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Advocate

Working together

Iowa Community Action Association works with partners, member agencies, and legislators to improve Iowa’s communities by advocating for the best interests of Iowa residents, businesses, organizations and government.

2022 Data by Congressional District

2022 Statewide Data

Did you know?

 In the US, 1 in 25 children raised in the bottom quintile of the income distribution are able to climb to the top quintile.

State Legislative Agenda

The State Legislative Priorities are used by ICAA to guide advocacy efforts during session. Local agencies may choose to incorporate any of these action items into their legislative education and advocacy efforts.

Legislative Updates:

FAQ’s

General Assembly (G.A.) – 1st and 2nd

First Session of a General Assembly (G.A.)
  • Happens in Odd Numbered Years – 2001; 2003;
  • Last not more than 110 days;
  • (Per Diem ends after 110 days);
  • Bills introduced, but not passed, are eligible for consideration during the next (2nd ) session.
Second Session of a General Assembly (G.A.)

* Happens in Even Numbered Years – 2002; 2004;
* This session lasts not more than 100 days;
* (Per Diem ends after 100 days);
* At the end of the 2nd session, all bills from both sessions that do not pass die. 80th GA – 2003 and 2004 legislative sessions.

House Study Bill or Senate Study Bill (HSB or SSB)

  • Can be “proposed” by the Governor, a State Agency, or the Committee Chairperson;
  • Is a work in progress;
  • Will only find in a Committee;
  • When voted out of a Committee becomes a House File or Senate File and moves to floor for full debate.

House File or Senate File (HF or SF)

  • Can be introduced by an individual legislator, group of legislators or a Committee (see HSB and SSB above);
  • If introduced by one or more legislators, then the bill goes to a Committee;
  • Committee chairperson appoints a three person subcommittee;
  • Subcommittee work is key;
  • Consideration of the House File or Senate File by the full Committee is at chairperson’s discretion; Committee can propose an amendment;
  • When voted out of Committee, bill heads to the floor for debate.
  • A House File or Senate File that made it the whole way.
  • Is ready to be signed by the Governor;
  • Small font; In landscape;
  1. Bill introduced
  2. Assigned to House Committee
  3. Voted out of House Committee
  4. Passes House of Representatives
  5. Assigned to Senate Committee
  6. Voted out of Senate Committee
  7. Passes Senate
  8. Signed by the Governor

Effective year after year until the Legislature passes a bill to get rid of it or amend it.
Printed in Code of Iowa, Code of Iowa Supplement AND Iowa Acts

Only effective for that fiscal year ( From July 1 of one year To June 30 of the next year)

  • Appropriations
  • Studies
  • Temporary programs

Not printed in Iowa Code
Printed only in annual edition of the Iowa Acts

  1. A bill has to pass both chambers in identical form before it goes to the Governor. (Enrolled bill – tiny type in landscape.)
  2. The Governor has to sign a bill before it becomes law.
  3. A new law takes effect July 1 of the new fiscal year OR the date specified at the end of a bill.
  4. An idea can have several different bill numbers before it becomes law.
  5. The House debates House Files and Senate Files but only debates amendments starting with an “H”.
  6. The Senate debates Senate Files and House Files but only debates amendments starting with an “S”.
  7. Three digit House File or Senate File = 1 st session of the General Assembly (G.A.). * HF 123 or SF 123
  8. Four digit House File or Senate File STARTING WITH “2”= 2 nd session of the General Assembly (G.A.). * HF 2123 or SF 2123
  9. Bills don’t die after the first session of a G.A.
  10. All bills die after the second session of a G.A.
  11. Don’t trust the “Explanation” at the end of the bill.
  12. View bills on the State Legislature website

 

Standing Committees

A standing committee is a group of legislators designated by a chamber to give thorough consideration to and make recommendations on bills assigned to the committee and to
introduce legislative bills and resolutions relating to their specific subject areas. Standing committees may conduct investigations and in-depth studies of governmental matters
within those subject areas. Further duties of standing committees are listed in section 2.15 of the Code of Iowa.

The standing committees of the Iowa General Assembly are listed below.

SENATE
  • Agriculture
  • Appropriations
  • Business & Labor
  • Commerce
  • Education
  • Ethics
  • Human Resources
  • Judiciary
  • Local Government
  • Natural Resources & Environment
  • Rules & Administration
  • Small Business,
    EconomicDevelopment & Tourism
  • State Government
  • Transportation
  • Ways & Means
HOUSE
  • Administration & Rules
  • Agriculture
  • Appropriations
  • Commerce & Regulation
  • Economic Development
  • Education
  • Environmental Protection
  • Ethics
  • Human Resources
  • Judiciary
  • Labor & Industrial Relations
  • Local Government
  • Natural Resources
  • State Government
  • Transportation
  • Ways & Means

Members serve on three to five standing committees at a time. Standing committees meet at least weekly during the first portion of a session in accordance with a schedule determined by the legislative leadership. The designated chairperson presides over each meeting. Each committee adopts rules of procedure.

Roles for the committee members:
  • The committee chairperson’s secretary prepares meeting agendas, completes committee report forms, and assists the chairperson during the meeting.
  • The committee vice chairperson’s secretary prepares the minutes of each meeting.
  • The committee ranking member’s secretary prepares and distributes meeting notices.

In addition, many members serve on one of nine appropriations subcommittees.