Dave Sires (R-Cedar Falls).

We are now fourteen weeks into the 2025 legislative session, and the pace at the Capitol remains brisk. This week alone, the Senate passed more than 30 bills addressing a variety of important topics, from civics education requirements for high school students to interstate compacts for health professionals and protections for First Amendment rights.

Preparing Iowa for Natural Disasters

In the past year, Iowa communities have endured a series of devastating natural disasters – including high winds, severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes. While recovery is ongoing, it’s critical that state and local governments are fully equipped to respond swiftly and effectively when disaster strikes.

To that end, the Senate passed Senate File 619, a key piece of legislation proposed by Governor Reynolds. This bill strengthens Iowa’s disaster response by providing financial assistance for recovery efforts and safeguarding homeowners and businesses from fraud during vulnerable times. It ensures that Iowans affected by disasters are supported by trustworthy organizations and have access to the resources they need to rebuild.

Increasing Access to Dietitians

This week the Senate also approved House File 532, establishing the Dietitian Licensure Compact in Iowa. This compact streamlines licensing across state lines, enhancing cooperation among licensure boards, improving efficiency, and retaining Iowa’s jurisdiction over professionals practicing within our borders.

Beyond regulatory improvements, the compact will have a meaningful impact on health care access and economic growth. It expands employment opportunities for dietitians, supports rural workforce development, encourages telehealth services, and helps reduce health care costs through better access to nutritional care. These changes are particularly important as we continue working to improve health outcomes across the state.

Protecting Iowans from Future Tax Hikes

April 15 – Tax Day – served as a timely backdrop for Senate Republicans to pass Senate Joint Resolution 11, a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to raise income taxes in Iowa. The resolution requires a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the Legislature to raise income tax rates or create a new tax.

Since 2017, Republicans have enacted major tax reforms to make Iowa more competitive, simplify our tax code, and provide real relief to families, farmers, and small businesses. We’ve eliminated the inheritance tax, ended taxation on retirement income, and implemented a historic flat tax–accelerated to take effect on January 1 of this year. Today, Iowa boasts one of the lowest income tax rates in the Midwest and ranks sixth-lowest in the nation.

SJR 11 has now passed the Senate for a second time. If approved by the House, the proposal will be placed on the ballot in 2026, giving Iowans the final say in enshrining this taxpayer protection in our Constitution

State Senator Dave Sires represents Iowa Senate District 38 including Cedar Falls, Hudson, Traer, Dysart, Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, Gilbertville, Washburn, LaPorte City and Mount Auburn. Contact Sen. Sires at dave.sires@legis.iowa.gov.