The sixth week of the legislative session was the busiest week I had yet. On Wednesday, we finished passing our Technology bills from the Senate through committee. A lot of thought and preparation was done beforehand, to ensure that the best legislation was being passed and the others had more work done on them.
One bill that didn’t go through the Technology Committee but is still important is House File 3140. This legislation focuses on verifying residency for SNAP benefits. Iowans value helping neighbors who are facing poverty, disability, or challenges that come with aging. This bill is designed to safeguard those resources for the people who truly need them. By requiring Iowa HHS to use the federal SAVE database to confirm eligibility, the state would align with federal law, reduce fraud and error rates, and help avoid costly federal penalties.
We also reviewed Senate Study Bill 3163, which addresses Iowa’s higher education system. The bill would create a common course numbering system between community colleges and state universities, making credit transfers more seamless for students. It would also transition traditional remedial math and English classes to corequisite models by the 2028–2029 school year. In addition, the bill updates career and technical education standards to better align with national frameworks in areas like Agriculture, Information Systems, and Health Sciences.
Another proposal discussed this week was Senate Study Bill 3169. This bill would require verification of U.S. citizenship or immigration status for newly hired public employees and for individuals applying for professional licenses. It would also apply to new hires at the county, city, and school district levels. The conversation around this bill follows last fall’s news involving the former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent, whose immigration status and background came under scrutiny. Supporters see this legislation as a commonsense step to ensure proper vetting and accountability when public funds are used for salaries and professional licensing.
We also considered SSB 3134, which would require public buildings to fly the United States and Iowa flags at half-staff when directed by a Governor’s proclamation. If a building fails to comply, the Attorney General could take action on behalf of the state. Flying flags at half-staff is a meaningful way our state and nation show respect during times of tragedy, and this bill seeks to ensure consistency when such proclamations are issued.
Beyond legislation, the week included STEM Day on the Hill, which highlighted Iowa’s commitment to hands-on education. The Nodaway Valley Elementary STEAM team, last year’s STEM BEST award winners, showcased their projects involving weather stations and monarch butterfly lifecycles. Students shared how they partnered with the Department of Natural Resources and participated in local agricultural projects like planting pumpkins. Students from Hull Protestant also demonstrated their STEM coursework, explaining the technical challenges of balancing and flying drones. It was encouraging to see how these programs are preparing students with practical, real-world skills.
In addition, I had the privilege of meeting many students from Career and Technical Student Organizations across Iowa on Thursday. One of those organizations include Future Business Leaders of America, which is the longest existing and one of the largest CTSOs in the country. I met with the collegiate state officers of the organization and learned more about the work that they are doing to prepare students for their future careers.
Learning About Water Quality in Iowa
On Monday, the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee heard from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Department of Natural Resources about their collaborative work with Iowa State University to improve water quality. This continues to be a top priority for Iowans.
With ongoing state and federal support, these partnerships have led to major conservation progress over the past several decades. Iowa now ranks first nationally in several conservation practices aimed at improving water quality. Efforts include soil conservation measures like buffer strips and cover crops, as well as water quality projects such as wetlands and groundwater protection initiatives. When the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy began in 2013, fewer than 400,000 acres were planted with cover crops. Today, that number is approaching 4 million acres, helping reduce runoff, improve soil health, and limit excess nitrogen loss.
Water quality wetlands are another important part of the strategy. They provide large treatment areas, help mitigate flooding, and can reduce nitrogen levels by up to 90 percent. Edge-of-field practices like bioreactors are also helping manage nitrate runoff. In urban areas, conservation projects are slowing stormwater runoff, reducing flood risks, and improving water quality. Since 2015, 138 urban conservation projects have been implemented statewide.
Iowa has made significant progress in improving water quality over the past decade, and continued collaboration with farmers remains essential. Farmers invest their livelihoods in the land and have a deep commitment to protecting it for future generations. Their dedication, innovation, and daily stewardship play a critical role in keeping Iowa’s soil in place and strengthening the quality of our water.
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