Rep. Craig Williams

Williams Weekly Update: June 3

Last week, we listed the 101 bills signed into law by Governor Reynolds through May 23, 2025. Since then, an additional 19 bills have been signed, bringing the total to date to 120.   Those additional bills are listed here by date signed with links to the actual bill if you care to read them. I again tried to thin down the description and underline the most meaningful text of the title.   Another 50 bills remain in the Governor’s hands for signature, veto or pocket veto including HF 639 relating to pipelines and property rights.

Of note in the recent 19 bills signed is SF 608 which updates the grain indemnity fund balances and adds credit sales to the types of grain transactions eligible for indemnity in the event of an elevator closure. The indemnity account is funded by grain growers and not taxpayers. The state administers the fund as well as licenses and inspects elevators in Iowa.

Also of note is SF 369 which requires high school students to pass a US citizenship and immigration test to graduate high school and HF 856 which prohibits public entities from engaging in certain diversity, equity and inclusion practices.   HF 306 increases penalties to adults who disseminate obscene materials to minors. A second offense will get you a mandatory year in prison, while a third offense will get you three years in prison. The prison terms cannot be deferred or suspended. We don’t want to send people to prison. We want to dissuade them from disseminating porn to minors.   The last one I’ll point out is HF 310 intended to help protect health care workers from assault by patients, family members or others.

Signed 5/27/25 SF 462 relating to weapons, including mandatory minimum sentences relating to the control, possession, receipt, or transportation of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon, and the sharing of identifying information of persons prohibited from acquiring a pistol or revolver by court order   SF 608 regulating the marketing of grain, by providing for fees paid by grain dealers and warehouse operators into the grain depositors and sellers indemnity fund, and the payment of claims to reimburse sellers and depositors for losses covered by the fund   SF 278 relating to robotics extracurricular activities, including requiring the department of education to provide technical assistance to school districts related to chartering career and technical student organizations related to robotics and authorizing high school athletic organizations to sponsor interscholastic contests related to robotics.   SF 369 requiring students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas.   HF 1025 relating to certain state highways not designated as part of the interstate road system, including the operation of implements of husbandry on such highways.   HF 835 relating to school personnel training, including by implementing provisions related to emergency care planning, authorizations for assisting, and limitations of liability concerning students with epilepsy or seizure disorder, and requiring the department of education to convene a health care-related training for school personnel work group.   HF 933 relating to pediatric palliative care centers.   HF 393 relating to the Iowa school performance profiles published by the department of education, including how dropout students affect school performance grades contained in the profiles.   HF 300 enacting the physician assistant licensure compact.   HF 303 relating to prior authorization and utilization review organizations.   HF 901 relating to the law enforcement academy, including military veterans with active duty military police experience and former federal law enforcement officers.   HF 615 relating to the offense of intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or service-animal-in-training   HF 856 prohibiting public entities from engaging in certain activities relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a private cause of action   HF 889 relating to government employee paid leave.   HF 865 modifying provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students enrolled in school districts or accredited nonpublic schools.   HF 306 relating to the dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors   HF 299 relating to the provision of information relating to immunization exemptions

Signed 5/28/25   HF 310 relating to assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations including a health care provider.   HF 972 relating to health care including a funding model for the rural health care system; the elimination of several health care-related award, grant, residency, and fellowship programs; establishment of a health care professional incentive program; Medicaid graduate medical education; the health facilities council; and the Iowa health information network.

Williams Weekly Update — May 27

Session has ended for 2025 so it’s time to take a look at what the Governor has signed into law, vetoed or pocket vetoed.   A pocket veto happens when a bill is delivered from the House and Senate, but, after 30 days, the Governor has taken no action. The 30 days starts from the time the Governor receives the bill if the chambers passed the legislation in the final days of session.   While the Governor still has until about mid-June to sign, veto or pocket veto bills, 101 bills have been signed into law as of May 23, 2025. All 101 are listed here by date signed with links to the actual bill if you care to read them. I tried to thin down the description and underline the most meaningful text of the title.   In a “normal” session, 200 bills might be signed into law by the Governor. Some of those bills reduce regulations, but many do not.   Also highlighted in this newsletter is a visit to New Hope Village in Carroll. It’s no secret I have a soft spot for this facility and the people it serves. New Hope Village – Carroll I had the opportunity to join representatives for Senator Grassley, Senator Ernst and Congressman Feenstra for a visit to Carroll’s New Hope Village complex on the north side of Carroll Thursday, May 22. You might run into some of the residents around town shopping at a local business, while other residents don’t have that luxury we take for granted. In the new Medicaid portion of the “Big Beautiful Bill” currently in Congress as well as a bill we passed here in Iowa, we look to add work requirements for Medicaid recipients who are able to work. Clearly, some recipients are unable to perform that function. New Hope is hoping an amendment can be made for those who are permanently disabled to avoid constant paperwork to prove what we already know. Another change in Medicaid refers to reimbursement for durable medical equipment (DME). Of concern for New Hope is equipment such as this example (photo from manufacturer’s web site) of a Handicare AP450 ceiling lift used to move immobile patients up to 450 pounds from a bed or chair to another location. Without this, moving some patients is exceptionally difficult as well as dangerous for both patient and caretaker.

As they break down, New Hope is taking parts from others to keep them running. If you have an extra $5,000 burning a hole in your pocket, perhaps you’d consider a donation for new equipment While on the tour, we met briefly with Carroll Mayor, Jerry Fleshner, who is also a local pharmacist. Jerry was kind enough to thank me for my vote on PBM’s – Pharmacy Benefits Managers – which will, hopefully, keep our small-town pharmacies in business. You’ve likely seen the commercials for the new miracle weight loss drug Dynamin-like Protein or DLP1. Because of how PBM’s currently operate, Jerry’s pharmacy loses $20 on every prescription of DLP1. This is just one of many examples. Ultimately, Iowa put a band aid on the PBM issue. Real change will require action from Washington.   Attending the event with me were Jonathan Bladt, Regional Director for Senator Grassley; Brittany Rockwell, Regional Director for Senator Ernst; Jim Oberhelman, Regional Director for Congressman Feenstra; Carroll Mayor Jerry Fleshner and Jenn Quigley, Scot Aden, Stacey Vonnahme, Danielle Fineran, Lacie Tedrow, Camille Muhlbauer, and Cindy Neil, all of New Hope. 101 Bills Signed into Law by the Governor – So Far Signed 2/28/25 SF 418 relating to sex and gender, including those and related terms for purposes of statutory construction, indications of a person’s sex on certain vital records, gender identity under the Iowa civil rights Act, and school curricula related to gender theory.   Signed 3/12/25 SF 171 modifying provisions related to effective date of school district enlargements, reorganizations, changes in boundaries, and dissolutions.   Signed 3/28/25 SF 42 modifying the costs eligible for emergency medical services fund expenditures SF 153 relating to driver age qualifications for certain commercial motor vehicle drivers operating solely intrastate to transport hazardous material. SF 377 prohibiting the consideration of the deployment, implementation, or use of a motor carrier safety improvement when determining a person’s employment status. SF 603 relating to workforce compensation and training, unemployment insurance, and other functions and programs of the department of workforce development, the workforce development board, and local government entities. SF 605 relating to state income tax withholdings on winnings from sports wagering. HF 260 relating to the Iowa lottery. HF 180 relating to the criminal offense of grooming and the sex offender registry HF 182 relating to controlled substances, including certain controlled substances schedules and precursor substances reporting requirements. HF 250 relating to county commissions of veteran affairs. HF 298 relating to the placement of a child who is the subject of a pending delinquency petition in a supervised apartment living arrangement pursuant to a consent decree, and the circumstances under which the placement is paid by the state. HF 181 prohibiting open containers of beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol in the passenger area of motor vehicles on highways. Signed 4/2/25 SF 22 relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while driving.   Signed 4/10/25 SF 75 relating to county supervisors, concerning county supervisor representation plans and county supervisor vacancies.   Signed 4/18/25 SF 397 relating to assaults, including assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations and inmate assaults on department of corrections employees. SF 166 relating to bank utilization of filing services offered by the secretary of state. SF 460 relating to home inspections, including persons authorized to perform home inspections and requirements for independent home inspection reports. SF 266 relating to theft, forgery, and fraud involving a gift card HF 647 relating to the place of trial for certain criminal offenses. HF 363 relating to the final disposition of remains. HF 309 relating to the review by the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing of certain deficient practices by nursing facilities. HF 314 authorizing the waiver of preplacement investigations and reports in certain adoption proceedings. HF 367 relating to family interactions during an ongoing child in need of assistance proceeding. HF 857 relating to solicitation by a financial institution using prescreened trigger lead information from a consumer report. HF 860 prohibiting state and local regulations on fuel-powered equipment based on the equipment’s fuel source. HF 924 relating to the minimum age for acquiring or carrying weapons. Signed 4/22/25 SF 619 relating to the natural hazard mitigation financing program. the disaster recovery housing assistance program, the disaster recovery new housing program, post-loss assignment of benefits, the licensing and regulation of adjusters, appraisers, and umpires, and the Iowa economic emergency fund.   Signed 4/25/25 SF 574 relating to retention of fees for public improvement contracts. HF 381 relating to statutory corrections which may adjust language to reflect current practices, insert earlier omissions, delete redundancies and inaccuracies, resolve inconsistencies and conflicts, remove ambiguities, and provide for Code editor directives. HF 470 relating to alcoholic beverages, including license authorizations, bond requirements, and fee determinations. HF 547 enacting the respiratory care interstate compact. HF 652 concerning county and city regulation of real property and the powers granted to a board of adjustment. HF 785 modifying provisions related to charter school board member requirements. HF 844 relating to eligibility requirements for financial institutions in which public funds may be deposited. Signed 4/30/25 HF 782 relating to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours and school safety plans.   Signed 5/1/25 SF 470 relating to prior authorization for dental care services, notice to dental care providers that a dental care service plan is state-regulated, and the recovery of overpayments by a dental carrier. SF 592 relating to county and city regulation of accessory dwelling units. HF 919 relating to children’s specialty hospital designations for certain nonprofit organizations. HF 645 nuisance actions against racing facilities. HF 879 relating to critical infrastructure sabotage. HF 778 relating to qualifications for a certificate as a certified public accountant. HF 805 relating to the practice of dental assistants without registration by the dental board. HF 887 removing birth centers from the meaning of institutional health facility Signed 5/2/25 SF 275 requiring the director of the department of education to develop and administer a purple star school initiative. HF 117 establishing the national guard service professional qualification scholarship program. HF 118 modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program. Signed 5/6/25 SF 106 relating to the conveyance of firearms in or on certain vehicles. SF 148 relating to special landowner turkey hunting licenses. SF 150 relating to sexual exploitation of a minor. SF 257 relating to the display of a validation sticker on a vehicle registration plate. SF 277 modifying provisions related to compulsory education, truancy, and chronic absenteeism. SF 296 allowing police service dogs to receive emergency veterinary medical services while on duty. SF 398 relating to closing costs for a debt secured by an interest in land. SF 423 relating to deer hunting, including deer depredation and the purchasing of a youth deer hunting license and tag. SF 491 prohibiting the use of remotely piloted aircraft flying over farm property. SF 513 prohibiting a court from ordering payment of a postsecondary education subsidy for a child under a dissolution of marriage temporary order or final judgment or decree. SF 573 relating to motor vehicle glass repair, replacement, and insurance SF 583 relating to school safety by requiring the creation of school safety assessment teams and authorizing information sharing between certain governmental agencies. SF 604 relating to the measurement of units sold for purposes of cigarette and tobacco regulation and taxation. SF 606 relating to electronic filing of sales and use tax returns. HF 710 relating to roofs on private docks and required insurance. HF 793 relating to fire fighter training and certification. HF 994 concerning quarterly reports on and payments of beer barrel and wine gallonage taxes. HF 903 relating to partial payments during construction of a farm-to-market road. HF 392 authorizing school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to apply to the department of education for authorization to maintain a year-round school calendar at an attendance center or school for students enrolled in grades nine through twelve. HF 397 relating to the address confidentiality program. HF 398 relating to the duties of the director of the department of corrections, the board of corrections, superintendents, and district directors. HF 885 relating to deer and wild turkey hunting licenses for disabled veterans. HF 471 modifying provisions related to school concussion and brain injury policies. HF 295 relating to accreditation of postsecondary educational institutions, prohibiting adverse action by accrediting agencies against certain postsecondary educational institutions for compliance with state law. HF 894 relating to the release of liens on snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and water vessels. HF 440 relating to tuition, degree programs, employment, and related matters pertaining to students enrolled at regents’ institutions. HF 316 relating to career education, including middle school career exploration and industry-recognized credential seals and certificates for high school students. HF 532 enacting the dietitian licensure compact. HF 875 relating to health insurers’ credentialing process. Signed 5/14/25 SF 162 relating to the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System’s notification requirements to members. SF 167 relating to school funding by establishing the state percent of growth and the categorial state percent of growth for the budget year beginning July 1, 2025, modifying provisions relating to the property tax replacement payments, modifying provisions relating to the regular program state cost per pupil and funding for shared operational functions. SF 213 relating to library services provided by the Department of Administrative Services. SF 233 relating to the Right to Try Act. SF 303 relating to county and city regulation of consumer fireworks. SF 311 relating to city civil service employees and related procedures. SF 314 relating to the license application form for real estate brokers and salespersons, and brokerage agreement requirements. SF 427 relating to requirements for licensure as a professional land surveyor. SF 449 relating to digital financial asset transaction kiosks. SF 474 relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions. SF 565 providing for the continuation of health insurance in certain circumstances for the surviving spouse and each surviving child of employees of the State of Iowa. Signed 5/19/25 HF 649 relating to human trafficking including services and prostitution. HF 549 relating to the review of an officer-involved shooting case by a county attorney. HF 862 relating to the representation of boards of supervisors and county officials by outside counsel. HF 956 relating to judicial branch administration, including judicial officer residency, judicial officer retirement age, remote proceedings, court reporter supervision and duties, and civil pleadings availability. HF 249 relating to the recovery of benefits inappropriately obtained from the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. HF 573 relating to filing applications and custody of the respondent in an involuntary commitment proceeding. HF 643 requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse a county for the temporary holding of, or confinement of, a sexually violent predator who commits a public offense while subject to an order of civil commitment. HF 776 relating to matters under the purview of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. HF 806 relating to peer review committees and organ procurement organizations. HF 248 relating to the treatment of adoptive parent employees. HF 297 relating to emergency services provided by a city. HF 390 relating to physical examinations of personnel working in licensed or registered childcare facilities. HF 441 concerning the functions of the Employment Appeal Board; the workers’ compensation commissioner; and the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing relating to contested cases, judicial review, and liability. HF 472 creating a special motion for expedited relief in actions involving the exercise of the right of freedom of speech and of the press, the right to assemble and petition, and the right of association.

