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Interim Calendar and Briefing
November 8, 1995
- Contents:
- CALENDAR OF SCHEDULED MEETINGS
- AGENDA INFORMATION REGARDING SCHEDULED MEETINGS
- BRIEFINGS - INFORMATION REGARDING RECENT MEETINGS
- Monday, November 13, 1995
- Administrative Rules Review Committee
- 10:00 a.m., Room 22
- Tuesday, November 14, 1995
- Administrative Rules Review Committee
- 9:00 a.m., Room 22
- Wednesday, November 15, 1995
- One-Call Statewide Underground Facility Notification Study Committee
- POSTPONED--TO BE RESCHEDULED
- Friday, November 17, 1995
- Business Taxation Study Committee
- 10:00 a.m., Room 22
- Tuesday, November 21, 1995
- Fiscal Committee of the Legislative Council - Tentative
- 10:00 a.m., Des Moines, Exact Location to be Announced
- Wednesday, November 29, 1995
- Legislative Council and Council Committees - Tentative
- Times to be Announced, Room 2
- Wednesday, December 6, 1995
- Senate File 13 (Parental Notification) Conference Committee
- 10:00 a.m., Room 22
- Tuesday, December 12, 1995
- Administrative Rules Review Committee
- 10:00 a.m., Room 22
- Wednesday, December 13, 1995
- Administrative Rules Review Committee
- 9:00 a.m., Room 22
- Thursday, December 14, 1995
- Public Retirement Systems Study Committee - Tentative
- 10:00 a.m., Room 22
Co-chairperson: Senator Berl E. Priebe
Co-chairperson: Representative Janet Metcalf
- Location: Committee Room 22, State House, Des Moines
- Date & Time: Monday, November 13, 1995, 10:00 a.m.; Tuesday, November 14, 1995, 9:00 a.m.
- Tentative Agenda: Agenda Published in the Administrative Bulletin
- FURTHER IFORMATION: | CHARGE | MEMBERS | STAFF | PUBLIC HEARINGS |
Co-chairperson: Senator Tom Vilsack
Co-chairperson: Representative Roger Halvorson
- Location: Committee Room 22, State House, Des Moines
- Date & Time: Friday, November 17, 1995, 10:00 a.m.
- Tentative Agenda:
- Presentations from various individuals and groups relating to their business tax.
- FURTHER IFORMATION: | CHARGE | MEMBERS | STAFF | MINUTES |
Co-chairperson: Senator Larry Murphy
Co-chairperson: Representative David Millage
- Location: Des Moines, Exact Location to be Announced
- Date & Time: Tuesday, November 21, 1995, 10:00 a.m.
- Tentative Agenda: Agenda to be Announced
- FURTHER IFORMATION: | CHARGE | MEMBERS | STAFF | MINUTES |
Chairperson: Speaker Ron Corbett
Vice Chairperson: Senator Wally Horn
- Location: Committee Room 22, State House, Des Moines
- Date & Time: Wednesday, November 29, 1995, All Committee Times to be Announced
- Tentative Agendas: Agendas to be Announced
- FURTHER IFORMATION: | CHARGE | MEMBERS | STAFF | MINUTES |
Senate File 13 (Parental Notification) Conference Committee
Co-chairperson: Senator Elaine Szymoniak
Co-chairperson: Representative Dan Boddicker
- Location: Committee Room 22, State House, Des Moines
- Date & Time: Wednesday, December 6, 1995, 10:00 a.m.
- Staff: Patty Funaro (515) 281-3040
- Tentative Agenda: Agenda to be Announced
Co-chairperson: Senator Berl E. Priebe
Co-chairperson: Representative Janet Metcalf
- Location: Committee Room 22, State House, Des Moines
- Date & Time: Tuesday, December 12, 1995, 10:00 a.m.; Wednesday, December 13, 1995, 9:00 a.m.
