000. H.F. 2423 A bill for an act creating a brownfield redevelopment program and fund and a brownfield redevelopment advisory council. . EXPLANATION This bill creates a brownfield redevelopment program and fund for purposes of providing financial and technical assistance for the acquisition, remediation, or redevelopment of brownfield sites. The bill provides that brownfield sites are defined as an abandoned, idled, or underutilized industrial or commercial facility where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination and includes property contiguous with the property on which the industrial or commercial facility is located. The bill provides that a brownfield site shall not include property which has been placed or is proposed to be included on the national priorities list established pursuant to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The bill also provides for the establishment of a brownfield redevelopment advisory council. The bill provides that the department of economic development shall establish and administer the brownfield redevelopment program. The bill provides that a person owning a site may apply for assistance if the site for which assistance is sought meets the definition of a brownfield site and the applicant has secured sponsorship prior to applying. The bill provides that sponsorship is defined as an agreement between a city or county and an applicant for assistance under the brownfield redevelopment program where the city or county agrees to offer assistance or guidance to the applicant. The bill provides that, in reviewing applications for financial assistance, the department shall consider whether the brownfield site meets the definition of a brownfield site and whether alternative forms of assistance exist. The bill provides that the Iowa economic development board may approve, deny, or defer each application for financial assistance. The bill provides that a person who is not an owner of a site may apply for financial assistance under the program if the site for which financial assistance is sought meets the definition of a brownfield site and the applicant has secured sponsorship prior to applying. The bill provides that an applicant shall enter into an agreement with the owner of the brownfield site for which financial assistance is sought which shall include, at a minimum, an agreement regarding the estimated total cost for remediating the brownfield site, an agreement that the owner shall transfer title of the property to the applicant upon completion of the remediation of the property, and an agreement that, upon the sale of the property by the applicant, the original owner shall receive not more than 75 percent of the estimated total cost for remediation. The bill provides that an applicant shall not receive financial assistance of more than 25 percent of the agreed upon estimated total cost of remediation. The bill provides that, upon the subsequent sale of the property by the applicant, the applicant shall repay the department for financial assistance received by the applicant. The repayment shall be in an amount equal to the sales price less the amount paid to the original owner pursuant to the agreement between the applicant and the original owner. The bill provides that the repayment amount shall not exceed the amount of financial assistance received by the applicant. The bill provides for the creation of a brownfield redevelopment fund from which awards for financial assistance under the brownfield redevelopment program may be given. The bill provides that the department of economic development shall establish a brownfield redevelopment advisory council consisting of five members. The bill provides that the members shall include the director of the department of economic development, the director of the department of natural resources, the director of transportation, one person selected by the board of directors of the Iowa league of cities, and one member of the Iowa economic development board selected by the board. The bill provides that the advisory council shall review each brownfield redevelopment program application and provide recommendations to the department of economic development regarding financial and technical assistance. The bill provides that the state department of transportation shall amend existing administrative rules for local development projects under the revitalize Iowa's sound economy fund to include a rating factor for remediation or redevelopment of a brownfield site. The bill provides that the department of economic development shall amend existing administrative rules for projects under the community economic betterment program to include a rating factor for remediation or redevelopment of a brownfield site. (Formerly HSB 696) Introduced by House Economic Development Committee. Placed on the House Calendar 2/24/2000. H.F. 2424 A bill for an act creating an Iowa Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission, an Iowa Lewis and Clark bicentennial fund, and providing an effective date. EXPLANATION This bill creates an Iowa Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission and fund. The bill establishes an Iowa Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission within the department of economic development which shall be chartered and operated as a nonprofit corporation for purposes of coordinating and promoting the observance of this state's bicentennial commemoration of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The bill provides that the commission shall be composed of seven members consisting of the director of the department of cultural affairs, the division administrator of the division of tourism within the department of economic development, the division administrator of the parks, recreation, and preserves division within the department of natural resources, and the division administrator of the historical division within the department of cultural affairs. The bill provides that the remaining three members shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. The