SJR 9 – Age of voters, resolution to amend the constitution
SJR 9 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Iowa State Constitution relating to electoral qualifications. The joint resolution will reduce the voting age in the constitution from 21 to 18, with the exception that a person who will be 18 in the next parliamentary election may vote in a primary. The age of 18 is the current voting age for any election in the United States under the 26th Amendment to the US Constitution. The resolution, if passed, will be published and then referred to the next General Assembly for approval before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.
[3/29: 45-0 (Excused: Driscoll, Hogg, Kraayenbrink, Nunn, Sweeney)]
SF 55 – Carbon Monoxide Protection Standards
According to SF 55, the firefighter must issue rules for standards for carbon monoxide protection that are compatible with the international building code and the international fire protection code. The bill also allows the firefighter to include carbon monoxide awareness in fire prevention campaigns. A person who breaks a rule enacted by the firefighter is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable by a prison sentence of no more than 30 days or a fine of at least $ 105 but not more than $ 855, or both. However, a person who fails to remedy an offense that clearly poses a present mortal danger within 30 days of receiving written notice is guilty of a grave misdemeanor, including a prison sentence of no more than one year and a fine of at least 430 US dollars will be fined no more than $ 2,560.
[3/29: 45-0 (Excused: Driscoll, Hogg, Kraayenbrink, Nunn, Sweeney)]
SF 517 – Schools Must Provide Credit, PE Apologize for Legislative Pages
SF 517 instructs school districts and accredited non-public schools to grant students participating in the Legislative Side Program at the State Capitol one-half unit of the three social study units required for graduation. The bill also exempts a student from physical education (PE) requirements while participating in the Legislative Pages program.
[3/29: 44-1 (No: Bisignano; Excused: Driscoll, Hogg, Kraayenbrink, Nunn, Sweeney)]
HF 685 – Consumer Protection for Orthodontic New Services
HF 685 prohibits dentists from using first orthodontic appliances on a new patient unless the dentist first conducts a personal or tele-dental examination of the new patient or the new patient provides the doctor with the dental record created within the last six months. The required examination must include any suitable conventional or digital imaging necessary to develop an appropriate orthodontic diagnostic and treatment plan. The bill defines “new patient” as someone who has not been examined or looked after by a doctor, or who the doctor has not seen in the two-year period immediately prior to the patient’s last appointment.
[3/29: 45-0 (Excused: Driscoll, Hogg, Kraayenbrink, Nunn, Sweeney)]
ACTION OF THE COMMITTEE:
HF 453 – Prohibition of regulation beyond state / federal law
HF 453 prevents a government agency or official from imposing any regulation or reporting requirement on any company as defined in Section 504.141 that exceeds the requirements of state or federal law.
[3/30: 14-0 (Excused: Goodwin)]
HF 760 – permission of the beautician to work in different places
The HF 760 allows a licensed beautician to work at a wedding venue (and is not limited to a location that is a licensed salon, hair salon, or beauty school). The bill allows the Iowa Department of Public Health to pass rules for practicing cosmetology in these locations. A change was adopted adding a language from SF 494 that would allow barber shops to offer training programs for barbers that are registered by the Office of Apprenticeship with the US Department of Labor. Anyone who completes the application form required by the Barbering Board and completes the training program can take the exam for a license to practice hairdressing. A barber shop provides the barbershop committee with the name of each trainee in the training program. It allows the board to charge a barber shop fee of no more than $ 20 per apprentice.
[3/30: 14-0 (Excused: Goodwin)]
HF 797 – 411 disability extension
HF 797 applies to certain benefits under the Iowa Municipal Fire and Police Pension System (MFPRSI), established under Chapter 411 of the Iowa Code. The bill expands the number of disabilities eligible for accidental disability benefit and allows retirees receiving a normal benefit that falls within five years of retirement to claim accidental disability benefit. The calculation does this through:
- Changes the member in good standing – Changes the definition of the member in good standing “guilty to demonstrably innocent”. The police and fire brigade should not lose their “well regarded” status until all appeals have been exhausted and the decision is final.
- The bill defines a “normal disabled person” as a member who has retired for five years or less on a normal disability pension. The changed definition of “infectious disease” will come into force when it comes into force and will apply retrospectively from January 1, 2020.
- The assumption that PTSD will be diagnosed is work-related and eliminates the unusual event required to trigger coverage. The request must be made within five years of the incident / injury. While police and firefighters receive extensive training and face a variety of dire circumstances, they remain prone to PTSD and should be treated appropriately for the condition.
- Clarification that the city is responsible for the cost of all necessary medical care for work-related injuries. The use of diseases, including those in the case of mental disorders, must take place within five years. All other incidents where cities are required to pay for hospital, nursing and medical care must be started within two years of the date of injury / illness. The employee compensation system obliges all other employers to pay injured employees lifelong medical benefits, regardless of how long the care lasts or when it is provided.
- Including cumulative injuries to be recorded as accidents at work. The duties of the Iowa Police and Fire Department can and must stress the body over time. Police and firefighters deserve to have these injuries covered like any other Iowan.
- The police and fire brigade may have the option to apply for disability benefits if they discover that there is a work-related injury. Such injuries are not always obvious. Police and firefighters deserve the opportunity to prove that an injury was caused by the performance of their duty, regardless of when the injury is discovered.
Tax implications:
- The contribution rate of 411 members is increased for legal changes, if the increase cannot be absorbed within the current contribution rates, to a maximum of 11.35%. The costs would then be incurred 60/40 between employer and employee.
It is estimated that HF 797 will add $ 50,000 to $ 100,000 per year to administrative costs for the MFPRSI due to increased medical exams. All increased administrative costs for the MFPRSI are paid from the Fire Brigade and Police Pension Fund. The unfinanced actuarial provision of the City Fire and Police Pension Fund is expected to increase approximately $ 4.3 million in FY22 and the funding rate would decrease from 79.93% to 79.83%. The cost for Fiscal Year 22 to increase the membership contribution rate from 9.40% to 9.55% is approximately $ 492,000, or $ 120 per employee. In the following financial years, these costs can increase due to the covered wage and salary accounting.
[3/30: 14-0 (Excused: Goodwin)]
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