2016 Legislative Guide
Content
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P O B o x 7 3 7
2015 | 2016 GUIDE TO THE
Iowa Legislature
/
2
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
2016 GUIDE TO THE THE
Iowa Legislature ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE Page 4 WHAT CAN MY LEGISLATOR DO FOR ME? Page 5
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP Page 6 MEET THE SENATORS Page 8
MEET THE REPRESENTATIVES Page 18 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Page 38
SESSION TIMETABLE Page 41
COMMITTEES Page 42 CONTACT INFORMATION Page 58 GOVERNOR & STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS Page 70 WEBSITE RESOURCES Page 72 FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS
The ID Action network was created to give advocates with disabilities the tools, information, and opportunities they need to take action on the issues that are important to them. Legislature combines This Guide to the Iowa Legislature This all of the information advocates need into a single user-friendly resource. This Guide is available at no cost to people receiving infoNET . To become a subscriber, register with the ID Action network at www.idaction.org. We hope that you will keep this Guide Guid e and use it to help with your advocacy efforts. There are many issues facing the Iowa Legislature every year. Lawmakers do not always know how a bill they are voting on will affect the people they are elected to represent. represent. That’s why it is so important to let them know what you think. In the words of a famous author , “It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” We hope this Guide will help you do just that – take notice, and then get up and take action!
Page 73 :;
"89 <=>=?@A #BB=CDAE F ,G)9*
infoNET Guide to the Iowa Legislature (updated 12/14/15)
ABOUT THE IOWA LEGISLATURE
#
THERE ARE 150 LEGI LEGISLATORS SLATORS IN IOWA’S LEGISLATURE. LEGISLATURE.
Some states have more, some some less. Iowa’s Legislature Legislature is made up of two bodies: the Iowa House of Representatives and the Iowa Senate. •
•
There are 100 Representatives serving in the Iowa House of Representatives, Representatives, or the “Iowa House” House” for short. short. Representatives serve two-year terms, so they will be up for election again in November 2016. There are 50 Senators in the Iowa Senate They are elected to four-year terms. terms. Half of the Senators will be up for election in November 2016 (the 25 with even e ven numbered districts), and the other half will face re-election in November 2018 (the 25 that are in odd numbered districts).
WHAT CAN MY LEGISLATOR DO FOR ME?
THE JOB OF A LEGISLATOR LEGISLATOR IS TO REPRESENT REPRESENT THEIR DISTRICT. DISTRICT.
Legislators are elected to represent the people that live in their districts (called (called “constituents”). They have many roles, but they are mainly problem problem solvers. They pass laws, decide how to spend taxpayer dollars, and help h elp solve problems their constituents have with laws or government. The job of legislator legislator is part-time in Iowa. Iowa. The Legislature meets for 110 days in the first year of a two-year term (like 2015), and for 100 days in the second year (like 2016). Your legislators work work at the Capitol from from January to April, but the rest of the time they have other jobs. They are teachers, farmers, insurance agents, and small business owners. Some are are retired, and some some are students. They really are just like the rest of us. HOW CAN MY LEGISLATORS HELP ME?
Legislative districts are drawn so that every Iowa Senate
Your legislator legislator works for the people of your district. district. That
district includes two Iowa House districts. Every Senator represents about 61,000 people, and every Representative represents about 30,500 people.
means they work for you. They are a “public servant” servant” which means they serve the public.
One Senator and one Representative represent you at the Iowa Capitol
•
One in six legislators are new in 2015/2016. 2 015/2016.
•
Democrats control the Iowa Senate by 1 vote.
•
Republicans control the Iowa House by 7 votes.
