Amendment Declaring No Right to Abortion Clears Iowa Senate Committee

The Iowa Senate State Government Committee passed an amendment to the Iowa Constitution that declares there is no constitutional right to abortion. by a 10 to 5 vote.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act Advances in Iowa Senate

Iowa’s version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) survived the first funnel week of the 2018 legislative session. SSB 3171, sponsored by State Senator Julian Garrett (R-Indianola) was passed out of the Iowa Senate Local Government Committee by a 7 to 4 vote.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act Filed in the Iowa Senate

A bill entitled the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, was filed in the Iowa Senate on Thursday.  The bill is modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 that was passed with bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton.

K-12 Education Bills of Note Before Iowa Legislature Early in 2018

Shane Vander Hart provides a round-up of K-12 education bills of note that are before the Iowa House and Iowa Senate Education Committees after the first week of the 2018 session of the 87th Iowa General Assembly.

Iowa Lawmakers Reach for Local Control of Education

There have been several bills filed in the Iowa House and Senate this year dedicated to devolving the power and control the Iowa Department of Education.

A Wave of Pro-Life Bills Filed in the Iowa Senate

The Iowa Senate with its new GOP majority have six pro-life bills filed including bills defunding abortion providers and banning abortions at 20-weeks.