Williams Weekly Update: May 21

Sine Die, a Latin word pronounced See-Nay Dee-ay, means, “Without fixing a day (for further action)” and signifies the end of the session.   The final week of session and overtime was a busy one. The last day started at 8:30 AM Wednesday and completed at 6:30 AM on Thursday morning.   The standoff in the Senate regarding property rights concluded Monday evening, clearing the way for budget bills and appropriations in both the House and Senate. Debate in the Senate was extremely contentious, and some relationships in the legislature have been fractured. There are some very good, very smart people involved on both sides of a complicated issue.

I’m not surprised, but disappointed we didn’t find a miraculous cure for the property tax issues. It’s a 50-year-old monster that’s not going to be tamed easily. Property taxes and expenditures are determined by your county, city and school district. Each of those entities have unique situations where a positive change in one, is a negative change in another. It’s better to work a little longer on a cure than to make a bad decision.

36 bills were approved in the House this week including all of the individual budget bills. Of course, none of the bills matter without the Governor’s signature.

Water Issues in the District

Imagine turning on the faucet and the water is pink. Not just a little pink. We’re talking PINK! That’s what is happening in Kimballton, Iowa. The water tower lost pressure and sodium permanganate was fed in causing the discoloration. Sodium permanganate converts metals like soluble iron and manganese into insoluble particles which are then easier to filter out. It also helps control bacterial growth and algae. Too much sodium permanganate turns the water pink, or even purple.

Upon hearing about the situation, Hy-Vee, whose nearest store is 15 miles west in Harlan, Iowa, delivered 17,000 bottles of water to the fire station for distribution to residents.

Unrelated, but surrounding Kimballton, is a water shortage issue with Regional Water where a boil order and “Level Red” advisory are in effect. Impacted are Avoca, Persia, Panama, Portsmouth, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Earling, Exira and Brayton, Iowa. I visited with local officials in Exira Friday morning to check on the status of immediate needs.

What I found was a group of people completely immersed in the situation with plans for distribution of bottled water, gathering volunteers, communications, emergency fire involving the water at a local quarry, caring for elderly and shut ins as well as the schools. Frustrations are high, but these folks are dedicated to their community. It was impressive. My goal is to remain engaged but to stay out of the way unless they need something I can help with. I think it is safe to assume that once they have the emergency matters in hand, there’s going to be some serious conversations about the long-term water supply issues from Regional Water.

Fireworks

If the Governor signs SF303, citizens will be able to use fireworks on July 3, 4 and December 31 unobstructed by local officials. Proponents argue this is a freedom issue and note the country’s coming 250th anniversary. Opponents argue local control and issues for those with PTSD. It passed 51-39.

DEI – Again

HF856 passed in the House back in March, 61-37, prohibiting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion activities in State entities, community colleges and private institutions of higher learning. The Senate amended it to remove the section regarding private institutions and returned the bill to the House for further consideration. It passed 59-36

Unemployment Insurance

Iowa employers are required to pay into the unemployment compensation trust fund. That trust fund is what is drawn upon when employees receive unemployment benefits.   Over the last 3 years, employers have paid in $450.8M, $444.6M and $474M, while benefits paid out have been $253.9M, $260.5M and $316.4M respectively.   Clearly, we are over collecting to the detriment of Iowa businesses.

HF980/SF607 changes the employer formula to end the overcollection and begin reducing the $2B fund balance – currently the 9th highest in the country. Estimates from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services Agency suggest implementing these changes will still leave nearly $1.8B in the fund in 2030 which is nearly 5 times the estimated annual payout at that time. These changes would still leave Iowa’s base higher than almost every state surrounding Iowa including Illinois. If the balance ever falls below $941M, a new rate triggers, increasing the amount employers pay in to ensure responsible funding.   Despite what Democrats said on the floor, this bill does not cut unemployment benefits, is not corporate theft and does not endanger Iowa workers. On bills like these, it would benefit us to not have media cameras on the House floor.

The Gadsden Flag Plates – Don’t Tread on Me

Brigadier General Christopher Gadsden designed this flag in 1775 during the American Revolution. It was flown by the Continental Marines and is among the most popular symbols of the Revolutionary War. This symbol is on specialty license plates in AL, AZ, FL, KS, MD, MO, MT, OK, SC, TN, TX and VA.

HF974 adds the Gadsden Flag as an option for Iowa license plates for additional fee. It passed 64-26

PBM – Pharmacy Benefits Managers

PBM’s are companies that sit between pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies with a handful controlling a majority of the industry. It’s complicated and confusing. What’s not complicated or confusing is that 200 pharmacies have closed in Iowa in the last decade and more are hanging by a thread.

I think I heard directly from every small pharmacy in my district as to the importance of PBM reform included in SF383. Simultaneous was a full court press opposed to the bill.   One day last week, I was greeted on my way into the Capitol by a crowd of smiling and happy pharmacist protesters. I told them I’m not used to that. Usually, protesters are screaming in my face. One of the pharmacists remarked that’s what I’ll see later in the day if we vote against the PBM bill.   It was funny. SF383 passed 75-15

Bit Coin Kiosks

In February, Iowa Attorney General, Brenna Bird, launched a lawsuit against Bitcoin Depot and CoinFlip, who charge 23% and 21% respectively in transaction fees, over failures that allowed Iowans to transfer millions of dollars to scammers using these ATM like machines.

SF449 limits the fees to the greater of $5 or 15% and requires fraud warnings on the kiosks. The business side of me says that this is overregulation, but the consumer side of me says unsuspecting people are getting scammed. It passed 77-12.

Looking Ahead & Staying Connected   Thank you for the opportunity and trust you’ve placed in me to represent you at the Capitol. It is truly an honor.   Although this session has finally come to a close, we will be back in January for the second half.   Serving you starts with listening to you. Your thoughts, concerns, and ideas are essential to the work we do in Des Moines. If you have questions or input, I encourage you to reach out to me directly at [email protected].   You can also stay up to date by following me on social media.   Thank you again for your continued support and for the opportunity to serve.

Williams Weekly Update — Overtime Week 1 I skipped the “Weekly” last week because the only thing noteworthy that happened in the “final” week 16 in the House was subcommittee appropriations meetings to finalize subsets of the budget. All other activity was behind the scenes trying to figure out major budget differences between the House, Senate and the Governor as well as navigating the Senate standoff on CO2 pipeline issues.   So, that brings us into overtime – week 17 – and I’m late for the “Weekly.”   I don’t mind working overtime, but scheduling is very frustrating. Are we going to be here all week, only for a day or two, or not at all? Typically, in overtime, we find out in the evening if we need to come into the Capitol the next morning. That request is accompanied by a list of bills which may or may not be voted on.   In the end, week 17 wasn’t very eventful, either. 15 bills made the list of House bills to debate. Only 10 of those were debated, and debate was only held in the House on Thursday.  I’ll detail the ones that were not unanimous. Contracts for Purchase by the State and its Agencies Iowa and its state agencies enter into a significant number of purchase contracts annually, each with their own set of terms and obligations. SF297 prohibits terms that do any of the following: Require the state or its agencies to defend, indemnify, or hold harmless another person, or otherwise assume the debtor liability of another person in violation of the Constitution Seek to impose vendor terms that are unknown at the time of signing the contract or can be unilaterally changed by the vendor Disallow a state agency’s representation by the attorney general Grant to any person other than the attorney general the authority to convey the state’s consent to a settlement imposing liability on the state Specify that the contract is governed by the laws of a foreign state or nation Claim blanket confidentiality of the contract’s terms Claim that payment terms, cost proposals or other pricing information are confidential Authorize or require avenue for litigation other than an appropriate state or federal court sitting in Iowa Require a state agency to pay attorney fees, court costs, or other litigation expenses Impose binding arbitration or another binding extrajudicial dispute resolution process in which the final resolution is not determined by the state Waive a state agency’s right to a jury trial Obligate a state agency to pay a late payment charge or interest greater than allowed by Iowa law, or charges that constitute pledges of the state’s credit Obligate a state agency to pay a tax Impose a prior notice obligation on a state agency as a condition for the automatic renewal of a software license Obligate a state agency to accept risk of loss before the receipt of items or goods Obligate a state agency to have commercial insurance Obligate a state agency to grant a contractor full or partial ownership of intellectual property (IP) developed pursuant to a state agency contract when the IP is developed in whole or in part using federal funding Limit the time in which the state or its agencies may bring a legal claim to a period shorter than that provided by Iowa law Include a boilerplate provision in a vendor’s transactional documents that seek to alter or impose new terms in the contract   Additionally, purchasing contracts would be required to include governing law as the laws of the state of Iowa and venue provisions involving state or federal courts within Iowa.   A waiver of a requirement(s) is possible if the director determines it’s the only way possible to acquire necessary goods or services.   I’m not an attorney, but these prohibitions and requirements are logical to me. If any of these terms make it into an agreement, that section is voided by law as if it were not in the contract at all.   It passed 58-26. School Bus Drivers Needed We have a school bus driver shortage in many areas of Iowa. We need good drivers with the skills and sense of responsibility (and probably a great deal of patience) to move our most precious cargo. Potential drivers may be hesitant because training requirements are time consuming. HF395 attempts to thread the needle giving school districts with recruiting issues an option of whether or not to require additional training. Regardless of district, bus drivers are still required to have a CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements.         HF395 passed the House 64-20 Identifying Persons Prohibited to Acquire Firearms Don’t judge a bill by its title. At first glance, SF462 may be troubling which might explain why it passed in the House 69-15 with only D’s voting against and then passed the Senate 46-0. The title states that it’s a bill relating to the sharing of identifying information of a person prohibited from acquiring a pistol or revolver by court order. The entire bill is one line and only repeals current Iowa code Section 724.31A.   The reason is, 724.31A creates a duplicate effort that is already done and is not a necessary part of Iowa code. Property Tax Exemption on HUD Homes in Disaster Areas The intent of HF1013 is to give persons in disaster areas who buy a home from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as their primary homestead, staged property tax exemptions. In year one, 80% of the property’s actual value would be exempt. In year 2, 60%. In year 3, 40% and in year 4, 20%. I still struggle trying to understand the potential impact of this bill and ultimately voted no.   HUD doesn’t bring homes into a disaster area or build homes to sell. By luck, the Department could have repossessed or foreclosed homes available in the area if those homes aren’t also damaged in the disaster. It’s not possible to know how many, if any, homes would be available.   If the exemption is to be backfilled by the state, the bill doesn’t say that. If the state doesn’t backfill it, then the city, county and school district – which are also likely impacted by the disaster – would have to cover it, and this is an unfunded mandate.   The bill passed 79-5. My “no” vote was accompanied by no votes from other reps I have great respect for. Grain Indemnity Upgrades The Grain Indemnity Fund was first set up in Iowa in the mid 80’s during the farm crisis. When growers bring their grain to an Iowa elevator and sell it, a small portion of each bushel’s value is deposited into the Fund until it reaches $8 million or more.   If for some reason an elevator goes under, the Fund is used to reimburse 90% of growers’ grain payment losses up to $300,000. The State sells the remaining assets of the elevator and deposits the proceeds back into the Fund.   From 1989 until 2023, the Fund was self-sufficient. Then Pipeline Foods, B&B Farm Store and Global Processing all went out of business, drawing the Fund balance below the $3 million floor set in law which triggered a reinstatement of the program fees.   Due to the above events, the funding formula was reevaluated to determine sufficiency going forward. Many growers asked that we consider adding “credit” and “deferred payment” transactions. My position is that the State is merely the steward for farmer money in the Fund, and we can do about whatever changes growers ask for (it’s their money), but we need to set the formula to meet those demands.   SF608 defines credit sales, deferred payment sales and deferred pricing sales, increases the Fund cap from $8 million to $12 million and increases the floor of the Fund from $3 million to $5 million. It also increases the grower’s loss cap to $400,000. While the bill now includes credit sales and deferred pricing sales, indemnification to the grower is capped at 75% of those losses. Deferred payment sales – often used to move income from one year to the next for tax purposes, are NOT indemnified.   Iowa Corn Growers registered against the bill and proposed we do not change anything, but the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Farm Bureau registered in favor.   Personally, I think the fund cap at $12 million is too low with the addition of credit sales. Elevators today are fewer and larger than when the law was first created. If a major elevator were to go out of business today, this Fund would be insufficient.   Regardless, this bill made some good changes that benefit those whose farms and livelihood are impacted. It passed the House 81-3. Other Bills Five other bills were passed Thursday unanimously including 2 Department bills: SF632 Department of Ag and Land Stewardship programs and regulations including crop production, animal health, and agricultural processing, and HF976 Department of Revenue  related to personal income, property, sales and use, motor fuel, and inheritance taxes, changing tax expenditure reviews. SF314 regarding real estate broker licenses, HF933 regarding pediatric palliative care centers and HF787 Let’s Stay in Touch   Serving you starts with listening to you. Your thoughts, concerns, and ideas are vital as we continue our work at the Capitol. If you have questions or input on what we’re doing, I want to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me anytime at [email protected]. Be sure to follow me on social media as well for the latest updates on key legislation, important developments, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in our state government. Together, we can keep Iowa strong. As we near the close of the 2025 legislative session, I want to take a moment to thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me as your representative. It is an honor to serve you, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead as we continue to work together for the future of Iowa.

