The legislature has seen a busy few weeks as legislators continue to collaborate, introduce new bills, and amend current ones ahead of the funnel deadline approaching this Friday. After Friday, bills that have not passed out of their committees will no longer be up for consideration this year, with the exception of bills in the Ways and Means or Appropriations Committees. This year, over 2,500 pieces of legislation have been introduced. Following Friday’s funnel, the amount of legislation will be narrowed down significantly.
Greater IC continues to engage on legislation that impacts workforce development, economic investment, and quality of life. We are monitoring multiple bills, including:
Economic and Workforce Development
- Iowa Economic Development Authority Omnibus Bill (SF 2301)
The IEDA bill, which includes the creation of several new programs, introduces changes to the tax credits for the 260E jobs program, and proposes a load forecasting report to identify Iowa’s energy demand. It has advanced out of the subcommittee and passed the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill would:
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- Create the “Headquarters Expansion and Development for Growth and Employment Program” (HQ EDGE) dedicated to attracting corporate headquarters to locate in Iowa.
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- Create the “Training Fund for Business Incentives for Growth” (BIG) Program, which replaces the former High Quality jobs program and provides qualifying businesses with tax incentives to “locate, expand or modernize an Iowa facility.”
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- Repeal the New Jobs Tax Credit program
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- Commission Iowa State University to conduct research on Iowa’s energy needs
Quality of Life and Community Attraction
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- Allows cities to create “social districts” that allow for the possession or consumption of alcohol in certain public places
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- Authorizes cities and counties to create self-supported “tourism districts” where hospitality businesses can be levied fees to support the promotion of tourism and economic development activities
- Authorizes cities and counties to create self-supported “tourism districts” where hospitality businesses can be levied fees to support the promotion of tourism and economic development activities
- Affordable Housing Task Force (HF 2312)
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- Establishes an affordable housing task force to study state and local regulations that contribute to the cost of affordable housing.
As always, Greater IC remains committed to informing its stakeholders about legislation impacting community and economic development and will continue to track these bills throughout the legislative session.
Mark your calendars for our next legislative forum where you will have the opportunity to engage with legislators on these issues one-on-one:
March Legislative Forum
Friday, March 13
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
MERGE, Iowa City
Register Here
