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[Dome]Interim Calendar and Briefing

October 11, 1995

Contents:
Calendar of Scheduled Meetings
Agenda Information Regarding Scheduled Meetings
BRIEFINGS - Information Regarding Recent Meetings

Calendar of Scheduled Meetings

Thursday, October 19, 1995
Blueprint for Iowa's Young Children Committee
10:00 a.m., Room 22
Friday, October 20, 1995
Blueprint for Iowa's Young Children Committee
9:00 a.m., Room 22

Intermediate Criminal Sanctions Task Force
10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Lucas Bldg., Hearing Room 2
Tuesday, October 24, 1995
Fiscal Committee of the Legislative Council - Tentative
10:00 a.m., Room 22
Thursday, October 24, 1995
Fiscal Committee of the Legislative Council - Tentative
10:00 a.m., Room 22
Thursday, October 26, 1995
Public Retirement Systems Committee
10:00 a.m., Room 22
Friday, October 27, 1995
Public Retirement Systems Committee
9:00 a.m., Room 22
Monday, November 6, 1995
Alternative Energy Production Committee - Tentative
9:00 a.m., Room 116
Tuesday, November 7, 1995
Alternative Energy Production Committee - Tentative
9:00 a.m., Room 116
Tuesday, November 7, 1995
Alternative Energy Production Committee - Tentative
9:00 a.m., Room 116
Wednesday, November 8, 1995
Blueprint for Iowa's Young Children Committee - Tentative
10:00 a.m., Room 22
Thursday, November 9, 1995
Housing Development Study Committee
Time to be Announced, Room 22
Tuesday, November 14, 1995
Administrative Rules Review Committee
10:00 a.m., Room 22
Wednesday, November 15, 1995
Administrative Rules Review Committee
9:00 a.m., Room 22

Agenda Information Regarding Scheduled Meetings

JOINT MEETING:
Business Taxation Study Committee
Nonbusiness Taxation Study Committee