Williams Weekly Update: Week 16 Newsletter

Closing Out the 2025 Legislative Session

This is actually Part Two of week 15 activities in the legislature as week 15 saw a flurry of activity in the House. Week 16 was scheduled to be the final week of the session but there are some significant differences of opinion regarding the budget. On the downside, the legislative business drags out for an unknown extended period of time and discussions get more heated. But looking at it from a different angle, it’s good to know elected officials aren’t just ‘yes’ men and women or someone’s puppet. They are supposed to be there to act on behalf of their constituents.

There is a bit of a standoff in the Senate between the budget and demands floor debate on eminent domain issues specific to the CO2 pipeline. Until that is resolved, we’re in a holding pattern on the budget and other bills.

The statutory end of session would have been Friday, May 2 which is 110 days from the first day of session. All that really means, though, is legislative staff, including our clerks, are off the payroll and legislators no longer get a per-diem to cover lodging or meals.

Let me take this opportunity to say a big Thank You to my clerk, Sam Vannatta. It was a sincere pleasure conversing with such a bright, young man. Sam is articulate, a great writer, hard worker and seems to know everyone. I wish him the best in the future and look forward to working with him again next session if he’s available and willing. I’m guessing that’s unlikely since hard working, capable people are highly sought after. Thanks for everything, Sam!

SF 296 – Emergency Care for Police Service Dogs I was not aware of this, but if a police dog is injured on the job, the dog must wait until a veterinarian arrives for treatment. SF 296 allows an EMT to administer potentially lifesaving care for the pup. The EMT is not forced to do so and may only do so when all human patients have been cared for.In addition, the injured pooch may not be transported in an ambulance intended for humans. It passed 90-1. Affordable, Quality Child Care One of the concerns I hear most often from hardworking Iowans—especially young families—is the struggle to find affordable, reliable, childcare. Whether it’s in rural communities or our growing towns, the lack of child care options is hurting families, slowing our workforce, and putting unnecessary strain on parents who are simply trying to do the right thing. Two bills passed in the House in Week 15 including HF1020 and HF991 in a way that empowers families and keeps government overreach in check. HF1020 removes the income cap for the Iowa child and dependent care tax credit. Currently, families earning over $45,000 are phased out of eligibility. This bill would ensure that all families—regardless of income—can benefit from this credit if they’re paying for childcare. It’s a smart move that rewards work and supports family stability. It passed 93-0 HF991 attempts to make childcare centers more affordable. Most centers are taxed as commercial property. This bill would tax these facilities at the same rate as residential properties—dramatically lowering their tax burden and helping them stay open, expand, or even open new locations in areas of high need. It passed 92-1.

Parental Rights and Fiscal Responsibility SF513

In intact families, parents can make decisions regarding financial assistance for their child’s education after high school. But in a divorce, a judge may force one parent to subsidize continuing education for their adult child. SF513 would prohibit Iowa courts from entering such an order.

I’m firmly in favor of this legislation, but a real problem still exists. Students are required to provide their parent’s financial information even when the parents have no intentions of providing assistance to the student’s continuing education. If the parent(s) have means, students are ineligible for financial assistance.

Regardless, parents—not judges—should determine how to allocate their resources for their children’s futures. By preventing the court from mandating education subsidies, SF513 reinforces parental authority and fiscal prudence and takes at least one issue off the table for family courts to decide. It passed 85-6

HF1007 – Prioritizing Victims Currently, fines collected in criminal cases often disappear into the bureaucracy, with victims receiving little or no restitution.

HF1007: Creates a Victim Restitution Fund to prioritize payments to victims before others Ensures criminals are held financially accountable to the people they’ve harmed Reinforces the principle that justice is about restitution—not revenue It seems we see stories daily of how the rights of an abuser supersedes the rights of their victims. This is a pro-victim, pro-accountability, and pro-justice bill. It passed 91-2. Protecting Those Who Protect Us – HF1023 HF1023 is a bill that strengthens the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) for those serving in protection occupations including corrections officers and peace officers. It passed 89-0 Government Transparency Matters HF706 HF706 is a bill that would strengthen Iowa’s open meetings and open records laws by enforcing real penalties when transparency is violated. This bill reflects the core conservative belief that government should serve the people—not operate behind closed doors. We don’t put teeth into these laws because we want to fine people. We put teeth into them as a deterrent to violations. I still struggle with bills like this, though. All violations are fined the same while public officials aren’t paid the same. Adams County, for example, pays Supervisors under $23,000/year while Polk County pays nearly $150,000. Both county’s Supervisors face the same fine for violations. It passed 83-10 HF1027 Radon Mitigation Credit Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that emits naturally from Iowa’s rich soils. It often comes up through cracks in the basement floor and accumulates in homes. It is considered the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It is estimated that 70% of Iowa homes have radon exceeding the EPA safe exposure guidelines. HF1027 does 2 things. First it requires new single and two-family residential construction to include installation of a passive radon mitigation system. Passive systems can cut radon by 50% utilizing natural air pressures rather than electric fan operation. Second, the bill would provide a tax credit of up to $1,000 for installation of a radon mitigation system. Installation of an active radon mitigation system averages $1,200/home, so a $1,000 credit is a significant effort by the state to reduce radon and the health impacts. Estimates are that a $1 investment returns over $30 of health benefits. I voted for this bill, but I still have issues with it. There is no cap on expenditure or duration of the program. The amount is significant while installers are limited. Those factors make the program potentially inflationary. It passed 92-1.   Ethics Committee Hearing I sat in on a hearing of the Iowa House Ethics Committee regarding rules violations by a registered lobbyist group. As citizens, they can make statements and exercise their first amendment rights to free speech. But there are rules lobbyists must abide by. Following a complaint by Representative Samantha Fett, the lobbyist group was called into a hearing conducted by 3 Democrat and 3 Republicans. I’m not going to name the group, or the people involved. They seem to like the attention and I’m not going to help them get it. They are often at the Capitol and have been arrested by Capitol police. The issue at hand was their falsely labeling Rep. Fett—a hardworking, law-abiding, and dedicated public servant—as a “former stripper.” Not only did they fail to substantiate this accusation with any evidence, but they proudly admitted that they had no facts to back it up. Their attack was nothing more than an attempt to smear a conservative woman who stands for traditional Iowa values. This is gutter politics to tear down a good person rather than engaging in meaningful political debate. The outcome of the hearing was pleasantly surprising to me. I anticipated a 3-3 decision along party lines, but the decision was 6-0 against the lobbyists. I am very proud of the Democrats on this committee. It would not be difficult to believe there was pressure on them to find this group innocent of the charges. The evidence was overwhelming and their own testimony quite damning. Chairman Bill Gustoff, a capable attorney, handled the hearing fairly and flawlessly. There is no doubt they had violated the rules. Unfortunately, there aren’t any real teeth in the decision. Let’s Stay in Touch Serving you starts with listening to you. Your thoughts, concerns, and ideas are vital as we continue our work at the Capitol. If you have questions or input on what we’re doing, I want to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me anytime at [email protected]. Be sure to follow me on social media as well for the latest updates on key legislation, important developments, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in our state government. Together, we can keep Iowa strong. As we near the close of the 2025 legislative session, I want to take a moment to thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me as your representative. It is an honor to serve you, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead as we continue to work together for the future of Iowa.

Williams Weekly Update: Week 15 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Neighbors, One week to go. This week was filled with caucus meetings and floor debate on various topics including a number of bills we already passed, sent to the senate where it was amended and sent back to the House where it was amended again… In total, I believe 52 bills were presented in the House this week but only 44 made it out of caucus to the House floor for debate. Some of those that failed in caucus will be worked on more and represented while others are dead. Obviously, I don’t know what will happen to them until after caucus, so I’m still reading them all and making a nuisance of myself in caucus asking questions. Most of this week’s bills passed with strong bipartisan support. Others, however, did not hit the mark even within the parties. While I supported a few of these because they included worthwhile provisions, I remain concerned about growing government overreach and watching our pocketbook. With the flurry of activity in these final weeks, my clerk and I decided to split this newsletter into two and try to give details on a number of them. The legislative session is scheduled to end May 2nd. The clerks are finished on that day and legislators stop getting paid and no longer get reimbursed for expenses. Many legislators have farms to get back to. That puts a lot of pressure on getting done, but also when mistakes can get made. We all want to get finished, but we also want to do things right. Prayer is welcome.

I had a great visit with former Representative Brian Best at the Capitol on Tuesday. It’s always valuable to reconnect, share insights, and reflect on the work that’s shaped where we are today. I appreciate his continued passion for Iowa and look forward to more conversations in the future.

A lot of groups come through the Capitol, and I meet with as many from my area as I can. I’m sorry if I missed yours as it is one of the best parts of the day, especially when it’s kids! Wednesday, I had the honor of welcoming fifth-grade students from Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Elementary to the Iowa Capitol. The students presented thoughtful questions and a genuine interest in how government works—a testament to the strength of our local schools and families.

Governor Kim Reynolds made a surprise appearance, graciously taking time from her busy day to speak with the students and share her insight and encouragement. She sat right on the floor of the Rotunda with them for a chat. Their tour guide tells me that’s a first in her three years at the Capitol. A very cool thing from a very cool Governor. Thank you to the parents for letting me share the day with these kids. They were a pleasure.

HF978: Potentially Life-Saving Treatment for Those Battling PTSD Exposure to traumatic experiences, such as combat, physical or sexual assault, abuse, accidents or terror attacks are potential causes of Post Traumatic Stress. Our military and law enforcement are impacted at higher proportions than others because they put their lives on the line for us and can’t unsee what they have seen. 20+ veterans lose their lives daily to suicide. We owe it to those remaining among us to find a cure or mitigate the stress as much as we can. When I first heard about this treatment, I was highly skeptical due to the origins of the drug. I’m not qualified to assess the effectiveness, but what I’m hearing is nothing short of amazing results from the unlikeliest of places, an organic substance known as psilocybin. Psilocybin is the psychoactive and hallucinogenic component of something they called “magic mushrooms” back in the 60’s (also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, philosopher’s stones, liberties, and other street names). Psilocybin is a schedule I drug meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. HF978 is a bold, compassionate, and very controlled step forward. This legislation opens the door to research-supported treatment using psilocybin—administered in a strictly clinical setting. This is not about recreational drug use. In fact, there is zero tolerance for abuse and strong accountability measures are in place from day one. This is about a potential cure for a health issue plaguing our finest. The bill creates a tightly regulated framework under the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. A new Psilocybin Production Establishment Licensing Board will ensure this treatment remains limited, secure, and medically sound. Patients must be 21 or older, and treatments must take place under psychiatric supervision in a professional clinical environment. I don’t know if this will have the impact I am told it has the potential for. But with very strict guidelines, I think we should give it a chance for our friends suffering from PTSD. It passed 84-6.

Putting Iowans First in Health Care Workforce Development

It’s no secret. Iowa is short doctors, especially in rural Iowa. The University of Iowa’s College of Medicine and Dentistry and Hospitals and Clinics are home to the finest of medical and dental schools, producing excellent doctors. Unfortunately, a good number of students are from out of state and leave after graduation. HF516 seeks to reprioritize and refocus efforts on fulfilling the needs of the taxpayers who fund it.

Key Provisions of HF 516: Prioritizing Iowans: Residency and fellowship programs must give preference to applicants with Iowa ties—those who live here, studied here, or trained here. Rural Rotation Requirement: Primary care residents must have opportunities to train in rural Iowa communities, where the need is greatest. Supporting Iowa Students: UIHC must offer residency interviews to qualified Iowans and provide audition opportunities for students at both the University of Iowa and Des Moines University. In-State Enrollment: At least 80% of medical and dental students at the University of Iowa must be Iowa residents, ensuring our investment stays home. Accountability: Annual reports will track progress and ensure transparency. HF516 is a smart, strategic investment in Iowa’s future. It tackles the root of our health care workforce shortage by ensuring that our medical training institutions are serving Iowans first. Studies consistently show that doctors are far more likely to stay and practice in the state where they complete both medical school and residency. By prioritizing Iowa students and encouraging rural training opportunities, this bill strengthens our pipeline of local physicians and ensures access to care where it’s needed most. It passed the House 61-30 and will be sent to the Governor for enactment. Now we need to do the same with the Iowa State University Veterinary Medicine Program.

Catastrophic Savings Accounts

HF988 empowers Iowans to prepare financially for natural disasters when they open interest-bearing savings accounts for catastrophic events, often not covered by insurance, like tornadoes, floods, and storms—offering tax deductions on contributions and exempting earned interest from state income tax. HF 988 promotes self-reliance and financial responsibility, building on SF619, the natural hazard mitigation bill, signed by Governor Reynolds.

We lack control of what I think might be a better solution – allowing Iowans to utilize or borrow from their 401K or IRA’s without penalty. Currently, you can do that only in a federally declared disaster. HF988 passed 92-0.

