March 6, 2008

Employee Choice of Medical Care Advances in Senate and House

Several Bills Survive First Funnel

Water Use Fee Legislation Advances

No Action on Right to Work - Yet

ABI Day on the Hill

Why I invest in IIPAC

Mike Ralston
President
515/235-0562

Public Policy Team:

John R. Gilliland
Senior Vice President, 
Government Relations
515/235-0566

Nicole Molt
Director, 
Government Relations
515/235-0567

Jackie Paul
Administrative Assistant
515/235-0561

For questions regarding ABI Membership please contact:  

Leisa Fox
Vice President, Membership
515/235-0575

ABI ADVISORY COUNCIL

Resources & Links

Iowa Prosperity Project 
for
-Issue Alerts
-Write Your Legislator
-Legislator Voting Records
-Register to Vote

ABI Member Benefit -

For questions regarding the Iowa Prosperity Project (IP2) or your own FREE Prosperity Project Website send an email to:

IP2@iowaabi.org

Upcoming ABI Events - Mark Your Calendar!  For a full calendar of ABI events or to register click here.

March:

Tuesday, March 11^th

 “ABI Day on the Hill”

9 - 4:30:  ABI Policy Committee Meetings & Capitol Visits

June:

June 10^th - 12^th

2008 ABI Convention

Coralville, Iowa:  Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

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Employee Choice of Medical Care Advances in Senate and House

The House Labor Committee on Thursday approved HSB 771 which changes Iowa ’s workers’ compensation system to deny employers’ direction of medical care.  Under the bill, the employee may designate their own “non-occupational” medical provider. Only if an employee does not list a doctor, the employer may be allowed to direct the care for the employee.  Representative Bruce Hunter (D-Des Moines) proclaimed at a subcommittee meeting Wednesday, “This bill will have no impact on work comp premiums.”   All actuarial data of course refutes such a claim.

In a surprise move, the Senate State Government Committee approved legislation Thursday that would allow some public employees the right to select their own medical treatment for workplace injuries.  Reversing 95-years of employer directed medical care in Iowa , SSB 3244 would allow police and firemen in many Iowa cities to get their own care at their employers’ expense.

If you would like to write your legislators to let them know the negative impact of this legislation Click here.

Several Bills Survive First Funnel

The first funnel weeded out some bad for business bills, but several advanced by being approved by at least one legislative committee.  The bills will be assigned new bill numbers and advance to the calendars immediately for consideration by either the House or Senate.  Look for a complete funnel report next week once bills are renumbered.  Here is a list of some of the bills that have advanced:

HF 2142- The private cause of action for consumer fraud legislation passed the House Judiciary Committee on a party line vote Tuesday by striking the bill’s contents and approving only a title stating the General Assembly’s intent is to protect consumers from fraud. 

SSB 3260 - Requires 60 day notice to be given for layoffs or closure of a plant which employs more than 25 workers.  The legislation also requires notice to be given when a company decides to sell the plant/business.

SF 2220/HSB 604 – Unemployment compensation penalty increases on employers for late reports, bad checks and subpoenas.

SSB 3044 – Expansion of eligibility for unemployment benefits by allowing alternative base period, enrolling in training programs, quitting job because of domestic abuse, assisting ill family member and following a spouse with job change.

HF 2402/SF 2160 - Disallow employer the right to collect overpayments of unemployment benefits for failure to participate in initial fact finding.

HF 2375 - Expansion of eligibility for unemployment benefits by allowing alternative base period, enrolling in training programs, quitting job because of domestic abuse, assisting ill family member and following a spouse with job transfer.  Also increases weekly benefits regardless of dependents.

HF 743 – Eliminates use of scheduled members in work comp if claimants believe additional benefits can be achieved through industrial award because of diminished earning capacity.

HF 2403 – Study on merits of Iowa adopting a “living wage”.

HSB 734 – Bottle bill expansion increasing taxes $23 million and increasing redemption handling fees.