So if you have concerns about issues affecting you, your family, your community, or the state, contact your legislators. They represent you. Iowa legislators don’t have big offices and large staffs. They have h ave a desk and a nd filing fi ling c abinet on the floor of the th e House/Senate, and a session-only clerk that helps them file papers. That means legislators are easy to find, and respond
personally to calls, emails, and letters. :;
"89 <=>=?@A #BB=CDAE F ,G)9*
infoNET Guide to the Iowa Legislature (updated 12/14/15)
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Speaker of the House: Rep. Linda Upmeyer
Minority Leader: Leader:
Majority Leader: Rep. Chris Hagenow
Minorit rit y Le ader s: s: Ass ista nt Mino
Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Matt Windschitl Majority Whip: Whip: Rep. Joel Fry
Rep. Mark Smith
Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad Rep. Mary Gaskill Rep. Todd Prichard Rep. Sharon Steckman
Assistant Major ity Leaders: Leaders: Rep. Jarad Klein Rep. Zach Nunn Rep. Walt Rogers Rep. John Wills
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS The legislators from each political party pick pi ck leaders. Leaders assign committees, schedule debates, and are in charge of negotiations between House, Senate, and Governor. Right now Iowa has a split Legislature – Republicans Re publicans control the House with 57 votes, and Democrats control the Senate with 26 votes. That means both part parties ies will have to compromise to get something passed. •
•
IOWA SENATE President of the Senate: Senate: Sen. Pam Jochum
Leader: Minority Leader: Sen. Bill Dix
Senate Majority Leader: Leader: Sen. Mike Gronstal
Whip: Minority Whip: Sen. Jack Whitver
President Pro Tempore: Tempore: Sen. Steve Sodders
Minority rity Leaders: Leaders: Assistant Mino Sen. Rick Bertrand Sen. Randy Feenstra Sen. Tim Kapucian Sen. Charles Schneider Sen. Dan Zumbach
Majority Whip: Whip: Sen. Joe Bolkcom
Iowa House of Representatives o Majority Party (Republicans): 57 o Minority Party (Democrats): 43
Assistant Majority Majo rity Leaders: Leaders: Sen. Bill Dotzler
Iowa Senate o Majority Party (Democrats): 26
Sen. Matt McCoy Sen. Amanda Ragan Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm
o
Minority Party (Republicans): 24
infoNET Guide to the Iowa Legislature (updated 12/14/15)
MEET THE SENATORS NEW! SEN. CHAZ ALLEN (D – Senate District 15) JOB: Executive Director, Jasper Co. Economic Development Corp. BACKGROUND : BA International Business & Finance (NW Missouri State); former lobbyist for Iowa Telecomm; Mayor of Newton (2003-12); Board of Directors, Greater Des Moines Partnership & Mid-Iowa Development Fund.
SEN. BILL ANDERSON (R – Senate District 3) JOB: Small business owner (tax/accounting firm) BACKGROUND : AA (Northeast Community College); Army National Guard (8 years); Policy advisor to Congressman Steve King; born and raised in Sioux City. City.
:;
"89 <=>=?@A #BB=CDAE F ,G)9*
MEET THE SENATORS SEN. JOE BOLKCOM (D – Senate District 43) JOB : Outreach & Community Education Director, University of Iowa Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research BACKGROUND: Bachelor’s (St. Ambrose) & Master’s in Public Affairs (UI). Worked in county public health department before elected Joh nson Co. Sup ervi sor (6 yrs .). Chai Chairs rs Prog res sive Sta tes Netw Network ork and is member of FEMA National Advisory Board.
SEN. TOD BOWMAN (D – Senate District 29) JOB : Teacher (political science, sociology, current events & psychology) & coach (wrestling and football) BACKGROUND: BA Social Sciences & Education (Luther College); MA (Western Illinois University); Model UN Director; Service Learning Coordinator; Little League coach.
SEN. JERRY BEHN (R – Senate District 24) JOB: Farmer BACKGROUND : Former Boone County Supervisor; Member of Farm Bureau, Soybean Association, National Rifle Association, business groups.
