Iowa Institute for Cooperatives
Legislative Update

Katie P. Hall
Director of Government Affairs
khall@iowainstitute.coop
515-292-2667


WEEK 3
January 26, 2018
State Legislation:
1.    Broadband Easement:   HSB545 —MONITORING 
·        This bill would allow electric utilities to offer retail broadband using existing electric easement to deliver service
·        Senate version: SSB3055 will be brought up in subcommittee on this coming Wednesday

2.  Water Quality: PASSED IN THE HOUSE: SF512
·        Originally passed by the Senate in April of 2017
·        Vote taken on Tuesday (59-41) and sent to the Governor for signing    
i. Governor will sign this into law next week
ii. Funding of $282 million over 12 years

3.   Tax Reform: UNCHANGED
·        Watching for potential bills that could increase taxes for our members

4.    Balanced Budget:   SSB3089 —MONITORING 
·        Bill cuts ~$52 million from the existing budget
·        Deeper cuts than the Governor asked for

I met with Sec. Bill Northey, Deputy Sec. Mike Naig and Jake Swanson (special assistant to the Sec./legislative liason) this week on his perspective on Sect. 199A. We have a meeting scheduled with Senator Ernst’s Iowa team next week to discuss further. Please reach out to your federal legislators about Section 199A! Call, text or e-mail me if you want that contact information.

Federal Legislation:

1.      Waters Of The U.S. (WOTUS)—MONITORING 
·        Defines the jurisdiction of the EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers over rivers, lakes, etc.

2.      Tax Reform: Unchanged—MONITORING 
·        Section 199A: Monitoring closely and supporting this reform as it is
·        Lots of talk about working together on this: NCFC and NGFA partnership
The Iowa Institute Calendar:
TODAY Jan. 26 : Iowa Pest Resistance Management at the IIC office in Ames
January 30 : Directors Certification—Program 1 in Storm Lake, IA
January 31 : Directors Certification—Program 2 in Storm Lake, IA
February 1 : Directors Certification—Program 4 (yes, 4) in Cedar Falls, IA
February 2 : Directors Certification—Program 3 in Cedar Falls, IA
February 13 : Board Presidents’ Conference &
Legislative update in Ankeny (6pm)
February 14 : Co-op Day at the Capitol in Des Moines

Check out http://iowainstitute.coop/events/ for an updated events schedule.

Have a great weekend,
 
Katie P. Hall
.