HF1002: Supporting Iowa’s Volunteer Firefighters In small towns and rural communities across Iowa, when disaster strikes, it’s not big-government agencies that come rushing in—it’s our neighbors. Our volunteer firefighters and emergency responders are the ones who show up when lives are on the line. But these courageous men and women are stretched thin, and recruitment is getting tougher by the year. And we need them! Of the 850 fire departments in Iowa, 92% are manned by volunteers. Of the 16,100 fire fighters, 14,500 are volunteers. HF1002 establishes a Length of Service Award Program for volunteer emergency responders—providing tax-deferred benefits as an incentive to attract and retain these critical volunteers. This bill is targeted support for the people who keep our communities safe and puts control in the hands of local governing bodies, where it belongs. Each municipality will set its own eligibility criteria and operational rules based on local needs and priorities—not top-down mandates from Des Moines. To help get these local programs off the ground, the bill creates a Service Award Grant Fund backed by $1.5 million from the sports wagering receipts fund—with a matching contribution requirement that ensures local skin in the game. Regardless of this program, make sure your local firemen and women know how much you appreciate their sacrifice for you and your neighbors. HF1002 passed 92-0

HF1015: Ticket to Ride In the last few years, the Iowa legislature has passed new laws providing more freedom for ATV and UTV operators. HF1015 prohibits counties from charging extra fees for operating a legally registered all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or off-road utility vehicle (UTV) on secondary roads. If you’ve registered your vehicle with the state, paid your dues, and follow the law, that should be good enough.

Across rural Iowa, ATVs and UTVs aren’t just for recreation—they’re a vital part of farm life, property management, and rural mobility. But in recent years, some counties have decided to put additional fees on top of state registration, creating an unfair patchwork of regulations, unnecessary complexity and confusion. HF 1015 passed 87-5

HF1031: Property Owners and County Land Records

I struggled with this bill because people I trust are on both sides of it. Each bill in the system has a lobbyist declaration page where I can see who is registered in favor, against or undecided. The lobbies in favor include the Iowa State Bar Association (lawyers, not taverns), The Iowa Association of Realtors, and the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association.

The Iowa County Recorders Association and the Iowa State Association of Counties registered undecided. None registered against the bill. The County Recorder performs a necessary and valuable service at a very low fee, subsidized by county property taxpayers. HF1031 moves some of the burden from taxpayers to user fees by changing the filing fee from $5/page to $10/page with a maximum of $250. Current law requires counties into 28E agreements. 28E is the code chapter allowing counties and municipalities to share resources, but this is the only place in Iowa code that requires such an agreement. HF1031 ends that requirement. I suspect most, if not all, counties will continue their agreements voluntarily. Under current law, county recorders must comply with the policies and procedures established by the governing board of the county land record information system, essentially giving the board the effect of writing law. HF1031 corrects that issue. This bill also requires an RFP (Request for Proposal) in 2030 and each 5 years after for the purposes of exploring alternative platforms and service providers. HF1031 passed 79-13.

Protecting Iowa’s Children: Standing Up for the Most Vulnerable

Kids are a gift from God as far as I’m concerned. One of our top priorities this session has been protecting Iowa’s children—especially those born into challenging circumstances through no fault of their own. House Republicans remain firmly committed to building a culture that values life, promotes strong families, and ensures our laws defend the innocence and well-being of every child. This week, we passed several critical bills that reflect that commitment: HF1003 strengthens our foster care system by focusing on stability and security for children. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to dedicate staff solely to identifying and notifying relatives when a child enters foster care. It gives judges the discretion to keep children with foster families they’ve bonded with—those who have cared for them for nine months or longer—when that is clearly in the child’s best interest. HF1003 is about putting the child’s welfare first. It passed 92-0 SF474 improves mental health and substance use support for youth, especially those facing serious emotional disturbances. This legislation empowers families and providers to intervene earlier and more effectively, giving kids the chance to overcome challenges before they escalate further. It passed 92-0. SF150 closes dangerous loopholes by allowing prosecutors to pursue separate charges for each instance of child pornography involving the same victim. This tough-on-crime legislation sends a clear message: those who exploit children will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. It passed 92-0

While we’re talking about kids, let me bring up just one more that got under my skin during House debate: HF644 – Delegation of Custodial Rights and Duties. When a child is in foster care, the foster parents have extremely limited abilities regarding medical care. The foster parent can’t consent to antibiotics if the kid is sick. They can’t even give the child a haircut without permission from the state. HF644 allows the state to delegate some custodial care rights including but not limited to wellness care, non-emergency medical care and use of necessary medication.

Williams Weekly Update: Week 14 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are heading into the final stretch of the 2025 legislative session and have been making progress on behalf of Iowans in a number of areas with the notable exception of – property tax reform and the state budget. We won’t leave without having those accomplished, but they are monumental tasks and likely to have an impact on everyone.

We did address a number of issues this past week including work on a civics test as a requirement for graduation, fetal development instruction in schools, on farm anaerobic digesters, medical cannabidiol, disaster relief and supporting veterans – among other things. We even took a moment to enjoy some time at the Iowa Speedway in Newton.

My apologies, again, for the length of this newsletter. There is a lot to talk about

Young Republicans Day on the Hill I had the honor of meeting with Iowa Young Republicans during their annual Day on the Hill this week. It’s incredibly inspiring to see the next generation of conservative leaders stepping up, asking smart questions, and showing a deep commitment to our values. We gathered again in the evening at the Twisted Vine for pizza and conversations.

A special thank you to Mary Weston, Chair of the Iowa Young Republicans, for organizing this impactful event. And thank you to Attorney General Brenna Bird, Governor Kim Reynolds, and Secretary of State Paul Pate for joining these future leaders and encouraging them to stay engaged in public service. Iowa’s future is in great hands!

Restoring Civic Knowledge and Patriotism in Iowa Classrooms 📚 Before graduating High School in Illinois, I had to pass a U.S. Constitution test intended to ensure basic knowledge of our government before entering the working world and voting. There aren’t many things in Illinois worth copying, but this one is. Too many young people are graduating from Iowa schools not knowing how our government works or knowing the rights and duties they hold as citizens. That’s not good for the future of our republic. HF 165 requires Iowa kids to answer 100 multiple choice questions and get 60% correct to pass. They can retake the test as often as they want. Immigrants are required to answer the same questions before they can become American citizens. Surely, we can agree 60% is a low bar. Sadly, that is not the case. On the House floor, Democrats offered irrelevant amendments and a rather depressing view of our education system. One amendment would require legislators take the same test and post results. I actually did take the test a few days ago (without studying and without the advantage of multiple choice). I got 96% right. While I’d have no problem with this requirement, the Democrats are well aware this amendment was not germane and intended only for political theater. Democrats also argued a simple exam is just too much to ask. Some students, they argued, might drop out of school due to test anxiety. “Why? … Oh, why” would we do this to them? Maybe this is a clue as to why nearly 40% of Iowa kids read below their grade level. Further, the $4 billion the state puts into k-12, plus the property taxes, plus federal funding, isn’t enough to administer a test. This test will single handedly increase property taxes.

Florida, Arizona, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Illinois require a version of this test. (Even Jeff Spicoli had to pass one at Ridgemont High). It’s time for Iowa to do so, too, and take a step toward restoring a culture of civic responsibility, patriotism, and respect for the Constitution.

If we want the next generation to stand up for liberty, they should understand what makes America worth defending. It passed 60-33. Take the test yourself here: 100q.pdf. Tell me how you did.

Innovation in Agriculture: HF989 – On Farm Anaerobic Digesters

In simple terms, an anaerobic digester allows livestock producers to convert manure (and other organic waste) into renewable energy and digestate. These have been in use in Europe for decades and can be a win-win for both the environment and the ag economy. There is one in operation close to my area.

HF989 ✅ Provides clear, consistent rules for permitting and operation ✅ Implements reasonable fees to help manage oversight—without punishing producers ✅ Applies penalties for irresponsible operation, while protecting law-abiding farmers ✅ Includes timelines and provisions to give producers clarity and time to adapt

For rural Iowa this bill is good policy. Our economy relies on animal agriculture, and producers deserve the freedom to adopt new technologies that help them manage waste, protect the environment, and potentially create new revenue streams. It passed 80-13.

HF1000 – Standing with Our Veteran Heroes

HF1000 is a meaningful and long-overdue step in honoring the service and sacrifice of Iowa’s veterans. It establishes a Veterans Service Organization Grant Program—a targeted effort to strengthen the frontline organizations that serve our state’s heroes every single day.

HF1000 provides state grant funding to trusted veterans service organizations (VSOs) across Iowa like the American Legion, VFW, and others committed to helping veterans access the care, benefits, and support they’ve earned. These organizations often operate on tight budgets, relying on volunteers and donations to help veterans navigate a complicated federal system. This bill gives them the tools to do even more. Many veterans struggle with accessing basic services—from health care to housing, from job training to mental health support. Government bureaucracy is slow and often unresponsive. That’s where local VSOs step in—fighting for our veterans, helping them cut through red tape. HF1000 empowers these organizations to expand their mission and reach even more veterans, especially in rural and underserved areas of our state. It passed unanimously 92-0.

HF391 – Fetal Development Education

HF391/SF175 requires Iowa schools to include accurate information about pregnancy and fetal development as part of the human growth and development and health curriculum for students in grades 7 through 12. Students deserve to learn the facts about how life begins, how a baby develops in the womb, and the miracle of human life. A lot is being said about this bill and its intent. Read the actual bill and decide for yourself. An earlier version of this bill was specific to a 3-minute video which you can watch here: Meet Baby Olivia. Keep in mind that times shown in the video are in reference to fertilization and not since last menstrual period (LMP) which adds about 2 weeks. The final version of the bill requires a video, but not this one specifically. I think this video is well made, simple, and quite beautiful, but I’m not qualified to comment on its accuracy. Young people are bombarded with messages that devalue innocent life. This bill ensures students are given the full picture—the biological reality of human development that should not be hidden or politicized. Missouri, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida have already adopted similar measures. Iowa should, too. It passed 60-31.

Governor’s Disaster Relief Bill – HF1012/SF619

Most of us have property insurance, but we never really know how good it is until disaster strikes. Even then, some disasters are just epic like the Derecho of 2020, the tornadoes in Greenfield and Minden, and severe flooding in Spencer and Northwest Iowa. Dealing firsthand with FEMA in the Spencer flooding, Governor Reynolds used everything at her disposal to answer the call for help. Afterwards, she and her team set out to take the lessons learned and put it into a bill for action which became HF1012/SF619—a smart, conservative approach to ensuring Iowa is prepared to respond swiftly, efficiently, and locally when disaster hits. HF1012/SF619 gives the Department of Management access to up to 10% of the state’s Economic Emergency Fund annually—providing immediate flexibility to address crisis situations without waiting on red tape or outside approvals. It also: Creates the Natural Hazard Mitigation Financing Program, offering loans for local projects that help prevent damage before it happens. Expands the Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program, making it easier for homeowners and renters to get back on their feet. Eliminates unnecessary barriers, like requiring disaster victims to sign up for advocacy services before receiving assistance. Allocates an additional $2 million to remove dangerous, disaster-damaged buildings, helping communities rebuild faster and safer. Government should be limited in size but strong in purpose—especially when it comes to protecting life, liberty, and property in times of crisis. HF1012/SF619 ensures that local communities and state agencies have the tools and funding they need—without waste, without delay, and without growing government unnecessarily. Now, let’s be real; if disaster strikes and you are waiting for a person from the state to show up to save you, you are, unfortunately, likely to be on the casualty list. In a disaster, you are your own and possibly your neighbor’s first responder followed by local police, fire and EMS. You owe it to yourself and your family to be prepared. When seconds count, the state government is going to be days away. But when the government does arrive, they should be a partner in and not an impediment to the solution. This bill is not about big-government handouts. It respects taxpayer dollars, strengthens local control, and ensures we can move fast, fix problems, and help Iowans rebuild with dignity. Yesterday was Spencer, Iowa. Tomorrow, God forbid, it may be your town. It passed 91-1.

Kids in Court – HJR9/SJR9 – Constitutional Amendment

The Iowa Constitution contains the “Confrontation” clause. It reads, “In all criminal prosecutions, and in cases involving the life, or liberty of an individual the accused shall have a right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; to be informed of the accusation against him, to have a copy of the same when demanded; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for his witnesses; and, to have the assistance of counsel.” In 2024, in State of Iowa v. White, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned lower court rulings that had allowed two very young boys to testify against their father via one-way closed circuit wherein the father could see the boys, but the boys could not see their father. The boys testified that their father severely beat a 2-year-old who lived with them. The Supreme Court ruled that this testimony violated the Iowa Constitution.

Children who are victims of abuse from adults should not be forced to relive their trauma in the same room with the person who traumatized them. In response to the Supreme Court ruling and on behalf of Iowa children, Attorney General, Brenna Bird, created HJR9/SJR9.

HJR9/SJR9 proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa regarding the rights of the accused to confront children and other vulnerable witnesses, striking the right balance between constitutional protections for the accused and the moral imperative to protect young and fragile witnesses from additional trauma. Constitutional amendments are, by design, not easy to obtain. The same language has to pass in both the House and Senate in this session and again next session in 2027 or 2028. If that happens, then it goes on a ballot for Iowa voters to vote on before it can be adopted. Unfortunately, kids are going to suffer between now and when you get to vote on this. HJR9/SJR9 passed 87-6.

HF990 – Medical Cannabidiol Access This week, I voted a cautious yes on HF990, a bill that modifies the licensure process for Iowa’s medical cannabidiol dispensaries. As a conservative, I believe in limited government, personal responsibility, and ensuring that Iowans with legitimate medical needs have access to safe, regulated care. This bill strikes a careful balance between compassion and control. HF 990 streamlines the process by which medical cannabidiol dispensaries are licensed in Iowa. It provides more flexibility in the Department of Health and Human Services’ administration of dispensary licenses, helping to ensure that patients with chronic or debilitating conditions are not left behind due to red tape or access issues—particularly in rural areas. While I voted in favor of this bill, I remain concerned about where this conversation goes next. If you’ve been to Denver lately, you know what I mean. HF 990 is not a blank check. It’s a responsible update to an existing law, not an endorsement of broad drug liberalization. It passed 90-2.