SEN. CHRIS BRASE (D – Senate District 46) JOB: Professional fire fighter and paramedic BACKGROUND : North Scott High School; EMT Certificate (Scott Community College); Paramedic Certificate (University of Iowa) .
SEN. RICK BERTRAND (R – Senate District 7) JOB: Owner, TARINI Wines and JAR imports; commercial developer BACKGROUND : BS (University of Northern Iowa); Sioux City Community School Advisory Board; Sioux City Arts Center Board; Nylen Cancer Center fundraising committee; marathon runner; formerly in health care sales.
NEW! SEN. TONY BISIGNANO (D – Senate District 17) JOB: Retired (Polk County Human Resources Director)
SEN. MICHAEL BREITBACH (R – Senate District 28)
JOB: Swales Pre-Cast (Partner); Smith Insurance (Partner); TransStar Trucking (Co-Founder) BACKGROUND : BA Accounting (Loras College); volunteer fire fighter and EMT; music ministry at St. Mary’s; Strawberry Point City Council (four years); Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout).
SEN. JAKE CHAPMAN (R - Senate District 10) JOB: Private ambulance company (Operations Director & EMT)
BACKGROUND : Attended Grandview, Drake & UNI; former State Representative (3 terms) and State Senator (1 term, two years spent as Senate President Pro-Tem); Big Brothers/Big Sisters (board member); South
BACKGROUND : ADM High School; AA Business Administration (AIB); two-year church mission in Norway; Young Republicans of Dallas County
Side Cares (member); founder, Nick Bisignano Foundation.
(Founder).
infoNET Guide to the Iowa Legislature (updated 12/14/15)
:;
"89 <=>=?@A #BB=CDAE F ,G)9*
Y o u r R e p r e s e n a t t i v e i s :
S Y e o n u . r [ N S a e m n e a - t o S e r i n s a : t e ]
D e s M o i n e s , I o w a 5 0 3 0 3
" " - # . $ / 0 $ % * 1 & " ' ' / ' # + / , & * + 2 % 3 4 * " 5 . 2 ( 2 3 ' / # 6 * + " 5 . 2 ( 7 *
! " # $ & ' ( " $ ) * + , - + . - +
! " # " # $ $ $ % % & & ' ' ( ' ( * ) ) * + , ! . ) % & ' ( ) * + , / $ 0 1 $ $ $ + ( & $ + % # 2 + ( &
P O B o x 7 3 7
2015 | 2016 GUIDE TO THE
Iowa Legislature
/
2
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
2016 GUIDE TO THE THE
Iowa Legislature ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE Page 4 WHAT CAN MY LEGISLATOR DO FOR ME? Page 5
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP Page 6 MEET THE SENATORS Page 8
MEET THE REPRESENTATIVES Page 18 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Page 38
SESSION TIMETABLE Page 41
COMMITTEES Page 42 CONTACT INFORMATION Page 58 GOVERNOR & STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS Page 70 WEBSITE RESOURCES Page 72 FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS
The ID Action network was created to give advocates with disabilities the tools, information, and opportunities they need to take action on the issues that are important to them. Legislature combines This Guide to the Iowa Legislature This all of the information advocates need into a single user-friendly resource. This Guide is available at no cost to people receiving infoNET . To become a subscriber, register with the ID Action network at www.idaction.org. We hope that you will keep this Guide Guid e and use it to help with your advocacy efforts. There are many issues facing the Iowa Legislature every year. Lawmakers do not always know how a bill they are voting on will affect the people they are elected to represent. represent. That’s why it is so important to let them know what you think. In the words of a famous author , “It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” We hope this Guide will help you do just that – take notice, and then get up and take action!
Page 73 :;
"89 <=>=?@A #BB=CDAE F ,G)9*
infoNET Guide to the Iowa Legislature (updated 12/14/15)
ABOUT THE IOWA LEGISLATURE
#
THERE ARE 150 LEGI LEGISLATORS SLATORS IN IOWA’S LEGISLATURE. LEGISLATURE.
