Week 5 Legislative Recap – February 8 – 12
Activity is ramping up at the Capitol, as the deadline for bills to be introduced by a sponsor passed last week and the first funnel approaches on March 5. IEC is tracking several bills that are moving rapidly, including the Forest and Fruit Tree Exemption (SF 352) and the natural gas and propane requirement bill (HSB 166/SSB 1126).
Bottle bill issues have emerged once again this session, taking many different forms. Of the seven bottle redemption bills that have been introduced only one seems to have any traction. Bottle Redemption (SSB 1160), which attempts to raise the long standing one cent handling fee to a two cent handling fee, passed out of subcommittee last week. While the Iowa Grocery Industry Association and their membership support this bill, the Iowa Beverage Association and distributors are lined up in opposition.