WEEK 5: 2021 Legislative Session

WEEK 5: 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

State Update

CENTRAL FILING/AG LIENS: SSB 1151/HSB 130- OPPOSE: Passed out of subcommittee in both chambers

Introduced by the Iowa Bankers Assn and Wells Fargo-- includes grain lien + central filing
We are NOT pursuing grain priority lien language
There has not been a compromise between lenders, buyers and farmers
This bill is expansive: it includes all farm products and would require local sale barns, meat processors, grain buyers, etc. to check each farmer they're paying
Central filing would be governed by federal regulations in the Food Security Act of 1985

Pictured above, Tracy Gathman of Two Rivers Cooperative, talking to the virtual Senate subcommittee about the negative impact of central filing. Boyd Brodie of Key Cooperative and Bill Beukema of Stateline Cooperative also spoke during this meeting. Tracy and Boyd were also present at the House subcommittee meeting, pictured below. Photo credit: Matt Caswell of AGP

Thank you to the 50+ participants that showed up to listen, were willing to voice their concerns and reached out to legislative contacts on this bill. I promise, your communication is effective even when these bills pass through the subcommittee. You're being heard and it's making a difference!

BROADBAND GRANTS: HSB 133/SSB 1089- SUPPORT: Passed out of House subcommittee, Senate sub is scheduled for next week

The Governor's broadband bill provides a tiered approach to grant funding based on current broadband access/capabilities and has speed requirements
Directs OCIO to update its tiered map once a year
Raises minimum speeds for buildout to 100 by 100
Increases state match to 75% (tier 1: 1-24 megabits per second download/1-2 mbps upload), 50% (tier 2: 25-49 mbps down/3 up), and 35% (tier 3: 50-80 mbps down/no upload requirement)

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT: HF460/SSB 1088- SUPPORT: Passed out of House Committee and passed out of Senate subcommittee

Would allow RECs to trim and cut trees near powerlines to provide reliable service

PRIZE-LINKED SAVINGS:HF 359/SF 86- SUPPORT: Passed out of House Committee

Allows awards incentivizing and gamifying savings for Iowans at all lending institutions

THE GOVERNOR'S RENEWABLE FUEL BILL: HSB 185/SSB 1179- UNDECIDED

Summary from the Governor's office below

PROPANE & NATURAL GAS SALES: HSB 166/ SSB1126- SUPPORT: Passed out of House subcommittee

Prohibits counties/cities from regulating the sale of natural gas and propane

Do you want to listen to a legislative recap of the week?

Our legislative YouTube videos can be found HERE.

Find your state legislators HERE.

Federal Update

House Agriculture Committee moves bill providing $16B for pandemic relief

Rep. Randy Feenstra included an amendment that would make crop losses from derechos eligible for disaster payments
It passed 24-23 with support of Democrat, Rep. Cindy Axne

Full Politico article HERE