Oversight: Judicial Branch Misdirected Funds

The first Government Oversight Committee meeting of the 91st General Assembly zeroed in on a serious failure: How did the Iowa Judicial Branch mismanage and misdirect $27.5 million in court debt payments? And even more troubling—why has it taken over three years to get to this point?

I’m not on the Oversight Committee, but my clerk, Sam, and I sat in on the hearing to get an understanding of the issue. This isn’t just a financial blunder. It’s a breakdown in accountability from a branch of government that’s supposed to uphold justice—not mishandle millions that should go to victims, counties, and law enforcement. In the hearing, the question was asked if anyone had been harmed in the mess and the answer was, “No.” I don’t see how that can be. Because of the long delay, the Judicial Branch cannot undo the damage from before 2024 but now requires legislative action to do that. Yet, they have not presented any model legislation that I am aware of.

Reading the Bills It’s admittedly a struggle, but I have still managed to read all the bills before voting on them. Late Wednesday evening, I was really stuck on one (in the middle of page 17) that referred to a 1% ownership in a tax sale certificate. I just couldn’t get my head wrapped around why anyone would want a 1% ownership. Thursday morning, before caucus, I posed the question. Turns out it was a typographical error and should have been 100%. I’m not sure if I should be proud of that or not as I was the only “no” vote on that bill even after they amended it to say 100%. I liked the intent of the bill, but I did not like the approach.

Thank You, Governor Reynolds As Governor Kim Reynolds chooses not to seek reelection, I want to express my gratitude for her dedicated service to our state. Under her leadership, Iowa has seen historic tax reforms, expanded educational opportunities, and upheld a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Her legacy will have a lasting impact on our great state, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

A Night at the Races: Breaking Away with NASCAR at the Iowa Speedway

Being a State Representative can definitely come with its fair share of stress—while simultaneously incredibly rewarding. Every now and then, it’s refreshing to break away from the usual routine and do something a little out of the ordinary. Wednesday night was one of those moments, as I had the opportunity to attend the NASCAR Legislative Reception at the Iowa Speedway – and go 120+ mph around the track in a Corvette. I’ve been to plenty of receptions and events in this role, but I have to admit—this one was probably the fastest “yes” I’ve given!

Wednesday evening was a real pleasure to spend time with colleagues from both sides of the aisle in a relaxed, nonpartisan setting. A big thank-you to the Iowa Speedway, Leader Windschitl, the LS2 Group, Iowa Corn and everyone who helped put this event together. It was a night to remember!

Let’s Stay in Touch Serving you starts with listening to you. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas about the work we’re doing at the Capitol, I want to hear them. You can reach me anytime at Craig.Williams@legis.iowa.gov. Be sure to follow me on social media as well for updates, important legislation, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in your state government. Together, we can keep Iowa strong.

Wishing You a Blessed and Joyful Easter As we approach the Easter holiday, I want to take a moment to wish all of my constituents a joyous and peaceful Easter. May this time of reflection bring renewal and hope to you and your family. As we celebrate the blessings of faith, family, and freedom, let us continue to work together to build a stronger, more prosperous Iowa.

Thank you for the trust you place in me to serve as your representative. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and to continuing to work on your behalf.

Williams Weekly Update: Week 13 Newsletter

Dear Constituents, Last week’s newsletter included a couple of photos that looked great when we put it together but were upside down when opened in Outlook. I am hopeful we discovered the issue and have it corrected going forward. I anticipated week 13 to be endless debate in the House, but that was not the case. Just 8 bills were debated on Tuesday. The most consequential bill involved school funding. Also passed with some resistance was a bill to allow landowners to build a second house on their property known as an “Accessory Dwelling Unit” and a bill that prohibits unauthorized drones over farms. In the weeks ahead, the focus should turn heavily towards budgeting and property taxes. SF167: School Funding This week an agreement was finally reached between the House, Senate, and Governor’s office on Supplemental State Aid (SSA) and other school funding amounting to a 2.8% increase in total spending on K-12 public education. The bill passed the House 60-36. Ames High School Key Highlights of the Final Agreement: Supplemental State Aid (SSA): A 2% increase in SSA for Fiscal Year 2026, plus an additional $5 per student—resulting in over $105 million in new funding for schools. This includes Phase Two of the teacher salary increase, adding nearly $35 million for public schools. Per Pupil Funding: The State Cost Per Pupil rises to $7,988, an increase of $162 per student, including a $5 boost for per-pupil equity. Operational Sharing Cap: Raised from 21 to 25, generating an additional $942,087 for public schools. Transportation Equity: A 3% increase adding $1.55 million more in funding. This agreement is 8 weeks later than it was supposed to be – causing some consternation in school budgeting across the state. The final product is not what was hoped for by school boards but is better than anticipated. School Funding Claims: You have likely heard the claim that the state is increasing funding for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) by 44% while only increasing public school funding by 2%. The intent of that message is designed to give the impression that private schools are receiving more support than public schools which is demonstrably untrue. Here’s the reality: The 44% increase they cite is tied to the final year of ESA expansion, when all Iowa families become eligible. This was expected and planned for. The per-pupil amount for ESAs increases at the same rate as SSA. Public school funding still dwarfs ESA funding. The bar graph shows the actual state funding to Iowa’s k-12 in red and the actual ESA funding in blue. In the FY 2025 state budget, aid to public schools makes up 43.62% of the entire state budget—the largest single investment we make. By contrast, ESAs account for just 2.01% of the total budget. The SSA increase is 2% but ignores the other increases which amount to 2.8%. K-12 public schools also receive federal funding and property tax funding. ESA’s do not. HF691 – Property Tax Relief? Homeowners across Iowa have been alarmed by new assessments and property taxes. Me, too. One proposed fix is HF691. This bill would provide a $1,000 rebate to all Iowa homeowners and $500 to renters each year for the next 5 years. Awesome, right? We don’t have official estimates of what such a program might cost, so let’s do the math: There are a little over 920,000 owner occupied homes in Iowa times $1,000 plus over 367,000 tenant occupied housing units times $500. That adds up to $1.1 Billion (with a “B”) per year or $5.5 Billion over the five-year life of the program. All we have to do now is find $5.5 Billion. The state has a couple of sources of revenue from which to pay for such programs – mainly sales taxes and income taxes. You pay those. Essentially, you will fund your own rebate. The alternative funding source would be to reduce state costs. Education and Medicaid making up the majority of state expenses, those would be likely budgets to reduce. The renter rebate may sound like a windfall, but it is likely short lived. Landlords will figure out that they are paying more in sales taxes and income taxes to fund renter rebates and will undoubtedly raise the rent. When the program ends, the rent increase stays. HF691 sounds like a great idea if you don’t think about it. Fortunately, it has zero traction. HSB328: Strengthening Iowa’s Property Tax Reform: Last month, a bold property tax overhaul bill was presented to spark a statewide conversation about real, lasting reform. Since then, feedback has been gathered from Iowans, local governments, and stakeholders to better understand the full impact of these changes. In response to that feedback, House Ways and Means Chairman Bobby Kaufmann and his Senate counterpart, Dan Dawson, have introduced HSB328, which builds on the original proposal with key improvements. Key Updates in House Study Bill 328: ✅ Increases the homestead exemption to $50,000 — delivering direct relief to residential property owners. ✅ Removes the rollback for all property classifications except agriculture beginning in the FY27 budget. ✅ Adds a CPI (Consumer Price Index) adjustment alongside the 2% revenue cap to help local governments navigate high inflation periods. ✅ Establishes a minimum budget guarantee to ensure small communities can plan with stability and confidence. I read this bill the evening it dropped. By the next morning, amendments were already being proposed which I have not yet seen. The issue is exceedingly complicated and continues to be a moving target. Finding an answer that satisfies all parties is unlikely. What we have heard loud and clear is that property taxpayers want relief. It will have to come from somewhere. HF947/SF592: Affordable Housing – Accessory Dwelling Units: This week, the House passed House File 947, a bill aimed at increasing access to affordable housing by cutting red tape around accessory dwelling units (ADUs). It passed 89-7 An accessory dwelling unit is a secondary residential unit located on the same lot as a single-family home. It can be either attached or detached from the main residence—like a converted garage or a small backyard cottage. Here’s what the bill does: Ensures ADUs comply with all applicable building codes. Limits the size of an ADU to the greater of 1,000 square feet or 50% of the size of the primary home. Prevents cities and counties from imposing more restrictive requirements on ADUs than they do on single-family homes. By making it easier to build ADUs, this bill will expand the supply of affordable housing, support aging in place and multigenerational living, and make better use of existing residential space—without overhauling neighborhoods. The property rights person in me loves this. Who doesn’t want an extra man cave and spare place for visitors? The student of human nature in me was far more cautious. The final bill met with no resistance from cities or county associations. Expanding Disability Coverage for Iowa’s Firefighters and First Responders: HF969 was amended and passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 46-1. It expands disability coverage for firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical service providers who develop cancer as a result of their work. Currently, under Iowa’s Presumptive Disability Law, 14 types of cancer are covered. This bill expands the definition to include all types of cancer, ensuring that those who risk their lives for us are covered for the full range of conditions they may face. Key Points of the Bill: The expansion of cancer coverage would allow first responders to receive benefits for all types of cancer, not just the 14 types currently covered. Under current law, if a firefighter, police officer, or EMS worker develops cancer and does not receive coverage, all medical costs must be billed through personal insurance. They are also required to keep working to receive full pay and benefits. The bill now heads back to the Iowa House for another vote after passing the Senate with a key amendment. Herkey in the House The U of I was in the Rotunda this week displaying various colleges of study and projects. One that caught my eye was 4 students from the College of Engineering. They showed me a device the size of a small box of match sticks. It attaches to the ankle of a person who is recovering from surgery to measure the patient’s mobility. It reports back to the doctor or therapist data supporting what exercises will help the patient regain proper range of motion. What really caught my attention was the cost: $13 Stay Connected: I believe the best way to serve you is by staying connected. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out and email me at Craig.Williams@legis.iowa.gov. You can also follow me on social media to stay up to date with the latest news from the Capitol.

Williams Weekly UPdate: Week 12 Newsletter

Dear Constituents,

After two weeks of debate, this past week was focused on completing the 2nd funnel. The second funnel is the deadline for bills that passed on the floor of the Senate to be brought through a House committee, or the bill is effectively dead for the year. Ways and Means as well as Appropriations bills are exempt from that deadline and will continue to be discussed until the end of the session – hopefully at the first week in May.

Next week is likely back to debate.

It was fun to connect with a group of young visitors this week from TeenPact to help explain the role of a legislator. TeenPact is designed to help students understand the political process, value their liberty, and engage the culture. It’s encouraging to see so many well-mannered young people taking an active interest in the political landscape, learning about Iowa’s government, and exploring the broader political process. Wednesday marked the rescheduled Iowa Homeschool Day on the Hill. Homeschool kids and their families were originally scheduled to visit several weeks back, but that event was cancelled because of security concerns due to protests at the Capitol. I had fun with the group at the table in the picture who challenged me with Capitol trivia. Senate File 22: Distracted Driving Bill Signed into Law Surrounded by Iowans who have lost loved ones in traffic incidents caused by distracted drivers, the Governor signed the Distracted Driving bill into law. Iowa joins 30 other states in banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving, making our roads safer for all Iowans. Whether it’s texting, scrolling, or making calls, we’ve all seen drivers distracted by their devices, putting themselves and others at risk. Iowa law already prohibited texting and driving. However, there are many other ways drivers use their phones, which made enforcing the texting ban difficult and ineffective. Key Changes in Senate File 22: Expanded Ban: SF 22 replaces the texting ban with a broader prohibition on using electronic devices while driving. Drivers can still use their devices hands-free. Exemptions: Drivers can use their phones to receive safety-related information or report emergencies. Public safety and healthcare professionals are also exempt when performing official duties that require device use. Penalties: Violating this law results in a simple misdemeanor, a $100 fine, and a moving violation on the driver’s record. Enforcement: From July 1, 2025, until January 1, 2026, law enforcement will issue warnings for violations. Beginning January 1, 2026, officers will start issuing tickets. Driving is a privilege, not a right. There are many restrictions imposed on driving privileges such as speed, vehicle condition, age, car seats, licensure, texting and now distractions from other cell phone use. Funnel Bills: Of the 40 or so Senate bills considered in House committees this week, only 7 were met with partisan resistance. Local Government debated SF507 prohibiting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion departments in cities and counties. It passed 13-7. The Committee did not consider SF494 authorizing residential gardens. There is a property rights component to this that I like, but I’m unaware of a city where this is an issue. One citizen requested the bill be amended to allow production of cannabis. Health and Human Services took on SF469 creating a new “emeritus” license for retired physicians and surgeons. The bill is intended to allow those no longer actively providing surgery or other medical procedures, to supervise and train resident physicians. It passed 14-7. Judiciary considered 6 Senate bills this week, half of which passed unanimously. The other half was split on party lines including: SF180 – a bill to allow citizens to reject medical procedures for reasons of conscience. This is very similar to what was passed in the Covid years to prevent people from being terminated for refusing to take Covid shots. That law, however, was restricted to government employees whereas this on is not. SF472 deals with a collective bargaining issue for public employees. It requires public employers to submit a list of eligible employees within 10 days. It passed 14-6. SF473 also passed 14-6. It is a bill that I am running in the House and is designed to prohibit Health and Human Services and its contractors from excluding persons with strongly held religious beliefs regarding gender identity and sexual orientation from being considered for foster parenting or adoption. Ways and Means, which I am not on, considered about 16 of their own House bills this week along with 1 Senate bill. 2 of those met resistance including: HF761 – a bill allowing the direct shipment of alcohol and liquor in Iowa. It passed 17-7. HSB239 creates a sales tax exemption for parking lot facilities and passed 17-7. I’m not in the loop on either of these bills at this time and will reserve judgement until then. Governor Signs Four Key Public Safety Bills into Law: Governor Reynolds has signed four important public safety bills into law, aimed at strengthening Iowa’s legal framework and ensuring better protection for citizens and law enforcement. Here’s a breakdown of the legislation that will soon take effect: HF 180 – Grooming Offenses: Mandates that individuals convicted of grooming offenses register as tier I sex offenders for 10 years. Grooming targets vulnerable individuals, often with long-lasting consequences. This bill ensures that these individuals are closely monitored to protect potential future victims. SF 397 – Assaults Against Certain Professions: SF397 increases penalties for assaults against individuals working in certain professions, such as peace officers, correctional staff, and juvenile detention staff among others, involving serious injury, dangerous weapons, or bodily fluid. It establishes a minimum seven-day sentence as a deterrent to specific offenses. HF 181 – THC Open Container: HF181 makes it illegal for drivers and passengers to possess open containers of beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in motor vehicles, mirroring existing laws that prohibit open containers of alcoholic beverages. Just as alcohol consumption in vehicles poses a threat, the same applies to THC-infused beverages. Operating a vehicle under the influence of THC is just as unacceptable as driving under the influence of alcohol. HF 182 – Controlled Substances Updates: This legislation updates Iowa’s controlled substances schedules to include new substances and modifies classifications in line with federal regulations. It introduces specific chemical compounds that are considered dangerous and outlines severe penalties for violations. The world of controlled substances is constantly evolving, and this bill ensures that Iowa’s laws remain in step with federal regulations and emerging threats. Adding new substances strengthens Iowa’s fight against drug abuse and illegal drug production. Thursday, my clerk, Sam, and I took an official tour of the Capitol. By chance, a group of 6th graders from St. Mary’s in Manchester was also scheduled for a tour, so we joined them. If you had five days, you could not see all that this beautiful building and its history has to offer. Tours are free to the public, occur daily and should be on everyone’s bucket list. Inquire at the Capitol gift shop. I was invited by Wiltse Cretsinger, owner of Heritage Insurance in Coon Rapids, to attend a Friday meeting with about a dozen area farmers. The meeting featured Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig and Congressman, Steve King. Topics discussed included ag pesticide labeling, the grain indemnity fund, tariffs, the ag economy, and the CO2 pipeline issues.

