It was a busy week at the Capitol on week 11 with debate over subjects like Home Rule for local school boards in the House and a new firework bill in the Senate. This year has been one of the most controversial years in Iowa’s and the nation’s history. Iowa lawmakers have already made major changes to the following: collective bargaining for public employees, Voter ID, workers compensation, and firearms. That doesn’t even include upcoming bills to do with The Des Moines Water Works, Planned Parenthood funding, and the extremely low budget projections for the state. There are only a few weeks left in this years legislative session with multiple things to still be completed.

Home Rule:

With the idea that no two schools are alike, lawmakers are trying to give school boards and local communities more flexibility when it comes to governing their districts. HF564 and HF565 loosened funding restrictions and allow local school boards to make decisions based on the needs of their students, teachers and community.

Currently school boards operate under Dillon’s law, which only allows the school districts to govern with powers given to them by the State. HF573 will lift those restrictions and allow the locally elected school board officials to make decisions that benefit their schools directly if not already addressed in Iowa Code. These bills are currently heading to the Senate.

FireWorks:

Debate over a firework bill in the Senate got heated between Republicans and Democrats this week with one Senator even insulting another over their religion. The bill ended up passing the Senate with a 34-14 vote. KCCI reports: “Republican Senator Jake Chapman sponsors the bill. Chapman said the bill would allow the sale and display of fireworks from June 1-July 8 and December 10-January 3.

‘The bill will allow Americans to celebrate the 4th of July in the same manner all Americans are permitted to celebrate,” Chapman said. “It’s time we join the other 42 states and the District of Columbia in allowing Iowans to join the celebration.’”

This bill will now head to the Iowa House where it is expected to pass.