Some states have more, some some less. Iowa’s Legislature Legislature is made up of two bodies: the Iowa House of Representatives and the Iowa Senate. •
•
There are 100 Representatives serving in the Iowa House of Representatives, Representatives, or the “Iowa House” House” for short. short. Representatives serve two-year terms, so they will be up for election again in November 2016. There are 50 Senators in the Iowa Senate They are elected to four-year terms. terms. Half of the Senators will be up for election in November 2016 (the 25 with even e ven numbered districts), and the other half will face re-election in November 2018 (the 25 that are in odd numbered districts).
WHAT CAN MY LEGISLATOR DO FOR ME?
THE JOB OF A LEGISLATOR LEGISLATOR IS TO REPRESENT REPRESENT THEIR DISTRICT. DISTRICT.
Legislators are elected to represent the people that live in their districts (called (called “constituents”). They have many roles, but they are mainly problem problem solvers. They pass laws, decide how to spend taxpayer dollars, and help h elp solve problems their constituents have with laws or government. The job of legislator legislator is part-time in Iowa. Iowa. The Legislature meets for 110 days in the first year of a two-year term (like 2015), and for 100 days in the second year (like 2016). Your legislators work work at the Capitol from from January to April, but the rest of the time they have other jobs. They are teachers, farmers, insurance agents, and small business owners. Some are are retired, and some some are students. They really are just like the rest of us. HOW CAN MY LEGISLATORS HELP ME?
Legislative districts are drawn so that every Iowa Senate
Your legislator legislator works for the people of your district. district. That
district includes two Iowa House districts. Every Senator represents about 61,000 people, and every Representative represents about 30,500 people.
means they work for you. They are a “public servant” servant” which means they serve the public.
One Senator and one Representative represent you at the Iowa Capitol
•
One in six legislators are new in 2015/2016. 2 015/2016.
•
Democrats control the Iowa Senate by 1 vote.
•
Republicans control the Iowa House by 7 votes.
So if you have concerns about issues affecting you, your family, your community, or the state, contact your legislators. They represent you. Iowa legislators don’t have big offices and large staffs. They have h ave a desk and a nd filing fi ling c abinet on the floor of the th e House/Senate, and a session-only clerk that helps them file papers. That means legislators are easy to find, and respond
personally to calls, emails, and letters. :;
"89 <=>=?@A #BB=CDAE F ,G)9*
infoNET Guide to the Iowa Legislature (updated 12/14/15)
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Speaker of the House: Rep. Linda Upmeyer
Minority Leader: Leader:
Majority Leader: Rep. Chris Hagenow
Minorit rit y Le ader s: s: Ass ista nt Mino
Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Matt Windschitl Majority Whip: Whip: Rep. Joel Fry
Rep. Mark Smith
Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad Rep. Mary Gaskill Rep. Todd Prichard Rep. Sharon Steckman
Assistant Major ity Leaders: Leaders: Rep. Jarad Klein Rep. Zach Nunn Rep. Walt Rogers Rep. John Wills
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS The legislators from each political party pick pi ck leaders. Leaders assign committees, schedule debates, and are in charge of negotiations between House, Senate, and Governor. Right now Iowa has a split Legislature – Republicans Re publicans control the House with 57 votes, and Democrats control the Senate with 26 votes. That means both part parties ies will have to compromise to get something passed. •
•
IOWA SENATE President of the Senate: Senate: Sen. Pam Jochum
Leader: Minority Leader: Sen. Bill Dix
Senate Majority Leader: Leader: Sen. Mike Gronstal
Whip: Minority Whip: Sen. Jack Whitver
President Pro Tempore: Tempore: Sen. Steve Sodders
Minority rity Leaders: Leaders: Assistant Mino Sen. Rick Bertrand Sen. Randy Feenstra Sen. Tim Kapucian Sen. Charles Schneider Sen. Dan Zumbach
Majority Whip: Whip: Sen. Joe Bolkcom
Iowa House of Representatives o Majority Party (Republicans): 57 o Minority Party (Democrats): 43
Assistant Majority Majo rity Leaders: Leaders: Sen. Bill Dotzler
Iowa Senate o Majority Party (Democrats): 26
Sen. Matt McCoy Sen. Amanda Ragan Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm
o
Minority Party (Republicans): 24
infoNET Guide to the Iowa Legislature (updated 12/14/15)
MEET THE SENATORS NEW! SEN. CHAZ ALLEN (D – Senate District 15) JOB: Executive Director, Jasper Co. Economic Development Corp. BACKGROUND : BA International Business & Finance (NW Missouri State); former lobbyist for Iowa Telecomm; Mayor of Newton (2003-12); Board of Directors, Greater Des Moines Partnership & Mid-Iowa Development Fund.