HSB 668 – Allows plaintiff to request insurance coverage information prior to filing lawsuit against employer or individuals.

HSB 658 – Allow up to 50% penalty for late payment of medical benefits in work comp.

SSB 3257 – Expand penalty authority of work comp commissioner in cases of denial or termination of medical care.

HSB 673 – Allows for annual cost of living adjustment for permanent total benefits in work comp.

HSB 672 – Allow work comp benefits to be calculated on shift differential pay.

HSB 653 – Expand work comp claims to be made in Iowa for injuries suffered out of state and allow for review and reopening of settlements by claimants if economic circumstances not adequately reflected in settlement.

HSB 742 – Proposed Governor’s bill includes a 25% renewable energy reduction mandate by 2025.  Also establishes energy reduction goals for utilities.

SF 2188 – Requires employers to provide up to four (4) hours unpaid leave for employees wishing to attend presidential caucus.

SF 2219 – Increase contractor registration fees and creates a contractor revolving fund for enforcement by the Labor Commissioner.

SF 2091 – Would ban expiration dates and fees on gift cards and certificates.

SF 2313/HF 2315 –Places a mandate on private health insurance to cover cancer clinical trials.

HSB 717 – Require employees to show an Iowa license or non-operator ID before working in Iowa .  The second division places steep civil penalties on contractors for misclassification of independent contractors including debarment from state projects. 

SSB 3267/HSB 628 – TIME 21 bills that increases truck, trailer and registration fees to address Iowa ’s transportation infrastructure needs for the future.  Revenue expected by 2012, $125 million.

NOTE:  Tax and Appropriation bills are not subject to funnel rules and remain alive until adjournment in late April.

Water Use Fee Legislation Advances

HSB 691 which allows a flat fee for all water permits in the state of Iowa to be collected and the funds returned to the Department of Natural Resources passed the House Environment Protection Committee on Wednesday. 

In addition to legislative proposals, several rulemaking proposals are occurring within the Department of Natural Resources.  To learn more about the proposals ABI is actively engaged in, click here.

No Action on Right to Work - Yet

SF 413 to gut Iowa ’s Right to Work law by allowing public sector unions to collect fees from non-members as a condition of employment has not been considered by the House Labor Committee so far this year.  The bill has already been approved by the Iowa Senate; therefore it remains alive until the next legislative funnel on March 28.  Despite very little talk by legislative leaders about this divisive issue, ABI members are reminded that this bill could emerge any moment or be added as an amendment to another bill.

ABI Day on the Hill

Make plans to attend ABI Day on the Hill on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.  The day will start at the State Historical Building located at 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines with free shuttle service to and from the Capitol.  This is a great opportunity to get caught up on committee details, hear what’s been taking place on the hill since session began and a chance to speak with legislators about issues important to Business and Industry.

Morning Session: Committee Meetings & Capitol Visit

                  Economic Growth & Employment and Workforce

  9:00 - 10:00 Committee Meetings (3rd floor classrooms A & B).

10:00 - 10:15 Shuttle to Capitol.

10:15 - 12 Committee Members to meet with Legislators.

Afternoon Session: Committee Meetings & Capitol Visit

                              Tax & Workplace and Product Safety

1:30 - 2:30 Committee Meetings (3rd floor classrooms A & B).

2:30 - 2:45 Shuttle to Capitol.

2:45 - 4:30 Committee Members to meet with Legislators.

Registration Deadline:  Friday, March 7, 2008 by 3 p.m. 

Click here to register today.

Why I invest in IIPAC

“I contribute to IIPAC, as well as to my company's PAC, out of enlightened self-interest. As long as I work for a living, or expect a return from my investments, I will benefit from a policy environment that is friendly toward business. The best way to get that environment is to support those lawmakers who vote for business-friendly policies. It's really very simple. If we expect them to help us, we need to help them”.

- Steven J. Daugherty

  Director, Biotechnology Affairs

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.

  Centennial IIPAC Contributor

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