Partial Ban on Text Messaging
House File 2456 passed with a 65-31-4 vote. This bill makes it illegal to write or send a text message while driving. The bill is very weak as it still allows reading text message while driving, and all the other activities that people do while driving are still allowed. It will still be legal to use a GPS device and talk on your cell phone. A violation of this law is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of $30. If a violation causes serious injury, a court could impose a fine of $500, suspend the driver's license up to 90 days, or both. If a violation causes a death, a court could impose a fine of $1,000, suspend the driver's license up to 180 days, or both. I voted NO on this bill.
The Senate voted to add reading a text message to banned activity. While it sounds better, this bill is still not enforceable.
Insurance Mandates Proposed
There are currently five bills in the Legislature that would implement new requirements on health insurance plans. Typically, state mandates result in higher insurance premiums for consumers.
HF 234 Mental Health Parity would require Iowa-regulated health insurance plans to offer the same level of coverage for mental health and substance abuse as the plan does for physical health issues. This could require insurance plans to cover apathy disorder, internet addiction, and gambling addiction.
HF 2329 Mandated Coverage of Medication Therapy Management would require state-regulated insurance plans to pay pharmacists for counseling customers on the proper use of prescriptions and for overseeing the different prescriptions of a customer.
HF 2404 Mandated Coverage of Audiology Services would require Iowa-regulated plans to cover audiology exams, hearing aids, and ear molds for children under the age of 18.
HF 2410 Substitution of Anti-Epileptic Drugs would require a pharmacist to provide notice to a patient and their health care provider of the intent to substitute a different drug for what the provider prescribed when that drug is used for the treatment of epileptic seizures. Under Iowa law, a pharmacist has the authority to substitute an equivalent drug when it is cheaper for the patient.
SF 2349 Mandated Coverage of Autism Services would require public employee health plans to provide coverage for services to persons with autism.
Education Bills Moving Forward
HF 2295 AEA Task Force would require the Iowa Department of Education to convene a task force to review the mission, structure, governance and funding of the Area Education Agencies to determine if the current model is applicable to the challenges and needs of school districts.
HF 2461 Licensing of Business Managers would require training for new business managers and licensing for all business managers in public school districts. According to the Department of Education, only six states require licensure of business managers.
HF 2462 New Uses for Board-Approved PPEL expands the uses for the board approved PPEL (property tax levy) to include computers, computer related equipment, computer software, technical support services and the cost to repair any equipment including school buses. The fiscal note indicates a potential property tax impact of $2.6 million as 26 districts do not have the board approved PPEL and another eight districts are not levying the maximum 33 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation.
HF 2240 Market Factor Teacher Incentives If funds are appropriated, a school district with a school located in an area with high crime rate may create market factor incentives for classroom teachers. These incentives are designed to attract and retain talented professionals in those hard-to-staff school buildings.
Legislative Forum
Please join us at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 27 at the Farmers and Merchants State Bank in Winterset.
How to Contact Me
I can be reached at jodi.tymeson@legis.state.ia.us, or by telephone at the Capitol 515-281-3221, directly to my desk in the House Chamber 515-281-7615, or at home 515-462-5081. Please send mail to my home at 1524 Highway 169, Winterset, IA 50273, or the State Capitol Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. I appreciate hearing from you.
House File 2456 passed with a 65-31-4 vote. This bill makes it illegal to write or send a text message while driving. The bill is very weak as it still allows reading text message while driving, and all the other activities that people do while driving are still allowed. It will still be legal to use a GPS device and talk on your cell phone. A violation of this law is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of $30. If a violation causes serious injury, a court could impose a fine of $500, suspend the driver's license up to 90 days, or both. If a violation causes a death, a court could impose a fine of $1,000, suspend the driver's license up to 180 days, or both. I voted NO on this bill.
The Senate voted to add reading a text message to banned activity. While it sounds better, this bill is still not enforceable.
Insurance Mandates Proposed
There are currently five bills in the Legislature that would implement new requirements on health insurance plans. Typically, state mandates result in higher insurance premiums for consumers.
HF 234 Mental Health Parity would require Iowa-regulated health insurance plans to offer the same level of coverage for mental health and substance abuse as the plan does for physical health issues. This could require insurance plans to cover apathy disorder, internet addiction, and gambling addiction.
HF 2329 Mandated Coverage of Medication Therapy Management would require state-regulated insurance plans to pay pharmacists for counseling customers on the proper use of prescriptions and for overseeing the different prescriptions of a customer.
HF 2404 Mandated Coverage of Audiology Services would require Iowa-regulated plans to cover audiology exams, hearing aids, and ear molds for children under the age of 18.
HF 2410 Substitution of Anti-Epileptic Drugs would require a pharmacist to provide notice to a patient and their health care provider of the intent to substitute a different drug for what the provider prescribed when that drug is used for the treatment of epileptic seizures. Under Iowa law, a pharmacist has the authority to substitute an equivalent drug when it is cheaper for the patient.
SF 2349 Mandated Coverage of Autism Services would require public employee health plans to provide coverage for services to persons with autism.
Education Bills Moving Forward
HF 2295 AEA Task Force would require the Iowa Department of Education to convene a task force to review the mission, structure, governance and funding of the Area Education Agencies to determine if the current model is applicable to the challenges and needs of school districts.
HF 2461 Licensing of Business Managers would require training for new business managers and licensing for all business managers in public school districts. According to the Department of Education, only six states require licensure of business managers.
HF 2462 New Uses for Board-Approved PPEL expands the uses for the board approved PPEL (property tax levy) to include computers, computer related equipment, computer software, technical support services and the cost to repair any equipment including school buses. The fiscal note indicates a potential property tax impact of $2.6 million as 26 districts do not have the board approved PPEL and another eight districts are not levying the maximum 33 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation.
HF 2240 Market Factor Teacher Incentives If funds are appropriated, a school district with a school located in an area with high crime rate may create market factor incentives for classroom teachers. These incentives are designed to attract and retain talented professionals in those hard-to-staff school buildings.
Legislative Forum
Please join us at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 27 at the Farmers and Merchants State Bank in Winterset.
How to Contact Me
I can be reached at jodi.tymeson@legis.state.ia.us, or by telephone at the Capitol 515-281-3221, directly to my desk in the House Chamber 515-281-7615, or at home 515-462-5081. Please send mail to my home at 1524 Highway 169, Winterset, IA 50273, or the State Capitol Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. I appreciate hearing from you.
