Legislative Updates 2020

Iowa Public Airports Association
6/6/2020
Legislative Session Update

Second Funnel Comes

The second procedural hurdle for policy bills came at the end of business on Saturday, June 6.

The so-called “Second Funnel” is the date by which a bill has to be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber - meaning a House File must be approved by a Senate committee and a Senate File by a House committee - to remain eligible for further consideration this year.

Budget ”Woes”

As of Friday evening, lawmakers charged with putting together budget bills (such as Human Services or Education or Ag and DNR) have not yet been told how much money they have to spend. This is not a promising sign for a quick conclusion to the 2020 Legislative Session.

A wise and learned veteran lawmaker reminded those with interests in the infrastructure bill to “beware!” As “Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure funding is the result of gaming revenues, and casinos have been closed for months, there may be little if any money for the Infrastructure Appropriations Bill.” Concern is by no means out of order at this time.

We will keep you updated on the budget.

Bills of Interest
Bills that remain eligible for further consideration are below. Those bills no longer eligible are struck through.
(SF = Senate File, SSB = Senate Study Bill, HF = House File, HSB = House Study Bill)

SF 2196 (formerly SSB 3012) - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
Passed the Senate 50-0. Passed the House 81-14. Signed into law.

HF 2573 (formerly HF 607) - Aircraft Parts and Labor Taxes (F) - The bill would repeal Iowa’s taxes on aircraft parts and labor.
Approved by the House 89-7

HF 2322 (formerly HF 2110) - Quad Cities Regional Authority (A) - The bill allows for the establishment of a bi-state regional authority between Scott County Iowa and Rock Island County Illinois. The bill allows the authority to operate airports and to levy taxes and fees in both counties to support the airport.
Approved State Government Committee; Ways and Means subcommittee: Bloomingdale, Kaufmann and Kurth

SF 2259 - Emergency and Fire Department Equipment Donations (F) - The bill allows an emergency medical service provider, fire department or municipality to donate equipment to another emergency medical service provider, fire department or municipality.
Approved by the Senate 49-0. Approved by the House 96-1. Signed into law.

Iowa Public Airports Association
5/14/2020
Special Legislative Session Update

CONTACT LAWMAKERS NOW

“The budget chairs are meeting.”

That was the comment made earlier this afternoon during the Legislative Council meeting. In that meeting lawmakers approved the plan to resume the 2020 Session of the Iowa Legislature.

It was also disclosed that budget bills will be put together and considered by the full Appropriations Committees, bypassing the traditional joint House/Senate budget subcommittee process.

Please contact the following members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and tell them:

Appropriate at least $3.5 million for Commercial Service Airport Vertical Infrastructure and at least $2 million for General Aviation Airport Vertical Infrastructure in the Infrastructure budget bill;
The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is draining the resources of airports across the state, both commercial and general aviation
Our state’s airports will be essential components of Iowa’s economic rebound
The viability of many airports is now at stake

Here is the link to the members of the House Appropriations committee:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=88&groupID=695

Here is the link to the members of the Senate Appropriations committee:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=88&groupID=324

Updated Legislative Timetable

Return on Session on Wednesday, June 3
Move the Second Funnel To Friday, June 5
(The “Second Funnel” is the date by which a bill has to be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber - meaning a House File must be approved by a Senate committee and a Senate File by a House committee - to remain eligible for further consideration this year.)
Continue Legislative work beginning on Monday, June 8

Legislative Session Update - 4/6/20

Suspension of the Legislative Session Will Continue

The suspension of the 2020 Session of the Iowa Legislature will now continue until at least April 30.

The leaders of the House and Senate have announced that they will reassess the “pause” in action again near the end of the month.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver issued the following statement: "The Iowa Legislature continues to follow the guidance of the CDC and the Iowa Department of Public Health. It is important for us to continue to lead by example and limit the possible spread of this disease."

We will keep you updated on plans to return to the Statehouse for the conclusion of the 2020 Legislative Session.

Budget (and taxation policy) Talks Are Taking Place!

Despite not being at the Statehouse, lawmakers are using portions of the coronavirus hiatus to work on budget plans.

Coronavirus related spending will likely significantly lower the amount of money available for lawmakers to appropriate to projects and programs.

