Legislative News

Apr 7, 2022

Iowa Supreme Court Ruling on Work Comp Shoulder Case

The Iowa Supreme Court recently released a pair of rulings dealing with the interpretation of “shoulder” in the 2017 legislation that ABI spearheaded, which made a shoulder injury a scheduled injury. 

Dec 10, 2020

ATRA Announces 2020-2021 “Judicial Hellholes”

The ATRA, a national partner of ABI, recently released its annual report on judicial hellholes.

Nov 19, 2020

ATRA Survey Shows Support for Small Business Relief

ATRA, a national partner of ABI, released a survey on Tuesday that shows a solid majority of both Republicans and Democrats support continued relief for small businesses and others affected by the pandemic.

Oct 1, 2020

Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Preserves 2017 Legislative Changes

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Joseph Cortese II reversed the initial findings of a deputy workers’ compensation commissioner in two workers’ compensation cases that sought to limit the scope of legislation championed by ABI in 2017.

Aug 27, 2020

Opportunity to Join Subcommittee to Review Iowa’s Drug Testing Chapter

The ABI public policy team is putting together a subcommittee of members to discuss and review Iowa’s law related to drug testing. 

Jun 4, 2020

Initial Unemployment Claims Cut in Half from Last Week as State Reopens

IWD announced there were 6,920 initial unemployment claims filed by individuals for the week of May 24-30.

May 28, 2020

OSHA Reverses Guidance; Employers Must Record COVID-19 Cases

In a memo issued on May 19, OSHA announced it would override its April 10 guidance and now require employers to record COVID-19 cases. 

Apr 23, 2020

NIOSH Seeks Input on Workplace Supported Recovery for Substance Use Disorders

NIOSH seeks input on the development of resources and ongoing research on the topic of Workplace Supported Recovery with the goal of helping workers and employers facing the drug crisis in their communities. 

Oct 16, 2019

Insurance Commissioner Approves NCCI Proposal on Work Comp Rates

Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen signed off on the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) Aug. 30, 2019 workers' compensation rate filing with an overall decrease of 3.0%.

Sep 5, 2019

NCCI Proposes Overall 3% Rate Decrease

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) made a rate filing to the Iowa Insurance Division that proposes an overall 3% rate decrease for workers’ compensation from the current rates that were effective January 1, 2019.

Jul 25, 2019

Workers’ Compensation Electronic Filing Launched

On Monday the Iowa Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) implemented an electronic filing system that is accessible to Iowans 24/7. 

Jun 20, 2019

ABI Participates in Annual Workers’ Comp Symposium

ABI Director, Public Policy Brad Hartkopf attended the 57th Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium held last week in Des Moines. 

May 9, 2019

ABI Amicus Supported Recent Positive Supreme Court Ruling

Last summer, ABI submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in Clark v. Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania.

Apr 11, 2019

Workers’ Compensation Legislation Heads to Governor’s Desk

On Tuesday evening, the House passed SF 507 with a bipartisan vote of 55-44. 

Mar 21, 2019

Senate Approves Work Comp Legislation Concerning Idiopathic Falls

On Tuesday afternoon, the Iowa Senate passed SF 507, which states personal injuries due to idiopathic or unexplained falls from a level surface onto the same level surface are not compensable under workers’ compensation. 

Feb 28, 2019

Workers’ Compensation Legislation Advances

On Wednesday afternoon, the House Commerce Committee voted 15-8 in a bipartisan manner to advance HSB 181, which is a bill that seeks to correct a recent Iowa Supreme Court case regarding idiopathic falls concerning workers’ compensation. 

Feb 21, 2019

Idiopathic Falls Supreme Court Case Legislation Introduced

Last fall, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned two lower courts and the state workers’ compensation commissioner in a ruling related to an idiopathic/unexplained fall due to an individual’s medical condition that happened to occur at the workplace.

Jan 31, 2019

Iowa Senate Introduces Medical Marijuana Proposals

Members in the Iowa Senate have introduced legislation that would expand Iowa’s law as it relates to the use of cannabidiol. 