- Tentative Agenda: Agenda Published in the Administrative Bulletin
- FURTHER IFORMATION: | CHARGE | MEMBERS | STAFF | PUBLIC HEARINGS |
October 30-31, 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 or MHIs (located in Cherokee, Clarinda, Independence, and Mount Pleasant) and two state hospital-schools or SHSs (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.
- Institutions Presentations.
- The Task Force heard presentations from the superintendents of the four MHIs and the two SHSs. Most of the presenters were joined by a mayor, legislator, or other public official, an economic development official, or other citizen to provide the perspective of the community in which the institution is located.
- Member Presentations.
- A Task Force member made a presentation concerning the population of persons with mental illness. Another member provided the perspective of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) concerning the institutions. A community-based service provider discussed services for, and issues concerning, the population of persons with mental retardation.
- Issues.
- Issues raised during the presentations include the following:
- Cost effectiveness.
- Cost information presented suggests that the rates for care at the institutions may be competitive when compared with like private institutions.
- Community-based Services. Many stressed the importance of maintaining institution-based services until community-based services are developed. In addition, it was noted that the institutions have been active in providing technical assistance for community-based programs.
- Specialized Treatment. The institutions have developed a strong emphasis on specialized treatment for persons who are difficult to treat, require chronic care, or have a dual diagnosis.
- Competition With Private Sector. Concern was raised that the state institutions are providing services that may be provided by the private sector. It was noted that concern over public institutions competing with private entities has resulted in a number of legal restrictions on the activities of the institutions.
- Employee Skills. Employee dedication at the state institutions is strong and turnover is low. The pool of employees has been developed over a long period of time.
- Funding. It was noted that the institutions are funded by a combination of federal, county, and state moneys and attention should be given to cost shifting between those funding sources.
- Clarify State Role. Part of the Task Force emphasis should be to clarify the state public policy role in terms of assistance to persons with a disability.
- Next Meeting.
- The Task Force staff is compiling the discussion into a draft document detailing the Task Force's mission statement, principles, and issues for consideration to guide the Task Force's decisionmaking. The next meeting is scheduled for November 20 and 21.
- Task Force Staff: Mr. Gerd Clabaugh, Iowa Department of Public Health
- LSB Monitor: John Pollak
November 3, 1995
- Background.
- The Nonbusiness Taxation Study Committee held its second meeting on Friday, November 3, 1995, in Room 22, State Capitol, Des Moines. The charge of the Committee is to review nonbusiness state taxation, including property, income, sales, and inheritance taxes; and to analyze tax equity, tax incentives and disincentives for economic development and, the long-term objectives of nonbusiness taxation.
- Status of Federal Tax Changes.
- Mr. Lorin Knapp, Department of Revenue and Finance, reviewed for the Committee the status of pending federal tax and budget legislation Mr. Knapp also provided a handout to members of the Committee which detailed some of the tax provisions most likely to be contained in the final version of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act.
- Senate File 69 MH/DD Vetoes.
- Ms. Gretchen Tegeler, Department of Management, and Mr. John Easter, Iowa State Association of Counties, made separate presentations on the Governor's vetoes of certain provisions of the MH/DD division of Senate File 69. Ms. Tegeler stated that the two principles guiding the Governor in his review of the legislation were that cost containment be achieved throughout the MH/DD delivery system; and that discernible property tax relief be realized as a result of the State's increased funding of MH/DD services. Mr. Easter outlined the concerns of county officials raised by the vetoes, particularly the veto of the inflation growth factor and the veto of the language limiting a county's liability to provide MH/DD services if money in the MH/DD fund is fully expended.
- Polk/Des Moines Taxpayers Association.
- Ms. Christine Van Meter, President, highlighted the Association's more pressing legislative priorities, including achieving equity in the tax assessment of property, reimbursing local governments for the costs of some state-mandated programs, and allowing tax base sharing between local governments. Ms. Van Meter, as chair of the state's County Finance Committee, also discussed the use of 1994 MH/DD expenditures as the base year amount limiting the amount of property tax dollars that may be collected for MH/DD services and suggested consideration be given to moving to a FY 1996 levy amount as the base year.
