Rep. Taylor Collins touts bill targeting human smuggling

Unchecked illegal immigration has led to a large amount of human trafficking and smuggling throughout the country. House Republicans are working to address this issue and protect people with House File 572, a bill to criminalize the smuggling of people in Iowa.

House File 572 defines what qualifies as smuggling, including using vehicles transport individuals while concealing them from law enforcement, encouraging illegal entry into the country, or guiding individuals onto private property without consent. By categorizing smuggling as a class “C” felony, the legislation makes it clear human trafficking and smuggling will be dealt with harshly in Iowa. If a person being smuggled is put at risk of serious harm, if minors are involved, or if firearms used, the crime is a class “B” felony. In the most severe cases, where smuggled individuals suffer serious injury or become victims of sexual abuse, the offense can be classified as a class “A” felony.

House File 572 is essential for addressing human trafficking, and illegal immigration. The legislation empowers law enforcement to take decisive action against those who engage in smuggling, thereby safeguarding potential victims and promoting a safer environment for all. Additionally, the bill enhances public safety by targeting individuals who may contribute to broader criminal activities associated with smuggling.

The bill has passed the house with bipartisan support, it is currently assigned to a subcommittee in the Senate and will need to move through committee before next week to survive the second funnel.

House Republicans Strengthen Election Integrity

Last week the Secretary of State issued a press release announcing the completion of their audit of Iowa’s voter registration lists. After gaining access to the federal database that had been denied under the Biden administration, the result confirmed that there were 277 noncitizens who were registered to vote. Before the November election, to enforce both state and federal election laws, the SOS office sent the names to precinct election officials and directed county auditors to have precinct election officials challenge the ballots of those individuals. This action led to a federal lawsuit filed by the ACLU and the United Latin American Citizens of Iowa (ULAC). A federal judge denied the request and allowed the list to be used.

Of these 277 noncitizens, it has been confirmed that 40 casted ballots and 35 of those ballots were counted. This week the House Republicans passed House File 954. Division IX of the bill the issue of citizenship verification is strengthened and helps ensure that the Secretary of State and county auditors in Iowa are not solely reliant on the federal government to confirm a potential voter’s citizenship status. The bill will now provide tools and codify policies to catch noncitizens within days of registering to vote. A status code for voter registration records designated as "unconfirmed" will ensure that ballots are not given to any potential voters who within the system has not confirmed their citizenship status.

The bill codifies and directs the sharing of information between state agencies and other states. The bill also expands reasons to cancel a voter’s registration to include citizenship status and allows challenges of voter’s qualifications to include questioning citizenship status.

House Passes Legislation on Work and Nutrition Assistance

This week, the House passed bills on work requirements for Medicaid expansion and food eligible for nutrition assistance.

House File 748 requires the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to request federal approval to include work requirements as a condition of maintaining eligibility for Medicaid expansion in Iowa.

This bill ensures that able-bodied adults are working. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, over 100,000 Iowans on Medicaid expansion are not working.

Medicaid expansion has only existed in Iowa for 10 years. This program is a safety net for low-income Iowans but is not intended to be a forever government dependent program.

There is dignity in work. Not only from the financial stability it provides, but the sense of purpose, the skills you learn from completing a job, creating good life habits of being on time and acting professionally and respectfully to all, providing a good example to your children. Also, our society has mostly tied health insurance with employment.

House File 970 requires healthy food based on necessary nutrition in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

According to a 2016 USDA study of foods purchased with SNAPs funds, 20 cents of every dollar was spent on sweetened beverages, desserts, salty snacks, candy and sugar. Sweetened beverages made up the 2nd most purchased category and prepared desserts was the 5th most purchased category.

SNAP already limits recipients from purchasing hot foods intended for immediate consumption, as well as alcohol. This bill builds on that work.

Iowa currently ranks 11th in the nation for adult obesity. One in six children in Iowa are considered obese. Obesity leads to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease.

This bill incentivizes better eating habits, and the state is willing to put additional support to those healthy choices by providing a $1 million appropriation in this bill to support additional purchases of fruits and vegetables through the Double Up Food Bucks Program.

University Faculty Attack Higher Education Bills

The University of Northern Iowa’s faculty labor union issued a press release this week announcing its opposition to several bills approved the Iowa House: HF 269, HF 295, HF 40.

HF269 ensures that no student is forced to take courses promoting ideological activism, such as critical race theory or diversity, equity, and inclusion. It reduces institutional focus on DEI and increases the focus on academics.

HF 295 allows universities to seek accreditation beyond the DEI-focused Higher Learning Commission. DEI favors certain racial groups over others in hiring, promotions, or resource allocation.

HF401 establishes undergraduate general education requirements across Iowa’s regent universities. It mandates that core curriculum courses do not distort historical events or promote identity politics.

Curricula have become platforms for pushing social justice, identity politics, and political agendas.

Public Safety Bills Await Action in the Senate

HF 871 — Disposition of Firearms: Legal firearms and ammunition must be sold at public auctions. Firearms can only be destroyed if unsold or unsafe.

HF 918 — Financial Liability Coverage: Vehicle owners must certify valid insurance when registering vehicles. Fines increase for repeat violations. Effective Dec. 1, 2028.

HF 901 — Law Enforcement Lateral Transfer: Veterans with military police or federal law enforcement experience can transfer into Iowa law enforcement with Iowa-specific orientation.

Property Tax Cut for Childcare Centers

House Study Bill 316 reclassifies commercial child care centers to receive the residential rollback for property taxes. Current law applies a 90% rollback. This bill changes that to 47.4%.

Applicants must file with the assessor by July 1. If the property stops being used as a child care center, taxes will be owed back.

Senate Passes Protection of Employee Disclosures

Senate File 308 protects employees of non-governmental employers who disclose information to the general assembly. Employers cannot retaliate. Disclosures remain confidential. Employees may seek reinstatement and damages.

This work has been edited for space constraint.