Dec 6, 2018

ATRA Releases Judicial Hellholes Report

Nov 21, 2018

Iowa Supreme Court Ruling Expands Work Comp Claims for Injuries Due to Medical Conditions

Last Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a ruling that could greatly expand the liability of employers, because the decision will allow individuals to file for workers’ compensation for injuries caused by medical conditions.

Aug 16, 2018

NCCI Files 9.2 Percent Rate Reduction for Workers’ Compensation

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is proposing that Iowa’s overall voluntary and assigned risk rate for workers’ compensation be reduced by 9.2 percent. 

Jun 14, 2018

ABI Amicus Supported Brewer-Strong Work Comp Decision

Last week, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in a 6-1 decision with Justice Hecht dissenting that the employer provided necessary medical care and was correct in the denial of healing period benefits. 

Apr 26, 2018

Workers’ Compensation Premiums Reduced Again

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) issued a rate filing for workers’ compensation premiums this week, which declared a 1.9% decrease from the current rates that were effective on January 1, 2018 in Iowa. 

Mar 1, 2018

Iowa Senate Passes Legislation to Enhance the Insurance Fraud Bureau

The Senate on Tuesday debated and passed SF 2305, a bill introduced by Sen. Chapman, to enhance the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau by creating a new workers’ compensation division.

Nov 16, 2017

Rules Committee Highlights Includes Employment Issues

Several rules important to employers were discussed during the Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) this month. 

Aug 31, 2017

It’s Official - Work Comp rates to decrease 8.7 percent January 1st

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen recently approved a rate filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance that will decrease workers’ compensation premiums by an average of 8.7% starting next year.

Aug 17, 2017

Proposed workers’ compensation rates decrease for 2018

The Iowa Insurance Division recently provided notice of an additional reduction in workers’ compensation premiums by 8.7%. The reduction is for voluntary and assigned risks beginning on January 1, 2018 for new and renewal policies. 

Jun 1, 2017

Public Policy Committee Spotlight: Workplace and Product Safety

ABI’s five public policy committees will meet in August to set priorities for the 2018 legislative session. Watch for profiles on each committee in the coming weeks to learn more about the mission and purview of each one.

Apr 6, 2017

Workers’ compensation bill signed into law, goes into effect July 1

Mar 23, 2017

Statute of repose heads to Gov. Branstad’s desk

Mar 23, 2017

Workers’ Comp Watch

At the time of this newsletter, the Iowa Senate has yet to take up the workers’ compensation reform bill. The legislation is on the Senate debate calendar and could be taken up at any time.

Mar 16, 2017

ABI Top Priority Workers’ Compensation bill debated today

The Iowa House is currently debating HF 518, which makes changes to Iowa’s workers’ compensation law. This is ABI’s top priority for 2017, and we are one step closer to seeing this significant bill get enacted.

Mar 9, 2017

Iowa businesses advocate for workers’ comp reform, debate expected soon

Feb 23, 2017

Medical cannabis expansion introduced

Jan 26, 2017

Trespass liability bill advances

Jan 19, 2017

Subcommittee discusses employee drug testing

Employee drug testing was discussed in a three-person subcommittee meeting this morning (Thursday).

Dec 29, 2016

Workplace and Product Safety Committee workers’ comp call is Jan. 3

ABI’s legislative priorities for 2017 include growing Iowa’s skilled workforce and sustaining a competitive business climate.

Dec 22, 2016

Workplace and Product Safety Committee: workers’ compensation call January 3

ABI’s legislative priorities for 2017 include growing Iowa’s skilled workforce and sustaining a competitive business climate.

Dec 15, 2016

ABI Workplace and Product Safety Call

The ABI Workplace and Product Safety Committee will have a call on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Dec 11, 2014

OSHA record keeping, reporting changes effect employers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is implementing changes to what employers must record and report regarding workplace illnesses and injuries.