With that in mind, please contact the following members of the joint House/Senate Infrastructure Appropriations Committee and the leaders of each chamber’s Appropriations Committees and tell them:

Appropriate at least $5 million for Commercial Service Airport Vertical Infrastructure
Appropriate at least $3 million for General Aviation Airport Vertical Infrastructure
The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is draining the finances of airports across the state, both commercial and general aviation
Our state’s airports will be essential components of Iowa’s economic rebound

Here is the link to the members of the joint House/Senate Infrastructure Appropriations committee. Click on the name of the lawmaker to obtain their email address, and in many cases their address and telephone number.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=88&groupID=668

Aircraft Parts and Labor Tax Fairness Fix Needs Your Help Now

Please contact the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the leaders of that Chamber and tell them:

Support House File 2573 is a bill to put Iowa’s family owned aviation businesses on a level playing field with neighboring states
Iowa is losing millions of dollars of commerce and the associated tax revenue to South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri
Bringing back aircraft repair and maintenance business to Iowa is a sure way to help the state’s economy rebound from the coronavirus downturn

Here is the link to the Senate Ways and Means Committee:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=88&groupID=692

Bills of Interest
(SF = Senate File, SSB = Senate Study Bill, HF = House File, HSB = House Study Bill)

HF 2573 (formerly HF 607) - Aircraft Parts and Labor Taxes (F) - The bill would repeal Iowa’s taxes on aircraft parts and labor.
Approved by the House 89-7

Legislative Session Update - 3/6/20

Next Procedural Hurdle Comes In A Few Weeks

The second procedural deadline of the 2020 Legislative Session arrives at the close of business on Friday, March 20.

The so called “Second Funnel” is the date by which a bill has to be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber - meaning a House File must be approved by a Senate committee and a Senate File by a House committee - to remain eligible for further consideration this year.

The exceptions to the rule are appropriations bills (spending) and ways and means bills (taxation.)

Aircraft Parts and Labor Parity Bill Clears The House

The IPAA backed bill to eliminate the state sales tax on aircraft parts and labor has been given the go-ahead by the full House of Representatives.

By an overwhelming vote of 89-7 (with 4 absent) House File 2573 was approved and sent to the Senate.

No word yet on when the Senate Ways and Means Committee will consider this important legislation.

Bills of Interest
(SF = Senate File, SSB = Senate Study Bill, HF = House File, HSB = House Study Bill)

HF 2573 (formerly HF 607) - Aircraft Parts and Labor Taxes (F) - The bill would repeal Iowa’s taxes on aircraft parts and labor.
Approved by the House 89-7

Legislative Session Update - 2/28/20

Funding Fight For Airport Vertical Infrastructure Starts Now!

The focus of lawmakers is now beginning to turn from policy issues to money issues.

Included in the money issues expected to be considered is funding for the General Aviation Airport Vertical Infrastructure program and the Commercial Service Airport Vertical Infrastructure program.

Please send a short email note or call your local State Representative and State Senator along with the members of the Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee, and urge them to:

Increase funding for airport vertical infrastructure programs
The modest increase in funding last fiscal year allowed for needed improvements at airports across the state
The vertical infrastructure programs help airports of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest, in all corners of Iowa

Here is the web link to the members of the Infrastructure Appropriations Committee:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/committee?ga=88&groupID=668

Here is the website to find out who your State Senator and State Representatives are:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

Special Note - Two lists again this week, with the first being bill that remain eligible for further consideration and the second list, those that did not successfully weather the first procedural deadline.

Bills of Interest
(SF = Senate File, SSB = Senate Study Bill, HF = House File, HSB = House Study Bill)

SF 2196 (formerly SSB 3012) - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
Passed the Senate 50-0

HF 2573 (formerly HF 607) - Aircraft Parts and Labor Taxes (F) - The bill would repeal Iowa’s taxes on aircraft parts and labor.
On house debate calendar

HF 2213 (formerly HSB 516) - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
On House debate calendar

Bills that did not clear the first procedural hurdle of the 2020 Legislative Session:

SF 2002 - Transportation Commission Membership (M) - The bill changes the makeup of the State Transportation Commission to be on a regional basis, with the state divided into seven regions.
Approved by subcommittee

SSB 3086 - Firefighting Foams (A) - The bill prohibits the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl. The bill exempts the use of such substances in response to an emergency firefighting operation or as part of training or testing provided the testing or training location has implemented appropriate containment, treatment and disposal methods.
Subcommittee: Johnson, Rozenboom and Taylor

HSB 553 - Firefighting Foams (A) - The bill prohibits the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl. The bill exempts the use of such substances in response to an emergency firefighting operation or as part of training or testing provided the testing or training location has implemented appropriate containment, treatment and disposal methods.
Subcommittee: T. Moore, Bacon and Hunter

Legislative Session Update - 2/21/20

First Procedural Deadline Passes

The so called “First Funnel,” the day by which bills must be approved by one committee in the bill’s chamber or origin to remain eligible for continued consideration, is today. This day is the first procedural hurdle of the 2020 Session of the Iowa Legislature.