bill provides that the members appointed by the governor shall have an interest or expertise in the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition and at least one of the members shall be a member of an Indian tribe encountered by the Lewis and Clark expedition. The bill provides that the commission may cooperate with national, regional, state, and local events promoting the bicentennial; plan, assist, coordinate, or conduct bicentennial events; engage in fund-raising activities, including revenue-earning enterprises and the solicitation of grants, gifts, and donations; promote public education concerning the Lewis and Clark expedition; coordinate interagency participation in the observation and work with appropriate federal entities such as the national park service, the United States forest service, and the United States army; appoint various local and regional advisory committees; and perform any other related duties. The bill provides that an Iowa Lewis and Clark bicentennial fund is established as a separate fund in the state treasury under the control of the commission and that the assets of the fund shall be used by the commission for carrying out the purposes of the commission. The bill provides that the Iowa Lewis and Clark bicentennial commission terminates on December 31, 2007. The bill takes effect upon enactment. (Formerly HSB 695) Introduced by House Economic Development Committee. Placed on the House Calendar 2/24/2000. H.F. 2431 A bill for an act relating to ethics and campaign disclosure board procedures and to conflicts of interest of public officers and employees. . EXPLANATION This bill limits actions which can be commenced to enforce provisions of the Code relating to conflicts of interest of public officers and public employees. The bill provides that an action may only be brought against local officials or local employees and not against state employees or legislative employees. The bill does not impact the legislative ethics committee's jurisdiction over legislators and lobbyists and the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board's jurisdiction over state officials and employees of state government. The bill provides that, in an action to enforce provisions of the Code relating to conflicts of interest of public officers and employees, the complaint shall be filed with another county attorney if the county attorney is the person against whom the complaint is filed or if the county attorney otherwise has a personal or legal conflict of interest. All other complaints are filed with the county attorney in the county where the accused resides. The bill provides that if a person fails to comply with an action of the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board, the board may file a petition in the Polk county district court to enforce the order. The bill requires that a lobbyist's client file a report on or before January 31 and July 31 containing information on all salaries, fees, and retainers paid by the lobbyist's client to the lobbyist for lobbying purposes, regardless of whether any payments have been made during the previous six months. Currently, if no payments are made during the previous six months, a report is not required. (Formerly HSB 510) Introduced by House State Government Committee. Placed on the House Calendar 2/24/2000. HJR 2006 A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the power of the people to affirm or reject Acts of the General Assembly relating to the individual income tax or sales or use tax. . EXPLANATION This Joint Resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa granting the people the power to affirm or reject certain Acts passed by the general assembly. Any Act, or portion of an Act, passed by the general assembly and approved by the governor, that raises tax rates imposed on the income of individuals or sales or use tax rates may be affirmed or rejected. Referenda on these measures are to be held within 90 days of the final adjournment of the general assembly that passed the Act. The Act, or portion of an Act, is rejected by the people if 50 percent or more of the votes cast are in favor of rejecting the measure. The Act, or portion of the Act, does not take effect until it is affirmed by the voters. The general assembly may provide by law for the implementation of this amendment to the Constitution. The resolution, if adopted, would be referred to the next general assembly for consideration. (Formerly HSB 540) Introduced by House Ways & Means Committee. Placed on the House Calendar 2/11/00. S.F. 2035 A bill for an act changing the name of the forests and forestry division of the department of natural resources to the forests and prairies division and expanding its responsibilities. EXPLANATION This bill changes the name of the forests and forestry division of the department of natural resources to the forests and prairies division and expands its duties to include administering programs for prairie management assistance to private and public landowners. (Formerly SSB 3005). Introduced by Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee. Placed on the Senate Calendar under Rule 28, 1/21/2000. S.F. 2090 A bill for an act providing for the registration of environmental auditors. EXPLANATION Currently, there is a voluntary training program for environmental auditors, after which the participant may elect to be tested by the department for certification. This bill eliminates the certification option and replaces it with a registration option. The bill provides that after completion of the training program, the participant may elect to be registered with the department as an environmental auditor. (Formerly SSB 3008) Introduced by Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee, and placed on the Senate Calendar , 2/3/00. ____________________________________________ Lyle Krewson 6403 Aurora Avenue #3 Des Moines, IA 50322-2862 [log in to unmask] 515/276-8947 - Phone/Fax ____________________________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]