Williams Weekly Update: Week 11 Newsletter

Dear Constituents,

Week 11 is in the rearview mirror. Another 49 bills were debated on the House floor this week bringing the total to 183 bills passed to date. I have managed to read every one of them before voting, so far, but that’s not an easy task.

School funding was due 6 weeks ago, but there is still no visible progress from my seat. The Senate and Governor are still at 2% and the House is still at 2.25% plus a list of designated funding. We are scheduled to end the session on May 2, but session won’t end without a complete budget including SSA.

Next week marks the second funnel when all bills from each chamber must be passed through the other chamber or die. This does not apply to Ways and Means or Appropriations bills. We have our work cut out for us.

rotecting Landowners from Eminent Domain Abuse One message has been unmistakably clear: landowners are demanding stronger protections for their private property rights against the misuse of eminent domain. The Iowa constitution is on their side.

Two significant pieces of legislation designed to uphold those rights passed in the House. • HF943 Prohibits taking agricultural land for pipelines transporting liquefied CO2. It passed 81-12. • HF639 includes several key provisions aimed at providing enhanced protections for landowners, including: Requiring hazardous liquid pipelines to maintain insurance coverage for potential damages, including personal injury and property value depreciation. Ensuring that if individuals experience higher insurance premiums or are unable to secure insurance due to the pipeline, the pipeline company must either provide insurance or reimburse the affected individuals for the additional costs. Strengthening safeguards to ensure that eminent domain is only invoked for legitimate public purposes. Mandating the presence of Iowa Utilities Commission members during hearings related to public utility regulation, electric transmission lines, and pipelines. The members are paid over $125,000 per year. Being present at meetings seems a reasonable expectation. Allowing Iowans impacted by the actions of the Iowa Utilities Commission to intervene in proceedings. Many individuals have been prohibited from expressing their concerns, despite being directly affected by the Commission’s decisions. HF 639 passed 85-10

Strengthening Election Integrity I am firmly committed to protecting the integrity and security of our elections. It should always remain easy to vote in Iowa but hard to cheat. One key area in need of reform is the recount process which is inconsistently administered across the state. HF928 establishes a clear, fair, and consistent system for conducting recounts in Iowa elections. Its recount provisions are as follows: For statewide or federal elections, a recount may only be requested if the margin of victory is 0.15% or less. For general assembly or local races, a recount may only be requested if the margin of victory is within 1% or fewer than 50 votes, whichever is smaller. The recount board will consist of the county auditor, the auditor’s staff, and, if needed, additional staff who were employed in the original ballot counting process, with equal representation from both parties. The county auditor, not campaigns, is given primary responsibility for managing the recount to ensure fairness and impartiality. Campaigns will be allowed to designate up to five observers to guarantee that the recount process is conducted transparently. HF 928 passed 66-31. During the 2024 election cycle, Iowa’s Secretary of State was thwarted by the Biden Administration while trying to verify the citizenship status of Iowans on the voter rolls. This resulted in the discovery of 277 noncitizens on the rolls, with 35 successfully casting ballots despite being ineligible. More attempted to vote but were stopped. HF 954 passed 65-31 and includes: provisions to clean up the voter rolls and verify citizenship status well before Election Day, providing ample time for citizens to correct any errors. raising the threshold for a political party to gain official recognition in Iowa, requiring the party to achieve 2% of the vote in three consecutive statewide elections. banning ranked-choice voting

Distracted Driving We’ve all seen other drivers with their focus clearly on their phone and not on the road. While Iowa law already prohibits texting and driving, there are many other ways drivers use their phones that go unchecked making it difficult for police to enforce. SF22 passed in the Senate 47-1 before passing in the House 84-11 and is now on its way to the Governor. According to polling, 85% of Iowans approve of this legislation. SF22: Prohibits the use of electronic devices while driving. Drivers will still be allowed to use their devices hands-free. Exempts from prohibition use of phones to receive emergency alerts, report an emergency, or for other safety-related reasons. Exempts public safety and healthcare professionals when performing official duties that require the use of their device. Classifies violation as a simple misdemeanor, subject to a $100 fine, and is considered a moving violation on the driver’s record. To allow time for awareness and education, law enforcement officers will issue warnings to violators from July 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026. After January 1, 2026, officers will begin issuing tickets.

Expanding Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care This legislative session, our focus has been on advancing policies that ensure all Iowans, no matter where they live, have access to the high-quality health care they deserve. Expanding health care access is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so our Health and Human Services Committee has considered a broad range of proposals. Already, we have passed a bill aimed at recruiting, training, and retaining more health care professionals in Iowa. This week, we moved forward with several additional important health care bills that are worth highlighting. HF972 aims to improve care in underserved and rural areas: It directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to seek federal approval for a healthcare hub-and-spoke partnership funding model, fostering regional collaboration among health care providers and improving service delivery in rural communities. The bill consolidates five existing health care loan repayment programs into a single, streamlined program. This new program will offer loan forgiveness and bonuses for professionals in high-need, underserved areas and will double the funding allocated to these efforts. It requests $150 million in federal funds to create 115 new medical residency spots in Iowa each year for the next four years. It repeals the existing residency and fellowship programs, transitioning them into Medicaid graduate medical education programs to further expand care in underserved communities. The bill simplifies the certificate of need process, improving efficiency and reducing regulatory burdens on health care providers. HF972 passed 93-1 HF887 eliminates the requirement that birth centers must obtain a certificate of need before opening or expanding their services. With many birthing centers closing in rural Iowa, this bill removes regulatory barriers, making it easier for centers to provide critical care and improving access for mothers and their newborns in these communities. It passed 95-0 HF919 establishes a children’s specialty hospital, enabling federal certification and participation in federal reimbursement programs. This designation will help ensure the sustainability and growth of ChildServe, allowing them to expand their ability to care for Iowa’s children with special health care needs. It passed 97-0.

Work Requirements for Medicaid Benefits It is estimated that 100,000 able-bodied Iowans, capable of working, are currently on Medicaid. Medicaid is an expensive but critical program that was established to provide health insurance for our most vulnerable citizens—those who are elderly, disabled, or otherwise unable to care for themselves. To ensure that Medicaid remains available for those who truly need it, we must put reasonable safeguards in place. SF615 requires the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to seek federal approval to implement work requirements as a condition of Medicaid expansion. It passed 61-35. • Reasonable Exemptions: The bill includes numerous exemptions including for: Individuals under 19 or 65 and older Disabled individuals as defined by Social Security Medically frail or medically exempt individuals Caregivers for dependent children under 6 years old High-risk pregnant women Individuals receiving unemployment benefits Those in substance abuse treatment programs Additional exemptions as determined by the DHHS Director, providing flexibility for unforeseen circumstances.

Why I Supported SF615: Ultimately, this bill is about ensuring that Medicaid continues to serve those who need it most while encouraging those who can work to become contributing members of our economy. I cannot justify requiring those who work and pay taxes, to support those who are able to work but choose not to when there are thousands of unfilled jobs in Iowa. In addition, medical professionals tell us that Medicaid dollars often don’t cover the full cost of services rendered. Perhaps we could afford to pay more if we weren’t stretched so thin. When we make changes to eligibility for programs, people naturally get scared. If a person is truly in need, this bill should not deny them the help that Medicaid provides.

New Hope visits the Capitol I am aware that I missed a few constituents who were in the Capitol and asked to visit with me. The timing of caucuses and debate are something I have no control over and are critical to the job. But I did manage to visit with a special group of people from New Hope Village in Carroll. New Hope Village provides residential and vocational services to adults with disabilities. Their smiles and happy attitudes are very infectious.

HF970: Refocusing SNAP Benefits on Nutritious Foods SNAP is the acronym for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as Food Stamps. A 2016 USDA study revealed that 20% of every SNAP dollar was spent on items including sweetened beverages, desserts, salty snacks, candy, and sugar which are inarguably not nutritious. The most frequently purchased item using SNAP is soft drinks. Given that Iowa ranks 11th in the nation for adult obesity, a condition linked to several chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, it is clear that these spending habits do not contribute to good health or the rising costs of Medicaid. This week, the Iowa House passed HF970, a bill designed to refocus SNAP benefits towards healthier, more nutritious food. To take effect, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will need a waiver from the federal government. The bill does not prevent individuals from purchasing items like Monster Energy drinks, Cheetos and bon bons with their own funds, but it would not allow those items to be purchased with taxpayer funded SNAP. This modest but important shift sets reasonable boundaries for SNAP spending, aligning the program more closely with its original purpose: alleviating hunger and improving health. In addition, the bill allocates $1 million to the Double Up Food Bucks program, which aims to enhance access to fresh fruits and vegetables for those who depend on SNAP benefits, once the federal waiver is approved. By refocusing SNAP benefits on nutritious foods, HF970 not only helps combat obesity in Iowa but also aligns the program with its intended goal of improving the overall health of our communities. It will benefit both taxpayers and those who rely on SNAP for support. It passed 56-40