There are three types of bill’s exempt from the procedural rules. Bills in the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means Committee and Government Oversight Committee are not governed by procedural deadlines requiring committee approval by specific dates.

The next milestone comes on March 20th. That is the day by which a bill must be approved by at least one committee in the chamber not if its origin. So as an example, a House proposal needs to be given the go-ahead by a Senate committee to remain eligible for further consideration this year.

Special Note - Two lists this week, with the first being bills that remain eligible for further consideration and the second list, those that did not successfully weather the first procedural deadline.

Bills of Interest
(SF = Senate File, SSB = Senate Study Bill, HF = House File, HSB = House Study Bill)

SF 2169 (formerly SSB 3012) - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
On Senate debate calendar

HF 2213 (formerly HSB 516) - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
On House debate calendar

HF 607 - Aircraft Parts and Labor Taxes (F) - The bill would repeal Iowa’s taxes on aircraft parts and labor.
Approved by subcommittee

Bills that did not clear the first procedural hurdle of the 2020 Legislative Session:

Legislative Session Update - 2/7/20

Bill To Eliminate Taxes On Aircraft Parts Clears First Hurdle

On a 3 to 0 vote, the House subcommittee assigned to consider House File 607, gave its go ahead to the bill to end the sales and use tax on airplane parts and labor.

Currently Iowa airports, FBOs and airplane maintenance providers are at a competitive disadvantage with surrounding states who do not charge sales and use taxes as Iowa continues to do.

The bill now moves on to consideration by the full House Ways and Means Committee. No word yet on when that vote may take place.

Bills of Interest
(SF = Senate File, SSB = Senate Study Bill, HF = House File, HSB = House Study Bill)

SSB 3012 - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
Approved by subcommittee

HF 2213 (formerly HSB 516) - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
On House debate calendar

HF 2110 - Quad Cities Regional Authority (A) - The bill allows for the establishment of a bi-state regional authority between Scott County Iowa and Rock Island County Illinois. The bill allows the authority to operate airports and to levy taxes and fees in both counties to support the airport.
Approved by subcommittee

HF 607 - Aircraft Parts and Labor Taxes (F) - The bill would repeal Iowa’s taxes on aircraft parts and labor.
Approved by subcommittee

Legislative Session Update - 1/31/20

Bill To Eliminate Taxes On Aircraft Parts Ready To Take Flight

Next Thursday, a House subcommittee will meet to consider House File 607 the IPAA initiated bill to end the sales and use tax on airplane parts and labor.

Currently Iowa airports, FBOs and airplane maintenance providers are at a competitive disadvantage with surrounding states who do not charge sales and use taxes as Iowa continues to do.

The subcommittee is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am in the House Lounge.

The members of the subcommittee are:

Rep. Dave Maxwell - dave.maxwell@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Mary Gaskill - mary.gaskill@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Joe Mitchell - joe.mitchell@legis.iowa.gov

Bills of Interest
Special Note - A small amount of bills introduced last year have been reassigned subcommittees and may be considered this year, that is why some bills with three digit numbers appear on this bill list.
(SF = Senate File, SSB = Senate Study Bill, HF = House File, HSB = House Study Bill)

SSB 3086 - Firefighting Foams (A) - The bill prohibits the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl. The bill exempts the use of such substances in in response to an emergency firefighting operation or as part of training or testing provided the testing or training location has implemented appropriate containment, treatment and disposal methods.
Subcommittee: Johnson, Rozenboom and Taylor

SSB 3012 - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
Approved by subcommittee

HF 2213 (formerly HSB 516) - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
On House debate calendar

HF 607 - Aircraft Parts and Labor Taxes (F) - The bill would repeal Iowa’s taxes on aircraft parts and labor.
Subcommittee; Maxwell, Gaskill and Mitchell

HSB 553 - Firefighting Foams (A) - The bill prohibits the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl. The bill exempts the use of such substances in in response to an emergency firefighting operation or as part of training or testing provided the testing or training location has implemented appropriate containment, treatment and disposal methods.
Subcommittee: T. Moore, Bacon and Hunter

Legislative Session Update - 1/24/20

PFAS Bill Introduced in House

House Study Bill 553 was introduced Thursday afternoon. The bill seeks to prohibit the use of perfluoroalkyl and substances containing perfluoroalkyl.

