CHRISTIAN COALITION OF IOWA       

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Norm Pawlewski – Lobbyist

February 21 – February 25, 2005

            As we reported in our last legislative e-mail Joint Resolution #1, which would define marriage in Iowa’s Constitution as the union of one man and one woman has been introduced and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.  There are 21 representatives on the committee, 12 Republicans and 9 Democrats.  We have talked to each of them.  Eleven Republicans have agreed to vote for H.J.R.1 which is sufficient to advance the bill to the House Calendar.  First, however, the bill must be assigned to a three member sub-committee.  A majority (2 members) must bring the bill up to the full committee.  The sub-committee should be named this week.  Should contact with members of the sub or full committee become necessary, we will alert you and outline a plan of action.

            Several other bills introduced this week are worthy of attention, support and action.

            House File 376  Family Planning Grants – submitted by Representative Steven Lukan.  Prohibits the use of family planning grants to subsidize abortion costs, or the payment of such grants to organizations that perform abortions or list abortions as part of a continuum of family planning services.  Requires that an organization that receives grants be independent of any organization that performs abortions.  Requires that grant receiving organization maintain appropriate records to show compliance.  This bill has been assigned to the Human Resources Committee.

            House File 380 Unborn Child Pain Act – submitted by Representative Steven Lukan.  Creates the Unborn Child Pain Awareness and Prevention Act.  Requires that a woman be informed of possible pain to the fetus 24 hours prior to the performance of an abortion.  Requires that materials on the subject be available for the woman to review.  Requires the woman certify that the materials have been made available to her.  Requires the doctor to inform the woman if any possible pain to the fetus be alleviated.  Makes exceptions for medical emergencies.  Establishes penalties and civil remedies.  Contains other related provisions.  (an identical companion bill Senate File 186 has been submitted by Senator Jim Seymour).  Both bills have been assigned to the Human Resources Committee in their respective bodies, House and Senate.

            When these bills are assigned to a sub-committee and we have a better read on their viability we will let you know how you can help to get these bills on the calendar.

            We are following several other bills:

            House File 270 by Rep. Mascher – An act extending the stature of limitations for criminal offenses related to sexual abuse.

            House File 74 by Rep. Carroll – An act establishing parenting plans and providing an effective date.

            House File 124 by Rep. Van Engelenhoven – An act relating to the sales of beer kegs by requiring an identification number on each keg of beer, recording of the purchase of beer by the keg, and providing penalties.  (House File 67 is similar to House File 124.)

            House File 187 by Rep. Lukan – An act relating to parental consent prior to the performance of an abortion on a minor, and providing penalties.

            House Study Bill 93 by Rep. Baudler – An act relating to certain penalties for the crime of domestic abuse assault.

            House File 156 by Rep. Ford – An act relating to dependent adult abuse and providing criminal penalties.

            House File 342 by 46 Representatives – An act relating to the establishment of a prescription drug assistance program by the commissioner of insurance and providing for a contingent appropriation.

            House File 190 by Committee on Human Resources – An act expanding the duties of the child death review team and making a penalty applicable. 

            House File 320 by Rep. Carmen Boal (and others) – Allows an individual tax credit up to $500 for single filers and up to $625 for married filers for voluntary contributions made to a federally tax exempt school tuition organization.  Sets requirements for donations.  This bill is favored by Iowa’s Christian Schools. 

            Christian Coalition of Iowa is registered as in support for each of the preceding bills.  Each of these bills must be reported out of the committees in the House or Senate by March 11^th, the first funnel day.  If they are not on the House or Senate calendar by March 11^th, they are more than likely dead for this year.

            Our next report will include additional bills in which CCI has an interest.