Business Taxation Temporary Co-chairperson: Senator Tom Vilsack

Business Taxation Temporary Co-chairperson: Representative Roger Halvorson

Nonbusiness Taxation Temporary Co-chairperson: Senator William Palmer

Nonbusiness Taxation Temporary Co-chairperson: Representative Roger Halvorson

Blueprint For Iowa's Young Children Committee

Temporary Co-chairperson: Senator Elaine Szymoniak

Temporary Co-chairperson: Representative Danny Carroll

Intermediate Criminal Sanctions Task Force

Fiscal Committee of the Legislative CouncilTENTATIVE

Public Retirement Systems Committee

Temporary Co-chairperson: Senator John P. Kibbie

Temporary Co-chairperson: Representative Mona Martin

Alternative Energy Production CommitteeTENTATIVE

Temporary Co-chairperson: Senator Bill Fink

Temporary Co-chairperson: Representative Ronald Nutt

Blueprint for Iowa's Young Children Study Committee

Temporary Co-chairperson: Senator Elaine Szymoniak

Temporary Co-chairperson: Representative Danny Carroll

Housing Development Study Committee

Co-chairperson: Senator Michael Gronstal

Co-chairperson: Representative Libby Jacobs

Administrative Rules Review Committee

Co-chairperson: Senator Berl E. Priebe

Co-chairperson: Representative Janet Metcalf

BRIEFINGS - Information Regarding Recent Meetings

Housing Development Study Committee

October 4, 1995

Chairpersons - Next Meeting.
The Housing Development Study Committee elected Senator Michael Gronstal and Representative Libby Jacobs as Co-chairpersons and set the date for the second meeting of the Committee on November 9, 1995. At the second meeting, it is anticipated that advocates for the homeless and the Iowa Home Builders Association will speak to the Committee. Members of the Committee were also asked to provide the co-chairpersons with names of other individuals to provide testimony to the Committee.
State Programs.
Ted Chapler, Executive Director of the Iowa Finance Authority, and David Lyons, Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, provided the Committee with an overview of the housing programs administered by their agencies, and made recommendations to the committee, including expanding the availability of real estate improvement districts statewide (currently real estate improvement districts may be implemented in only six counties as part of a pilot project), make tax increment financing more available for housing by adding flexibility to the manner in which the low and moderate income housing requirement may be met, and provide an appropriation of $1.2 million to fund part of the match required by the federal HOME program.
Housing Summit.
Tom Hannafan and Glen Jesse, co-chairpersons of the Housing Summit created pursuant to House File 577 reviewed the report and recommendations of the Summit and the process by which the Summit reached the recommendations. Recommendations of the Summit include expanding the use of tax increment financing for housing, appropriating $10 million to the Iowa Finance Authority to make up for shortfalls in federal funding of housing programs, and making it easier and faster for cities to acquire derelict housing.
Federal Housing Update.
Joe O'Hern, representing the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and William McNarney, HUD State Coordinator for Iowa, discussed the Clinton administration and Congressional funding proposals for housing programs and the potential impacts on Iowa programs of the reductions in funding proposed by Congress. Currently, HUD is looking at an overall reduction in housing funding of about 20 percent. These reductions potentially could result in up to a $100 million annual decrease in HUD-related economic activity in Iowa.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
John McKinney and Robert Josten, attorneys specializing in municipal financing, discussed the history of tax increment financing (TIF) in Iowa. They explained how recent amendments limiting, for housing, the use of TIF to housing for persons with family incomes under 80 percent of the area median income has significantly restricted the ability of communities, particularly smaller communities, to use TIF for housing purposes. They also discussed possible changes to chapter 403A, regarding municipal housing projects, to provide more flexibility for communities to meet the need for low and moderate income housing and the need for other kinds of housing projects.
Builders.
A panel consisting of a manufactured housing representative, electrical contractor representative, and a lumber yard owner discussed housing issues from their perspective. Recommendations to the Committee included prohibiting real estate improvement districts discriminating against manufactured homes, requiring that affordable housing be a part of all comprehensive land use plans, and finding ways to reduce permitting costs and delays. It was also noted that capital access is a problem for both builders and buyers of homes and that the costs of developing lots often makes building a house in the $50,000 to $75,000 range unprofitable.
Developers.
A panel representing the housing financiers, developers, and realtors recommended redirecting real estate transfer tax proceeds, currently going to the state general fund, to the Iowa Finance Authority, and appropriating state funds to provide the local match required for the federal HOME program and to make up for lost federal funding. The Committee was also told that it should avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to solving Iowa's housing problems.

County Finance Committee

October 6, 1995
Background.
The County Finance Committee is a permanent committee created in chapter 333A, Code of Iowa, with duties associated with county finance reporting and practices. The Committee is authorized to adopt administrative rules which have the force and effect of law.
Management Position Filled.
Mr. Amosson announced the appointment of Mr. Mike Albers, formerly of both the Jones and Johnson County Auditors' offices, to the position of Supervisor of County Budgets for the Department of Management vacated by Ms. Chris Van Meter.
Budget Forms.
The Committee reviewed draft county budget forms for fiscal year 1996-1997. Most of the changes to the forms are either those annual changes necessary because of the next fiscal year (changing dates in headings), or those necessary by virtue of the enactment of Senate File 69, which created the MH/DD Services Fund. Committee members discussed the feasibility of either submitting county budget worksheets on computer disk or of counties accessing the State's mainframe and entering the budget information directly.
Levy Study.
Mr. Amosson reminded the Committee of the purpose of the county levy study in S.F. 69 which directs the County Finance Committee to study the possibility and feasibility of abolishing the supplemental levies under Iowa Code section 331.424, leaving only the general basic levy, (limited to $3.50 per $1,000 of taxable valuation), and the rural basic levy, (limited to $3.95 per $1,000 of taxable valuation). Senate File 69 struck from the allowable uses of the supplemental levy all references to funding MH/DD services. When the MH/DD Services Fund is in place, the primary purposes of the supplemental levy will be to fund elections, IPERS, tort liability, and the operation of the courts. The Committee deferred further discussion pending the completion of legislative appointments.
MH/DD Base Year.
Ms. Chris Van Meter, chairperson of the Committee, summarized for the members a meeting held earlier in the day between a subcommittee of the County Finance Committee and officials of the Department of Human Services. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss whether the base amount established in Senate File 69 for each county's MH/DD Services Fund should be determined on a basis other than Fiscal Year 1993-1994 expenditures for MH/DD services which is the base year in current law. Ms.Van Meter stated that the subcommittee will be holding further meetings with the Department relating to this matter.
Next Meeting.
The County Finance Committee will hold its next meeting on October 20, 1995, at 1:30 p.m.