- Tax Exempt Property.
- Ms. Christine Hensley, Des Moines City Council member and Mr. Jim Maloney, Des Moines City Assessor, made a presentation on the property tax inequities created by the large amount of tax-exempt property concentrated in the central city area of older urban communities. Ms. Vicky Atkins, Blackhawk County Assessor, also made a presentation on tax-exempt property. Ms. Atkins stated that the rule of law, i.e., that there is a presumption against exemption, has been lost among the growing complexity in the environment of tax-exempt organizations. The current situation has given rise to tax inequities between taxing jurisdictions and among taxpayers in the same jurisdiction.
- Assessors' Property Tax Study.
- Mr. Will Ament, Allamakee County Assessor, and Mr. Dave Ellis, Calhoun County deputy assessor, presented to the Committee the initial results of its survey of assessors concerning property tax credits and exemptions.
- Inheritance Tax.
- Mr. Carl Castelda, Department of Revenue and Finance, reviewed elements of the State's inheritance tax, including computation of the tax, valuation of property in an estate, and exemptions from the tax. He also presented to the Committee a summary of the objectives and status of a study of inheritance tax returns recently filed with the State. Preliminary findings from the study indicate that 30 percent to 35 percent of inheritance tax paid to the State is paid by out-of-state beneficiaries; and that approximately 32 percent of net estate value is attributable to real estate.
- Value-Added Tax Credit.
- Economist John Lawrence, Iowa State University, presented an analysis of a value-added tax credit for livestock based on corn feeding rates. The Committee invited Dr. Lawrence back to present a more in-depth analysis.
- Next Meeting.
- The third meeting of the Nonbusiness Taxation Study Committee will be announced.
- Staff: Susan Crowley, Mike Goedert
November 6, 1995
- Background.
- Following many prior years of proposed legislation on expansion of the lead abatement program through the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the 1995 General Assembly passed House File 530 in which IDPH is directed to organize a coalition of interest group representatives to meet and make recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 1996 for proposed legislation regarding lead-poisoned persons.
- ICN Meeting.
- The third meeting of the Lead Poisoning Coalition was held in an Iowa Communications Network (ICN) Studio, and was broadcast via the ICN to sites in Sioux City, Iowa City, and Bettendorf. The meeting included the following highlights:
- Discussion.
- Ms. Rita Gergely, IDPH Lead Program Manager, reviewed information mailed to the members of the Coalition and moderated a discussion of issues including health implications of lead poisoning, federal regulations, state and local programs, and funding.
- Recommendation Topics.
- Mr. Mark Schoeberl, IDPH, Legislative Liaison and meeting moderator, moderated a discussion of recommendations of the Coalition. The participants noted the following issues as areas for recommendation:
- There is a problem with lead-poisoning of children in Iowa.
- A contributing factor to lead-poisoning of children in Iowa is older housing stock.
- Education is necessary to assist homeowners, landlords, tenants and others in the problem of lead-poisoning and in proper remediation.
- What should be included in a pamphlet provided to those dealing with the problem of lead-poisoning in children.
- Should the state have a certification program for those who provide lead abatement or similar services as a profession and what should this certification program include?
- How should environmental screening, assessments and case management be handled, i.e. should there be a prioritization according to risk factors
- What is the role of the landlord, tenant, homeowner in prevention and remediation of lead hazards?
- What fiscal alternatives are available to pay for the costs of a lead hazards program.
- Next meeting.
- The Coalition scheduled a tentative fourth meeting for Monday, December 4, 1995 through the use of the ICN with the time to be announced at a later date. The tentative agenda for the next meeting will be the development of recommendations to submit to the General Assembly in January 1996.
- LSB Monitor: Patty Funaro
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