Legislative session ends but policy work continues

May 13, 2016 | Amazing Innovation: How technology is changing the manufacturing landscape Emily Schettler, Iowa Association of Business and Industry, eschettler@iowaabi.org

Iowa legislators wrapped up the 2016 session at the Capitol in late April, but work for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry public policy team is far from finished.

Over the coming weeks, ABI is hosting regional meetings throughout the state to provide a recap of the session and help companies understand how legislation passed in 2016 will affect their business.

Chief among these is the clarification in the Iowa Code of sales and use tax exemptions pertaining to machinery, equipment, replacement parts and supplies used in the manufacturing process. Join us at an upcoming meeting to learn who benefits from this legislation and the implementation details.

So far, three meetings have been scheduled:

  • May 17: Waterloo
  • May 19: Des Moines
  • May 23: Cedar Rapids 


Visit our Events Page to register for these events and watch for more regional meetings to be added to the calendar. 


In addition to a wrap-up of the 2016 session, ABI’s policy team will provide a preview of the general election in November. There will be 125 seats on the ballot, and it is critical that we work hard to elect legislators committed to sustaining a favorable business climate in Iowa.

Regional meetings are free for members and $20 for nonmembers and include a meal. Encourage a colleague or peer from another company to attend as well, to learn about ABI’s public policy process and the importance of getting involved.

Between now and November, representatives from ABI and other Iowa organizations will interview candidates about important business issues and review incumbents’ voting records as we prepare to endorse candidates ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

At ABI, we are always thinking ahead for ways to help Iowa businesses succeed. With that in mind, make sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming committee meetings, where we’ll set priorities for the 2017 legislative session. It’s never too early to begin preparations. 


Those committee meetings include:

  • August 2: Workplace & Product Safety
  • August 9: Employment & Workforce
  • August 10: Environment
  • August 16: Economic Growth
  • August 23: Tax