SEN. BILL ANDERSON (R – Senate District 3) JOB: Small business owner (tax/accounting firm) BACKGROUND : AA (Northeast Community College); Army National Guard (8 years); Policy advisor to Congressman Steve King; born and raised in Sioux City. City.
:;
"89 <=>=?@A #BB=CDAE F ,G)9*
MEET THE SENATORS SEN. JOE BOLKCOM (D – Senate District 43) JOB : Outreach & Community Education Director, University of Iowa Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research BACKGROUND: Bachelor’s (St. Ambrose) & Master’s in Public Affairs (UI). Worked in county public health department before elected Joh nson Co. Sup ervi sor (6 yrs .). Chai Chairs rs Prog res sive Sta tes Netw Network ork and is member of FEMA National Advisory Board.
SEN. TOD BOWMAN (D – Senate District 29) JOB : Teacher (political science, sociology, current events & psychology) & coach (wrestling and football) BACKGROUND: BA Social Sciences & Education (Luther College); MA (Western Illinois University); Model UN Director; Service Learning Coordinator; Little League coach.
SEN. JERRY BEHN (R – Senate District 24) JOB: Farmer BACKGROUND : Former Boone County Supervisor; Member of Farm Bureau, Soybean Association, National Rifle Association, business groups.
SEN. CHRIS BRASE (D – Senate District 46) JOB: Professional fire fighter and paramedic BACKGROUND : North Scott High School; EMT Certificate (Scott Community College); Paramedic Certificate (University of Iowa) .
SEN. RICK BERTRAND (R – Senate District 7) JOB: Owner, TARINI Wines and JAR imports; commercial developer BACKGROUND : BS (University of Northern Iowa); Sioux City Community School Advisory Board; Sioux City Arts Center Board; Nylen Cancer Center fundraising committee; marathon runner; formerly in health care sales.
NEW! SEN. TONY BISIGNANO (D – Senate District 17) JOB: Retired (Polk County Human Resources Director)
SEN. MICHAEL BREITBACH (R – Senate District 28)
JOB: Swales Pre-Cast (Partner); Smith Insurance (Partner); TransStar Trucking (Co-Founder) BACKGROUND : BA Accounting (Loras College); volunteer fire fighter and EMT; music ministry at St. Mary’s; Strawberry Point City Council (four years); Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout).
SEN. JAKE CHAPMAN (R - Senate District 10) JOB: Private ambulance company (Operations Director & EMT)
BACKGROUND : Attended Grandview, Drake & UNI; former State Representative (3 terms) and State Senator (1 term, two years spent as Senate President Pro-Tem); Big Brothers/Big Sisters (board member); South
BACKGROUND : ADM High School; AA Business Administration (AIB); two-year church mission in Norway; Young Republicans of Dallas County
Side Cares (member); founder, Nick Bisignano Foundation.
(Founder).
infoNET Guide to the Iowa Legislature (updated 12/14/15)
:;
"89 <=>=?@A #BB=CDAE F ,G)9*
