State Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls)

Greetings friends and neighbors! Just before 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, the Iowa Senate adjourned for the year. About an hour later, the House of Representatives adjourned, concluding the 2024 legislative session. The final day was a marathon, with lots of bills making their way to the Governor’s desk at the last minute and many other bills dying for lack of agreement between the two legislative chambers.

After trying to catch up on sleep a bit over the weekend, we legislators now fully turn our attention back to our districts. The calendar is already filling up with meetings and events in our communities, and I’m excited to settle back into the routine of engaging with constituents and serving you in whatever ways I can be helpful.

I love helping constituents, so please reach out to me at eric.giddens@legis.iowa.gov or (319) 230-0578 whenever I can do so, or if you simply have issues or concerns you’d like to share with me. It is an honor to serve you all! Happy Spring!

The 2024 Legislative Session Ends

We. Are. Adjourned.

At about 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, the 2024 legislative session adjourned sine die, ending our work in the Statehouse for the year.

Iowa Senate Democrats opened this session promising to offer a better deal for Iowans, with specific plans to increase opportunity and freedom for our constituents, and accountability in state government.

Unfortunately, the majority party often refused to join us in that effort. For instance, when Gov. Reynolds demanded the dismantling of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, my Democratic colleagues and I listened to Iowans’ outpouring of concern and brought their voices to the Capitol. My friends across the aisle chose instead to side with the governor over their constituents and passed a bill that will have devastating impacts on our AEAs.

I remain committed to representing all Iowans. I’m committed to listening to you and reflecting your values in the Statehouse. And while the legislative session is over, my work is far from done. I look forward to remaining in touch, and I hope to hear from you in the weeks and months ahead about how we can achieve a better deal for Iowans.

New option for behavioral health treatment

In the final days of the legislative session, the Senate unanimously passed House File 2397, which permits ambulance services to deliver patients experiencing a mental health crisis to mental health access centers across the state. The bill helps ensure individuals needing behavioral health treatment get the services they need in the most appropriate and effective setting, rather than defaulting to a hospital emergency department. The bill now just needs the governor’s approval to become law.

Apply for the Iowa Youth Congress

The Iowa Youth Congress is seeking up to 100 Iowa high school students from all backgrounds for a hands-on education in state government, democracy, advocacy, and civic engagement. IYC participants gain the knowledge, abilities, and direction to advocate and enact change in their communities and at the state level, while also learning public speaking, problem-solving, and political debate skills in a multicultural leadership setting. Applications close June 1. To apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesNcTwPvsGUAiQTcusq30b0ywI74gP84sEEAW7iljVtolRgA/viewform

Be a poll worker

Poll workers serve a critical role in Iowa’s elections process, checking in voters, ensuring correct ballots, answering questions, and keeping elections running smoothly – and they’re needed in every Iowa county this year. Poll workers are civic-minded Iowans who want to serve their communities and ensure safe and secure elections for their neighbors. Visit Pollworker.Iowa.Gov to learn more and sign up today.

On alert for avian influenza this migration season

With spring bird migration in full swing, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly reminding Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect flocks and herds. IDALS offers biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds alongside numerous other biosecurity resources for poultry producers and livestock farms on its avian influenza website.

Choose Iowa Calendar Contest

The Iowa Department of Agriculture is once again sponsoring the Choose Iowa coloring calendar contest. School-age students up to age 18 are invited to submit artwork featuring at least one aspect of Iowa agriculture – with an emphasis on food, livestock, or crop production. Pictures should be original creations, drawn on plain white paper using only black lines. Entries must be received by June 3. Winners will be honored at the Iowa State Fair. Submission form: https://www.chooseiowa.com/calendar-contest

State Senator Eric Giddens represents Iowa Senate District 38 including Cedar Falls, Hudson, Traer, Dysart, Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, Gilbertville, Washburn, LaPorte City and Mount Auburn. Contact Sen. Giddens at 319-230-0578 or eric.giddens@legis.iowa.gov.