The bill does provide an exception for emergency firefighting and training.

What the bill appears to lack is protection for airports with military operations. Specifically the bill requires the location of any tests or training using perfluoroalkyl substances to be responsible for the containment, treatment and disposal methods. As currently written the bill places the responsibility on the “location,” which would be the airport.

No word yet on when a subcommittee meeting on the bill may be scheduled.

SSB 3012 - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
Approved by subcommittee

HF 2110 - Quad Cities Regional Authority (M) - The bill allows for the establishment of a bi-state regional authority between Scott County Iowa and Rock Island County Illinois. The bill allows the authority to operate airports and to levy taxes and fees in both counties to support the airport.
Referred to State Government

HSB 553 - Firefighting Foams (M/A) - The bill prohibits the use of Class B firefighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl. The bill exempts the use of such substances in in response to an emergency firefighting operation or as part of training or testing provided the testing or training location has implemented appropriate containment, treatment and disposal methods.
Subcommittee: T. Moore, Bacon and Hunter

HSB 516 - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
Approved by subcommittee

Legislative Session Update - 1/17/20

Governor Proposes Airport Vertical Infrastructure Funding

Included in Governor Kim Reynolds’ proposed budget for the 2021 fiscal year is continued funding for general aviation and commercial service airport vertical infrastructure.

The Governor is proposing the following:

Commercial Service Airport Vertical Infrastructure - $1.5 million
General Aviation Airport Vertical Infrastructure - $1.0 million

Shameless Plug!!!

My wife, Kathie Obradovich is now Editor-In-Chief of the Iowa Capital Dispatch. To receive the Iowa Capitol Dispatch’s “Daily Dispatch” each morning for free, sign up at the Dispatch’s website: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/

Bills of Interest (or at least some interest…)
Special Note - A small amount of bills introduced last year have been reassigned subcommittees and may be considered this year, that is why some bills with three digit numbers appear on this bill list.
(SF = Senate File, SSB = Senate Study Bill, HF = House File, HSB = House Study Bill)

SSB 3012 - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
Subcommittee: Brown, Lykam and Nunn

HSB 516 - Cell Tower Citing Law Extension (M) - The bill extends the date on which the current cellular tower citing law is repealed from 2022 to 2025.
Subcommittee: Sorensen, Lohse and McConkey

Legislative Updates 2019

Iowa Public Airports Association
End of Session Report

2019 Legislative Session Comes to an End

After a four day stretch of nearly 12-hour long days, the 2019 edition of the Iowa Legislature finally concluded its work during the afternoon of Saturday, April 27.

The battle over how much to spend on health care programs and what, if any tax credits, would be approved were the focus of much of the consternation and deliberations that punctuated the ending days and hours.

Governor Reynolds has until the end of May to either veto or sign into law the bills that were passed by both chambers.

We will keep you updated on any action taken by the Governor on bills of interest.

Airport Vertical Infrastructure Funds Increased!

The Infrastructure spending plan agreed to by the House and Senate, and sent to Governor Reynolds, includes an increase in funding for the commercial service and general aviation airport vertical infrastructure programs.

The final numbers as contained in House File 765 are:

Commercial Service Airport Vertical Infrastructure: $1.9 million (a $400,000 increase)

General Aviation Airport Vertical Infrastructure: $1.0 million (a $300,000 increase)

Thanks again to all the IPAA members who contacted their area lawmakers about the infrastructure needs at Iowa’s airports!

Legislature Takes A Pass on New Tax Credits This Session

In a rather unusual move, the House and Senate did not enact any new tax credits nor did they eliminate any current taxes.

As you may recall the House Ways and Means Committee gave its approval to legislation to eliminate the tax on parts and repairs of aircraft.

The IPAA, with the assistance of AOPA and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, was able to keep the elimination of the aviation taxes in consideration until the final hours of the last day of the 2019 Session.

We will continue to work with lawmakers to eliminate this taxation disadvantage. Iowa’s FBOs, airports and aviation mechanics deserve a level playing field with neighboring states.

Flood Recovery Funds Approved

In response to the devastating flooding experienced in western Iowa, $15 million dollars are being appropriated to help political subdivisions recover.

