Government : Week Twelve of the 2026 Legislative Session

This week marked the twelfth week of our 100-day legislative session, meaning we are quickly approaching the final stretch. In the weeks ahead, our focus will shift to debating remaining legislation—particularly bills returning from the House with amendments, as well as measures from the Appropriations and Ways and Means committees. With the finish line in sight, we are working efficiently to complete our remaining priorities.

As debate continues, we are addressing a wide range of issues—many brought forward by constituents, shaped by recent events in our state, or building on policies passed in recent years. One such bill, House File 2514, passed the Senate unanimously on Monday. This legislation codifies the state’s Child Care Assistance (CCA) pilot program, allowing child care workers to qualify for assistance regardless of income. As we work to expand access to affordable child care, this policy builds on a successful pilot program from previous years. Under the bill, eligible individuals must work at least 32 hours per week in an Iowa child care facility or home, with primary responsibilities involving direct care of children and inclusion in staff-to-child ratios.

Another bill that received unanimous support was House File 2534, which allows shellfish to be regulated as an animal feeding operation and enables Iowans to raise shrimp as a business. We have heard from individuals repurposing agricultural buildings for shrimp production who have encountered regulatory challenges. This bill helps remove those barriers, encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting small business growth across the state.

House File 2564 addresses situations in which a pregnant minor seeks maternal health care but cannot obtain parental consent. This policy aims to balance the health and safety of both mother and child while maintaining parental involvement when possible. Currently, minors may only receive such care without consent in emergencies. This bill creates a pathway for minors to consent to prenatal, intrapartum, or postnatal care when a parent or guardian is unavailable.

We also passed House File 2337, which makes it a fraudulent practice to knowingly misrepresent academic degrees or credentials for personal or professional gain. This legislation responds to issues highlighted last fall involving the former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent and is intended to protect both employers and taxpayers from similar misconduct.

Another priority this week was improving mental health care in Iowa. House File 2543, developed following recommendations from the Subacute Mental Health Care Services Interim Study Committee and input from providers, seeks to expand access and improve quality of care. The bill removes regulatory barriers to admission, accelerates prior authorization reviews, addresses workforce challenges, increases transparency in bed availability for children’s services, and directs Iowa HHS to evaluate expanded psychiatric services at the Mental Health Institute in Independence. This comprehensive approach will help strengthen care while easing pressure on emergency departments and other facilities.

We were also honored to welcome U.S. Senator Joni Ernst back to the Senate this week. A former Iowa state senator, she has dedicated her career to public service and made history as the first woman from Iowa elected to federal office and the first female combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate. Her continued advocacy for Iowa is a source of pride for our state.

With fewer than three weeks remaining in the session, it is critical that we make the most of our time and continue delivering results for Iowans. As we enter the final phase, your priorities remain at the center of our work.

One of the most significant issues still under discussion is property tax reform. For Senate Republicans, a key part of this effort involves diversifying local revenue sources to deliver meaningful property tax relief. As we work to reduce levy rates and ease the burden on taxpayers, we are also considering adjustments to Iowa’s gas tax to provide constitutionally protected funding for roads and bridges.

There has been opposition to this proposal, including misinformation from groups that underestimate the critical role infrastructure plays in economic growth and job creation. While some Iowans may have appreciated promotional efforts like free gas giveaways, it is important to focus on the facts.

Under the Senate proposal, the gas tax would be indexed to inflation but capped at an increase of no more than one cent per year. Additional safeguards are included: if the tax increases for three consecutive years, it must pause in the fourth year, and the legislature retains the authority to halt increases at any time. If this system had been in place last year, the increase would have been just six-tenths of a cent—costing the average Iowa family of four approximately $8 for the entire year.

Recent discussions about gas prices have largely been driven by global events, including conflict in Iran. National data shows that such events have a far greater impact on fuel prices than modest state-level adjustments. Even with recent increases, Iowa continues to have some of the lowest gas prices in the country.

At the same time, Iowa faces serious infrastructure challenges. The state ranks among the worst in the nation for bridge conditions and has one of the highest property tax burdens. A recent Tax Foundation study found that only 53.1 percent of necessary road funding comes from road users, underscoring the need for reform.

The Senate’s property tax proposal addresses these concerns by limiting local government spending while increasing flexibility in how services are delivered. Importantly, gas tax revenue is constitutionally protected, with 53 percent directed to cities and counties specifically for roads and bridges—not for unrelated projects.

Every dollar matters, and we understand that Iowans are carefully managing their budgets. Senate File 2472 is a comprehensive plan designed to provide property tax relief, modernize the tax system, invest in infrastructure, and eliminate property taxes for many Iowans. By taking this approach, we can ensure safer roads, stronger communities, and meaningful financial relief for families across the state.

Thank You District 42!