Williams Weekly Update: Week 10 Newsleteter

Dear Constituents, Week 10 of the 16-week legislative session brought a different atmosphere to the floor of the House than the previous 9 weeks. Tuesday’s debate included Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) topics, triggering responses from Democrats that were less than admirable. I’m certain it’s difficult to be in the minority party in Iowa, and emotions can get the better of a frustrated person. But the actions and comments seen and heard from my desk were not helpful to their cause. If I can hear swearing and see misbehaving on the floor, then gallery guests can, too. By my count, 135 bills have been debated on the House floor to date including 54 this week alone (my apologies for the resulting length of this newsletter). Each of these bills have been vetted, argued, and amended to the point that, if they are on the House floor, they are almost certain to pass. Obnoxious behavior and outbursts won’t change that. Bills passing the House still need to garner support in the Senate and pass there before being sent to the Governor for signature. Many of these bills will not make it that far. Reforming Higher Education in Iowa A 2020, peer-reviewed, study by Langbert & Stevens of Boston College found college professors were far more likely to be left leaning with the University of Iowa among the highest in the country. Looking at 141 U of I professors, 91 were Democrat and only 8 were Republican. Donations to Democrat candidates and causes outran Republicans 42 to 1. At Iowa State, of 142 professors, 66 were Democrat and 6 Republican. That is certainly not reflective of Iowa. This session, the new Higher Education Committee is tasked with taking a comprehensive look at Iowa’s higher education system. Our institutions are facing critical challenges—skyrocketing costs for students, a demonstrable lack of intellectual diversity, and ideological agendas taking precedence over academic rigor. This week, we took significant action by passing several bills through the Iowa House aimed at refocusing our higher education system on its core purpose: providing a quality education at a respectable cost for students and replacing identity politics with intellectual diversity. Key Legislation Passed: HF 269: Freedom from Indoctrination Act This bill ensures that no student will be required to take courses that promote ideological activism—such as critical race theory or DEI—just to earn a degree. It also protects the academic freedom of faculty by preventing the mandatory infusion of DEI-related content into courses. Supported by the Iowa Board of Regents this bill passed 63-34. HF 401: Core Curriculum Act This act establishes clear undergraduate general education requirements for Iowa’s regent universities, covering essential subjects like English, Mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, Western heritage, and American heritage. It ensures that core curriculum courses will not distort historical events or promote identity politics. This bill was also supported by the Iowa Board of Regents and passed 61-36. HF 295: Accreditation Autonomy Act There is a fear that reducing or removing DEI by state law may result in the loss of accreditation. This bill gives universities or the attorney general the authority to sue accreditors who force universities to violate state law in order to maintain their accreditation status. This bill was also supported by the Iowa Board of Regents and passed 65-32. HF 437: Center for Intellectual Freedom Act HF437 establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa, dedicated to teaching and researching the foundational ideas, traditions, and texts that shaped the American constitutional order and society. The center will offer a course in American History and Civil Government accessible to all three regent universities, with a goal of increasing intellectual diversity and fostering civic engagement. The Iowa Board of Regents supported this one, too. It passed 60-37. HF 440: College Affordability Act This act requires tuition rates to be set by April 30th each year; mandates that each regent university offer at least one Work-Study program where students can earn their degree while working part-time and having their tuition paid by their employer; requires each regent university to offer at least one three-year bachelor’s degree’ and directs the Board of Regents to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a tuition guarantee. This one also had the support of the Iowa Board of Regents and passed 64-33. HF 856: Replacing DEI with MEI (Merit, Excellence, and Intelligence) This bill removes DEI initiatives from community colleges and private institutions receiving taxpayer funding through the Iowa Tuition Grant. Instead, it emphasizes Merit, Excellence, and Intelligence (MEI) as the guiding principles for higher education. It passed 61-37. Taxpayer Accountability: Taxpayer investment in higher education must deliver a return for taxpayers. The state has a vested interest in ensuring that public funds are used to address workforce shortages, not to enforce divisive ideological agendas. These bills represent a commitment to making sure that Iowa’s higher education system serves the needs of students and the state, not political movements. Side Note on University Endowments: About 17,000 of the 30,566 students at the University of Iowa are “in-state.” Tuition at the University of Iowa is currently about $11,300. The University of Iowa has 3 endowment funds that have accumulated some $3.5 billion. At least one of those funds earned 13% interest last year. 5.5% interest is enough to provide free tuition for every single Iowa student. I am NOT suggesting they do this, but I do wonder why the tuition continues to rise and why the need for taxpayer funding while sitting on an enormous pile of cash. Other Education-Related Bills This Week HF 782: No Phones During Instructional Time This bill mandates that school districts implement a policy that prohibits cell phone use during instructional time, at a minimum. While schools can establish stricter policies, this ensures a standard across the state. All of the educators, administrators and school board members I spoke to in and around my district have already implemented restrictions and all report excellent results. Clearly, schools already had the ability to do this without legislation, but without legislation, some schools just won’t do it. It passed 88-9. Nine Democrats voted against common sense. HF 784: Improving Mathematics Instruction This bill aims to identify children struggling with math and provide them with the personalized support they need. By requiring assessments three times a year from kindergarten through 6th grade, schools will be able to implement tailored intervention plans for students who are at risk. The bill enhances math instruction by offering teachers evidence-based professional development and high-quality teacher preparation. As math proficiency is critical for success in both education and the workforce, this bill seeks to address the decline in Iowa’s math rankings, which have dropped from 7th to 30th for 4th graders and from 15th to 23rd for 8th graders since 2019. It passed 82-16. HF 787: Iowa Education Teacher Salaries Reform This bill ensures the smooth implementation of the teacher salary increase from last session, which raised the minimum teacher salary from $33,500 to $50,000, with 12-year teachers guaranteed a minimum of $62,000. The bill also includes minor policy adjustments at the request of local school districts, including allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom at a minimum salary of $50,000 while still collecting their IPERS. It passed 96-1. HF 865: Clearing Up the Definition of Student Harassment and Bullying This bill revises the definition of harassment and bullying to focus on behavior that is repeated, targeted, and creates an objectively hostile school environment. By removing references to specific traits or characteristics of students, the new definition emphasizes that bullying can occur for any reason, not just related to race, sexual orientation, or religion. This change provides clearer guidelines for addressing bullying consistently and effectively in schools. It passed 64-33. HF 189: Eligibility of non-public school students to participate in athletics It used to be a normal occurrence in Iowa for a private school student to participate in sports at a public school when the private school doesn’t have a team. It was considered a win-win for school and student. Apparently, that has changed in some school districts. HF189 lays out clearly the obligation of public schools to allow access. It passed 63-33. HF 522:  Therapeutic Classroom Support through Nutritional Initiatives A “therapeutic classroom” is defined in Iowa code 256.25 as a “classroom designed for the purpose of providing support for any student whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with the student’s ability to be successful in the current educational environment, with or without supports, until the student is able to successfully return to the student’s current education environment, with or without supports, including but not limited to the general education classroom.” HF522 seeks to further define what that support might look like including student access to micronutrients and vitamin “D” and vitamin “K2”; assessing the macro-nutritional needs of students; providing minimally processed wholefoods, including fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and healthy animal-derived fats and proteins, including eggs, full-fat dairy products, beef, and bacon; restricting the use and availability of artificial or synthetic food additives that may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in students; remediating the negative impacts of excessive use of digital screens and devices on human biology; increasing student exposure to natural light or full spectrum lighting fixtures, etc. I was the lone Republican to vote against this bill because, in my opinion, it is overly prescriptive and doesn’t belong in Iowa code. It passed 66-32. HF 851: Student Nutrition and Curriculum A 2019 study showed 27-53% of school food is thrown away (40% on average). HF851 seeks a waiver of federal dictated requirements and a reinstitution of traditional and localized nutritional standards. It passed 60-36 HF 389:  Student Abuse by School Employees Teachers and administrators in Iowa are required to report when they suspect a student is being abused at home or elsewhere – unless the abuse is caused by another school employee. I know, right? This loophole in the law came to light recently when some abuse was occurring at a school, and it was handled “internally” by the school rather than reporting it to authorities. HF389 closes that loophole. It passed 96-0. Although not on the Education Committee, I monitored and engaged on this bill due to something that happened in Carroll about a decade ago and the impact it had on our recently departed County Attorney, John Werden. A student had been abused by a teacher for several years, was caught and sent to prison. Rather than being terminated, the school board opted to let the perpetrator retire, retaining his pension. An amendment to this bill added a section of code that the board “shall terminate” the abuser. I think Mr. Werden would be pleased by that add. HF 711: Barber Training Programs This bill allows licensed barbers to provide supervised training to an unlicensed barber in cutting hair and certain other services. Customers must be informed that the person performing a service is unlicensed and in training. Once the trainee completes 2,000 hours of practice, verified by the licensee, they are eligible to apply to take the licensing exam. It passed 67-29. HF 805: Dental Assistant Registration Along the same lines as HF711, HF805 allows a licensed dentist to hire an unlicensed person to act as dental assistant under their supervision. Rural dentists have particular difficulty recruiting licensed persons to perform functions they believe they can train them on locally.  It passed 70-19. Other Non Education-Related Bills This Week HF 886: Directing the DOT to Prioritize Making Highway 30 4-Lane Statewide I am told that Highway 30 was supposed to be a major highway through Iowa for over 50 years, but it never reaches the front of the DOT multi-year plan. This project has an estimated cost of $1.5 billion which is the entirety of the DOT annual funding. Carroll area businesspeople are very supportive of this expansion and the business it may bring. Others are not as supportive. Although not in the “plans” for a future expansion, it seems reasonable to assume that expansion will necessitate a bypass around Carroll. There were at least 2 studies I am aware of trying to determine if a bypass should go north or south around Carroll. It is not reasonable, to me, that a major 4-lane would tolerate the in town stop and go traffic lights and brick street scaping through Carroll. Regardless, my bigger issue is bypassing the DOT responsible for long term planning and engineering of our public roadways. I voted for the bill to keep the conversation at the forefront of the DOT but anticipate the bill will not be taken up by the Senate. It passed 81-15. HF 848: Makeup of the Transportation Commission Somewhat related to the Highway 30 issue is the lack of area representation on the transportation commission. HF848 creates 7 regions and requires representation from each region. Prior to this, my district had no representation on the transportation commission at all. It passed 96-0. HF 572: Criminal Offense of Smuggling HF572 makes it a felony to transport illegal immigrants with the intent to allude police. It details what activities may make it a class A, B or C felony. It passed 75-14. On Saturday, March 15th, I had the pleasure of joining Representative Steve Holt and Senator Jason Schultz in Harlan for the Shelby County forum. It was well attended and the audience brought good questions regarding civil rights, pipelines and property rights, federal funding for food hub programs, school funding and chemical company liability.

Williams Weekly Update: Week Nine Newsletter

Dear Constituents,

We have passed the half-way point of this 110-day legislative session. After a hectic funnel week, this week has been a bit slower in comparison. We’ve primarily focused on floor debates for the bills currently under consideration. By my count, 362 bills made it through the House funnel and 72 of those have been scheduled to be run on the House floor this week. Not all of the bills through funnel make it to the House floor for a vote, but we have our work cut out for us to consider the other 290 in a timely manner.

Williams Weekly Update: Week Eight Newsletter

Dear Constituents,

It was busy, snowy and cold in Des Moines this week. Despite the blizzard conditions that caused cancellation of a number of Capitol visits, the work of Funnel Week continued without pause. Bills not out of committee by the end of Funnel Week are likely dead for this session. Often, I’m ok with that.

There are currently over 1,200 bills in the House with 190 dated this week. Many of the late entries are “successor” bills – a bill that has been amended and given a new number. The LSA (Legislative Services Agency) does a great job working through the piles of bill requests and amendments, but we ask a lot of them. Some of these bills have been in the works for a while and just got through the LSA.

The committee pace can be frantic and frustrating, but it’s a critical part of the process.

Funnel Week:

They call it Funnel Week because a lot of bills are filtered down into a much smaller list – as if they are going through a funnel. I’m not sure that’s descriptive enough for this year. Perhaps ‘Stuffing’ week or ‘Cramming’ week would be more appropriate as we attempted to do too much in too little time. While some well supported bills manage to survive, many others are left behind, unable to clear the necessary checkpoints.

Bills that make it through the funnel are still subject to amendment and, even then, may not make it to the floor for debate. Those that do are likely to pass. Once passed through the House, they go over to the Senate to do the entire process again. Once both the House and Senate pass a bill with the same language and bill number, it can then go to the Governor for signature – or veto.

As frustrating and time consuming as the process is, the funnel process is a critical step toward keeping the legislative workload focused and manageable, especially given the limited time lawmakers have to act. Not every bill presented in the legislature can – or even should – be made into law.

Williams Weekly Update: Week Seven Newsletter

Dear Constituents,

If you followed the news this week, you’re undoubtedly aware that it was a bit contentious in the Iowa Capitol culminating Thursday with some 2,500 people in the building to protest. We are grateful for the state troopers who keep everyone safe when emotions run high.

Next week is “funnel week,” marking the deadline for bills to get through committees in either the House or the Senate in order to be considered this year. That does not apply to bills in Appropriations or Ways and Means.

Kuemper Kids: It is always a privilege to engage with constituents, but it’s especially fun for me to connect with our future leaders. Their enthusiasm and curiosity are truly inspiring, and I look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make in the years to come.

The week started off on a high note with a visit to one of the classes at Kuemper that had sent thoughtful, handwritten cards. I responded to all of their questions in a personal letter to each of the students and delivered Capitol bookmarks and copies of the Iowa Constitution.

Article V Convention of States: I met Senator Rick Santorum multiple times when he ran for President in 2012. No longer a US Senator, Santorum came to the Iowa Capitol this week to recruit support for a Convention of States. The right of the people to call for a convention is spelled out in Article V of the US Constitution which reads: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. A group Senator Santorum is associated with desires a convention of states to discuss Constitutional amendments to 1) limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, 2) impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, and 3) place term limits on federal officials. While Congress could do these things on their own, it shows no desire to limit its own power. Senator Santorum and I had a lengthy conversation, and he provided excellent responses to my questions. The platform of the Republican Party of Iowa opposes the Convention of States. The Iowa Democratic Party has not taken a position that I have seen.

Civil Rights: For most Iowans, keeping biological men out of girls’ locker rooms and showers is just common sense. Keeping men out of girls’ sports and protecting children from medical procedures that cause permanent disfigurement… also common sense. Requiring taxpayers to pay for sex change operations for prisoners? That is just nonsense. Nevertheless, that is where Iowans have found themselves. The Iowa Legislature attempted to “fix” these issues by passing laws that were overwhelmingly supported, but in 2019, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Iowans would still have to foot the bill for sex change operations for persons on Medicaid regardless of the law, citing the 2007 addition of “Gender Identity” as a protected class in Iowa’s civil rights code. The laws affecting bathrooms, showers, sports and surgeries on minors are likewise in jeopardy. A day will come with a court challenge to overturn them for the same reason. Just last week, a lawsuit was filed in Johnson County challenging the school bathroom law that was passed in 2023. The Iowa legislature was forced to make a choice between acting now to protect these policies or likely allowing Iowans to be subjected to situations they should not be forced into. On Thursday, the Iowa House and Senate passed a bill removing “gender identity” from the Civil Rights Code. The Governor signed it into law Friday. Every Iowan deserves to have their human rights protected and to be treated with dignity and respect. Despite the rhetoric of the left, this bill does not strip away basic rights from anyone. Transgender people have the same basic rights as you or I do.

Unlike sex and race, gender identity is not an immutable characteristic. While religion is not immutable, it is specifically protected in our US Constitution. The federal civil rights code, even after four years under Joe Biden, the most transgender-friendly president in history, does not include gender identity as a protected class. In fact, 28 other states do not have gender identity as a protected class, including three states with some of the largest populations of transgender individuals: Florida, Texas, and North Carolina. It stands to reason that if gender identity in the civil rights code were necessary to protect basic human rights, there would be no transgender persons living in Florida, Texas, North Carolina or 25 other states.

By passing this bill into law, we are taking a responsible step to protect the rights of all Iowans while doing what we can to ensure common-sense policies are respected and upheld.

Red Barn Solutions: On Friday, I, along with Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, had the opportunity to visit a company in Manning that has solved a significant agricultural issue.

We have been talking about the benefits of cover crops for years, but only four million of Iowa’s thirty million acres are currently planted with them annually. Cover crops typically get planted separately, after harvest, requiring additional labor, fuel, and equipment (IF the weather cooperates and other stars line up).