As part of the Senate File 638, the Standing Appropriation Bill, the money is being directed to the state’s Flood Mitigation Board for use in projects that support flood recovery, flood response and/or flood prevention.

Any IPAA member who sustained damage due to the recently spring flooding are encouraged to contact the state Flood Mitigation Board to make application.

Other Bills Sent To The Governor:

HF 487 (formerly HSB 155) - Emergency Communications Towers (M) - The bill provides that an authority, or governing body authorized to make decisions relative to a communications tower application, shall not reject an application for the installation of a tower or transmission equipment in the unincorporated area of a county with a population of less than 15,000, except for on certain residential or historical property, upon written confirmation from the chairperson of the statewide interoperable communications system board or the governor’s designated single point-of-contact for the first responder network authority activities in Iowa, or the chairperson’s or point-of-contact designee, that the tower or equipment is intended to be installed and used as part of the state plan approved under specified federal law for the deployment of the nationwide public safety broadband network or radio access network.
Passed the House 74-20; Passed the Senate 38-10. Signed into law by the Governor.

HF 390 (formerly HSB 45) - Aircraft Registration Return (M) - This bill alters certain notice provisions involving the return of an aircraft’s certificate of registration to the department of transportation.
Under current law, if a registered aircraft is destroyed by fire or accident or junked, and its identity as an aircraft entirely eliminated, or the aircraft is removed and continuously used beyond the boundaries of the state, then the owner is required to return the aircraft’s certificate of registration to the DOT within 30 days, provide an affidavit of the destruction, dismantling, or removal, and make a claim for a refund of the registration fee. The bill strikes the requirement that the owner return the aircraft’s certificate of registration to the DOT within 30 days, and instead requires the owner to provide notice to the DOT within 30 days.
Approved by the House 99-0. Approved by the Senate 50-0. Signed into law by Governor Reynolds.

Bills of Interest:

These bills remain eligible for continued consideration during the 2020 session of the Iowa Legislature.

SF 275 (formerly SSB 1009) - Threat of A Targeted Attack (F) - This bill establishes the criminal offenses of assault by threat of a targeted attack and provides penalties. Specifically the bill provides that any person who threatens to cause serious injury or death to persons assembled in a public place, school building, or any occupied structure other than a single-family residence which thereby places such persons in reasonable apprehension of serious injury or death, or who threatens to commit such an act under circumstances raising a reasonable expectation that the threat will be carried out, commits a class “D” felony.
Passed by the Senate 47-2. Approved by the House 96-0 with an amendment to limit the bill to threats of a targeted attack.

SSB 1040 - Demonstrator Aircraft Registration Loophole Fix (F) - This bill limits the period a manufacturer or dealer may operate the aircraft under a special certificate to three years. The bill increases the annual fee for a special certificate from $100 to $400, and provides that a special certificate expires at midnight on October 31 rather than midnight on June 30. The bill provides that the DOT may refuse to issue, or may revoke or suspend, a special certificate if the person making application for, or holding, the special certificate operated such an aircraft after three years of holding a special certificate for the aircraft in violation of the bill.
Approved by Subcommittee

SSB 1039 - UPS-FedEx Taxation Parity (M) - The bill relates to the apportionment of income of an airline and of a qualified air freight forwarder for purposes of the Iowa corporate income tax.
Subcommittee: Feenstra, R Smith and Danielson

HF 607 (formerly HSB 126) - Aircraft Parts Tax Exemption (F) - This bill eliminates state sales and use tax on aircraft component parts permanently attached to an aircraft, including repair or replacement materials or parts, and repair, remodeling, and maintenance services used on an aircraft, aircraft engine, or aircraft component materials or parts.
On House debate calendar

HF 388 (formerly HSB 88) - Demonstrator Aircraft Registration Loophole Fix (F) - This bill limits the period a manufacturer or dealer may operate the aircraft under a special certificate to three years. The bill increases the annual fee for a special certificate from $100 to $400, and provides that a special certificate expires at midnight on October 31 rather than midnight on June 30. The bill provides that the DOT may refuse to issue, or may revoke or suspend, a special certificate if the person making application for, or holding, the special certificate operated such an aircraft after three years of holding a special certificate for the aircraft in violation of the bill. Approved by Transportation Committee.
Approved by Ways and Means subcommittee

Legislative Updates 2020

Legislative Updates 2020

Legislative Updates 2020

CONTACT LAWMAKERS NOW

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