Governor's Institutions Task Force

October 9, 1995
Background
Governor Branstad created the Institutions Task Force on October 3 to review and assess the operation of the four state mental health institutes (located in Cherokee, Clarinda, Independence, and Mount Pleasant) and two state hospital-schools (located in Glenwood and Woodward). The Task Force has 21 members representing state agencies, AFSCME, business interests, local government officials, and includes persons knowledgeable in mental health and developmental disabilities services. Mr. Mark McCormick of Des Moines is the Task Force chair.
Current Institutional Environment.
Mr. Harold Templeman, Division Administrator, Department of Human Services, described the current environment at the state mental health institutes (MHIs) and state hospital-schools (SHSs). Specific information was provided for each institution. The following general observations were made by various speakers during the day:
Treatment Changes.
There is less emphasis on long-term institutional treatment.
Connors Lawsuit.
A lawsuit consent decree issued in 1994 concerning the state hospital-schools (referred to as the "Connors" lawsuit) also demphasizes long-term treatment for persons with disabilities.
State Budget Reforms.
State budget reforms over the past several years have emphasized cost containment and the development of lower cost services. As the census at the institutions declines the cost per stay increases because fixed costs are spread over fewer persons.
Federal Cuts.
Up to two-thirds of the funding for the institutions is from federal matching funds. Impending federal changes in Medicaid and Medicare are likely to place greater financial pressure on the institutions.
Counties.
After federal funding, county payments for services provided at the institutions are the next largest funding source for institutions. The 1995 enactment of SF 69 will limit county spending for the types of services provided by the MHIs and SHSs.
Future Meetings.
A final report is expected from the Task Force in December. The Task Force discussed dividing into two subcommittees with one to focus on the MHIs and the other on the SHSs. The subcommittees would then make findings and recommendations for consideration by the entire Task Force. During discussion, it was suggested that additional information be provided to the entire Task Force before dividing into subcommittees. The Chair took this and other suggestions under advisement and will organize future meetings accordingly. All members were encouraged to visit the institutions.
Meeting Dates.
The following meeting dates were suggested but are likely to be revised due to conflicts: October 30 & 31; November 20 & 21; and December 11.

International Relations Committee of the Legislative Council

October 10, 1995
Overview.
The Committee discussed the background of the Committee, received information from interest groups, and discussed goals for the Committee.
Interest Group Updates.
Brief comments were provided by Ms. Sarah Lande, Iowa Sister States, Ms. Ann Schodde, Iowa Council for International Understanding, Mr. Harold Hommes, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Mr. Mike Doyle, Iowa Department of Economic Development.
Legislative Information Office Update.
Ms. Julie Livers, Director, Legislative Information Office, provided an update regarding international visitors, gifts, and translation efforts.
Committee Goals.
The Committee agreed upon the following goals:
Recommendations.
The Committee recommended the following:

461 TASK FORCE

October 10, 1995
Background.
The 461 Task Force was appointed by the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission in response to House File 461 which directs the Commission to initiate and complete a study concerning the possible sale of the Iowa communications network and the possible conversion of the network into a public utility. The Commission is directed to complete the study and deliver a written report to the members of the House Committee on Technology and the Senate Committee on Communications and Information Policy, the Chief Clerk, and the Secretary of the Senate.
Final Deliberations.
The Task Force reviewed final changes to the matrix which has been developed to provide information in a structure which is useful to the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission as it develops its recommendation or recommendations on the future of the Iowa Communications Network which are to be provided to the General Assembly by November 1, 1995. The Task Force also discussed the issue of who assumes the risk under each of the various options examined by the Task Force. The Task Force reviewed the contents of its final report and gave final drafting instructions to staff before adjourning its final meeting. The Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission will consider the report at its October 25, 1995, meeting.

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