Enter “Harvest Seeder” from Red Barn Solutions. Harvest Seeder operates independently but fits on any combine to plant cover crop seed simultaneous with harvest. This technology can save the grower $8 per acre and easily moves from corn to soybean head or from last year’s combine to next year’s combine.

This is a game changing product invented right here in Iowa. For more info, check out their web site at www.Red-Barn.com.

Pottawattamie County Forum: The week wrapped up at a forum in Oakland, Iowa, hosted by Farm Bureau. I was happy to see all of the people who attended at the former high school turned awesome community center, Impact Hill. Senator Mark Costello and State Representative David Sieck were also on stage to answer questions from the public.

Although Oakland is not in my district, the nearby town of Avoca and the surrounding rural area are. We are looking for additional ways to connect with this section of the district and I thank Farm Bureau and County GOP Chair, Starlyn Perdue for the invitation and opportunity.

Williams Weekly Update: Week Six Newsletter

Dear Constituents,

Time sure is moving quickly—it’s hard to believe that we’re already six weeks into the legislative session. As always, we remain focused on our work in Des Moines, striving to pass legislation that will make a positive impact on your lives. Our committees and subcommittees have been meeting regularly, and we’re putting in the effort to move bills forward, amend them or reject them, with the goal of getting them considered before the first funnel. There’s a lot of hard work, conversations and research happening behind the scenes.

Iowa’s Community Colleges – I had a fantastic morning engaging with students, educators, and administrators from community colleges across Iowa during their Day on the Hill. Iowa is home to some truly exceptional community colleges that provide outstanding educational opportunities, preparing students for both successful careers and continued academic pursuits. The diversity of programs available is impressive, with fields like nursing, agriculture, and automotive mechanics standing out as just a few examples of the valuable training these institutions offer. It’s clear that these colleges play a vital role in shaping the future of our workforce and strengthening our communities.

Congresswoman visits the Capitol – It was a privilege to welcome Congresswoman Ashley Hinson to our state Capitol. Representative Hinson, who previously served in the Iowa House of Representatives, now represents Iowa’s second congressional district in the U.S. House. During her visit, she engaged with the Republican caucus, offering valuable insights into the current happenings in Washington, D.C. We greatly appreciate her time and the informative update on the work being done at the national level. Her perspective and leadership continue to make a positive impact on our state and country.

Minors driving to Church – Last week, I had the privilege of chairing the subcommittee for HF202, a bill that would allow drivers with a restricted minor’s license to drive, unsupervised, to places of worship. As part of the discussion, we added an amendment requiring parents to fill out a form—similar to the one used for allowing their children to drive to work. The minor must carry this form with them on their way to and from Church. I was pleased to see the bill pass out of subcommittee with strong bipartisan support.

This week, the bill was brought before the full Transportation Committee, and I’m happy to announce that it passed again with bipartisan backing. I firmly believe that allowing young drivers with a restricted license to attend religious services independently is reasonable and important. For many, their place of worship is a central part of their lives, just like work or school. This bill helps ensure that young drivers have the opportunity to attend services without relying on their parents to take them, which is especially beneficial for families where parents may have work commitments. By removing this barrier, we can make it easier for individuals to maintain their religious practices and community connections.

Naturally, there is concern with young people driving anywhere, but this activity requires written, parental consent. Additional opportunities to travel short distances give young drivers needed experience toward mastering driving skills.

Hemp – Wednesday, I attended an informative presentation featuring Dr. Ryan Vandrey from the Johns Hopkins Cannabis Science Laboratory, who spoke on the “Science of Hemp.” Dr. Vandrey made several compelling points and gave a thorough presentation.

This was one of those situations where: I had a window of free time – this presentation was available – and it presented an opportunity to learn from an expert. What wasn’t immediately obvious was the connection between this presentation and a bill passed last session.

Prior to last year some Iowa business owners had taken advantage of a lack of regulations to create products they sold over the counter and online with significant amounts of the hemp derived hallucinogenic, THC. Some of those business owners, and their lobbyist, were in the room for this presentation.

THC and hemp derived CBD appear to have legitimate pharmaceutical benefits particularly in the treatment of epilepsy and pain management.

The bill passed last year was not about pharmaceutical value or epilepsy management. It primarily addressed the issue of beverages, such as “Climbing Kites,” containing high amounts of THC and THC edibles, or “gummies.” Gummies pose a potentially significant risk to children who mistake them for candy.

THC is hallucinogenic. At high doses, it can mess with your perception of space, time and reality. Until the science becomes far clearer on THC safety, I’m not inclined to support modification of the current restrictions.

The Iowa Constitution – Today marked a significant milestone in preserving Iowa’s rich history as Secretary of State, Paul Pate, unveiled a new display case for our state’s original Constitution. Since 1857, the Secretary of State’s office has safeguarded this foundational document, and now, it is housed in a display case that reflects its profound importance to the people of Iowa.

The document is on public display in the Secretary of State’s office at the Capitol.

Iowa police and ICE – I attended the subcommittee on House Study Bill 187 which, if passed, would require all Iowa law enforcement agencies to enter written memorandums of agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement by January 1, 2026, specifically for the ‘jail enforcement model’ and the ‘warrant service officer’ program. The jail enforcement model allows Iowa law enforcement to identify and process individuals based on their citizenship status when in custody, while the warrant service officer program permits state and local officers to serve and execute administrative warrants for jailed individuals identified as removable under immigration law. The federal statute was implemented in 1996.

Although HSB187 is short, it alludes to federal laws that take a little more time to comprehend, and I haven’t fully done that, yet. This does not appear to ensnare local law enforcement in man hunts or actual deportations.

Iowa Civil Rights Code – While I was on the road for home Thursday evening, a new bill appeared, amongst the now nearly 800 other bills, regarding changes to Iowa’s civil rights law. In the next 24 hours, I received 350 emails on this topic alone.

I hope we can agree that every Iowan deserves to have their fundamental rights protected and to be treated with dignity and respect. Iowa’s civil rights law affords protections from discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, or disability similar to the federal Civil Rights Code. In 2007, the Iowa legislature added both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to that list of special classes.

The bill is only 13 pages, and I have read it but haven’t had the time to fully digest the implications or had the opportunity to discuss with others in depth. This will clearly be a hot topic over the coming weeks. I want to address what I know, or think I know, at this time.

Interestingly, the Federal Civil Rights Code does not include gender identity as a special protected class. The civil rights codes of most of the US states do not explicitly include gender identity. Removing gender identity from the list of special classes in Iowa would not strip transgender people of any basic rights, nor does it legalize discrimination. Rather, it aligns Iowa’s civil rights code with federal law and the majority of other states.

The inclusion of gender identity in Iowa’s civil rights has led to unintended consequences, including the infringement on women’s rights and burdens on taxpayers. In recent years, the Iowa Legislature has tried to address some of those issues by enacting several code changes including protections for girls’ sports, locker rooms, and restrooms, as well as prohibiting gender-transition procedures performed on minors.

In 2019, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Iowa taxpayers must pay for ‘gender-affirming care’ and ‘gender-transition’ surgeries for Iowans on Medicaid based on the fact that Iowa’s civil rights law includes gender identity as a protected class.

If gender identity remains a protected class in Iowa’s civil right code, the commonsense policies that Iowans overwhelmingly support will continue to face legal jeopardy, and taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for Medicaid patients.

I anticipate numerous, passionate protesters at the Capitol in the coming weeks.

Williams Weekly Update: Week Five Newsletter

Dear Constituents,

It’s hard to believe that the fifth week of the legislative session is already in the books! Time is flying by. It’s been a busy, frigid, snowy week here in Des Moines, but despite the weather, we’ve been hard at work addressing a wide range of issues from the critical debate over school funding to subcommittee discussions on safeguarding free speech for the press, and even exploring the topic of chemtrails.

This week began on a positive note as I received nearly 50 handwritten cards from Kuemper Catholic 7th and 8th graders in Carroll. Reading the letters and admiring their artwork is the highlight of my time so far in the House. Thanks to the teachers who organized and “encouraged” their students to participate. Reaching out to legislators fosters a sense of connection and highlights the importance of civil, civic engagement among the next generation.

This week, one of our main focuses has been on school SSA funding, required by law to be completed within 30 calendar days from the Governor’s Condition of the State Address. There are few things as important as educating Iowa’s youth which is why K-12 public school funding consumes 44% of the state’s budget. Including state, federal and property tax funding, Iowa’s public schools receive just under $9 billion annually. School funding is highly complex, and I believe it’s unlikely that anyone fully grasps all its intricacies. From my point of view, a comprehensive overhaul of the funding process in the near future seems necessary.

Earlier in the week, the Senate passed a bill to increase SSA funding by 2%, in line with the Governor’s proposed budget. Iowa House Republicans introduced an alternative proposal for a 2.25% increase, along with additional funding. A public hearing was held on Thursday at 11:00 AM for input, but of the ten individuals who signed up to speak, only two attended—both advocating for a 5% SSA ($150 million more) increase. Later in the afternoon, we debated the bill and several amendments. The bill passed the House with 58 votes in favor, 35 against, and 7 not voting. At the end of this newsletter is a brief summary of the bill, and I’ve also included additional information regarding ESAs.

Before the floor debate and vote on SSA funding, Representative Austin Harris introduced a resolution in support of Israel. The resolution affirms Iowa’s solidarity with Israel and supports their right to defend themselves against Hamas. I proudly voted in favor of this resolution, as I believe Israel has the right to do whatever is necessary to win the war against Hamas and to bring home the hostages still being held. I also voted for it to show support for Iowa’s vibrant Jewish community. While this resolution is largely ceremonial, it sends a strong message that Iowa stands firmly behind Israel. I served on the subcommittee for HSB116, Anti SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) legislation. SLAPP is a term used for civil lawsuits filed to intimidate a person or news organization from speaking publicly about an issue. Those bringing the suit might not even believe they can win in court but aim to stifle free speech by threatening expensive legal battles. Iowa is one of only 15 states without SLAPP protections. HSB116 would provide expedited relief in court on actions that involve free speech issues. In the Capitol, we run into constituents, special interest groups and lobbyists who quickly home in on bills that have meaning to them or their clients. If I’m not in a meeting, I often walk around the Rotunda and talk with whomever is there. The conversations are almost always pleasant and informative, but I do play devil’s advocate and try to argue the other side of whatever point they are trying to make. I was not on the subcommittee but was intrigued by HF191 and attended the packed meeting. The bill prohibits the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight. “Contrails” are water vapor that come out of a jet engine at high altitudes leaving white streaks that quickly dissipate. “Chemtrails” are thought to be more than condensation, including chemicals or biological agents sprayed for nefarious reasons. We’ve been seeding clouds with dry ice (solid CO2) since the end of WWII (maybe earlier). While the bill never mentions it, it was clear that citizens who attended the subcommittee wanted this passed to eliminate the chemtrail threat. There are multiple companies with products and services designed to be put in the sky for the purposes of affecting weather like American Elements, Fargo Jet, and Sky Water Ventures. The bill passed the subcommittee and heads to the full committee. This week, HSB106, a bill aimed at limiting students’ cell phone use during school hours, passed out of a subcommittee. I’ve consistently asked administrators and educators whether they already have the authority to regulate cell phone use. Every one of them (from my district) has confirmed that they do and have already implemented such controls. So, apparently, some schools outside of my district think it’s ok for students to text or talk on a cellphone during class for reasons that escape me. On one hand, we want local control. On the other hand, they have the authority and haven’t used it. Unfortunately, that leaves the state to codify it. This upcoming Saturday, the 22nd, we’ll be holding another legislative forum (weather permitting)! The Carroll forum will take place at the Breda Shelter House at 10:00 AM. I hope you can make it! These forums are a great opportunity for you to provide your input on legislation. It’s not a rarity for me to hear something from you that I was not aware of and took it back to the Capitol for discussion. I’d love to see you there!   Here is what is in the SSA funding bill passed by House Republicans: A 2.25% increase in SSA funding. Combined with the second phase of the teacher salary boost passed last session, totals $114.5 million in additional funding. A one-time 0.6% SSA payment increase, adds $22.6 million. A $10 per pupil equity increase, translating to a $5.8 million boost. Operational Sharing Budget increase of $1 million. School Transportation funding caps transportation costs for each district at the statewide average of $430, resulting in an additional $5.8 million. In FY 2025, the state allocated $3.7876 billion for K-12 public education. This bill would raise that figure to $3.9368 billion or  3.93%. Under this proposal, the new state cost per pupil would be $8,039. Public schools receive additional funding from the federal government and local property taxes. The total spend per student depends on the school. Now that the House has passed their version, the next step is to negotiate with the Senate on a common bill that both chambers can accept and the Governor will sign. Here’s a breakdown of how the increase in ESA funding compares to the increase in public school funding: Misleading Claims: Claims have circulated that we’re increasing ESA funding 44% while only increasing public school funding by 2.25%. True but misleading. The state spends far more for public schools than it does for ESAs. ESA and SSA Connection: The cost of ESA funding increases each year at the same rate as the SSA funding we set. This year, the ESA program is in its final year of expansion, meaning that all families will qualify, which is why the increase appears higher this year. Public School vs. ESA Spending: Even with the expansion of ESAs, the overall cost of the ESA program is still far less than the funding allocated to public schools. To put it simply, we continue to invest the bulk of resources in public education, and the ESA program still represents a much smaller portion of overall spending. For a clearer picture, here’s a side-by-side comparison in the attached graph to highlight the difference in funding allocations between the two. In the FY 2025 budget, state aid to public schools makes up 43.62% of the entire state budget—by far the largest allocation. In contrast, ESAs represent just 2.01% of the total budget. It’s important to note that ESAs are not breaking the state budget. They are a relatively small portion of the overall spending, and they do not prevent us from making the critical investments needed in our public school system. We are continuing to prioritize and fund public education while responsibly managing resources for all programs, including ESAs.