MINUTES

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

November 25, 1997 -- Third Meeting of the 1997-1998 Biennium

MEMBERS PRESENT

MEETING IN BRIEF

Minutes prepared by Thane Johnson, Senior Research Analyst
Organizational staffing by Diane Bolender, Director

1. Procedural Business.
2. Educational Leave Report.
3. Pricing for the 1997 Code of Iowa Supplement.
4. Consideration of Supreme Court Rules Changes.
5. Report of the Fiscal Committee.
6. Report of the Service Committee.
7. Report of the Studies Committee.
8. Report of the Administration Committee.
9. Report of the Capital Projects Committee.
10. Attachments. (not included in web site version)

COMMITTEE BUSINESS

1. Procedural Business.

Call to Order. The third meeting of the 1997-1998 Legislative Council was called to order by Chairperson Senator Stewart Iverson, Jr., at 2:40 p.m., Tuesday, November 25, 1997, in Senate Room 22, State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa.

Minutes of June 25 Meeting. Chairperson Iverson asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of the June 25 meeting. There being none, Representative Connors moved that the minutes of the June 25 meeting be approved as submitted. The motion was adopted.

Adjournment. Senator Patty Judge moved that the Council meeting adjourn at 3:10 p.m. The motion was adopted.

2. Educational Leave Reports.

Chairperson Iverson recognized Ms. Diane Bolender, Director, Legislative Service Bureau, for an explanation of the educational leave reports. She stated that Iowa Code section 70A.25 requires each state agency to file an annual report itemizing the direct and indirect costs to the agency of educational leave and education assistance granted to its employees during the preceding fiscal year. The reports are to be filed with the Legislative Council and the Department of Personnel. She added that the reports are filed for informational purposes only. Representative Connors moved that the educational leave reports be received and filed with the Legislative Service Bureau. The motion was adopted.

3. Pricing for the 1997 Code of Iowa Supplement.

Ms. Bolender explained that Bill Bruce, Administrator, Printing and Records Team, Department of General Services, recommends that the price of the 1997 Code Supplement be set at $40.75. She stated that this price represents an increase of approximately 10 percent over the 1995 Code Supplement price. There being no comments, Senator Gronstal moved that the price of $40.75 be approved for the sale of the 1997 Code of Iowa Supplement. The motion was adopted. A copy of the memorandum from the Department of General Services is filed with the Legislative Service Bureau.

4. Consideration of Supreme Court Rules Changes.

Ms. Bolender stated that she had received from the Iowa Supreme Court three sets of proposed amendments to the Iowa Court Rules. The first set amends Iowa Rule of Appellate Procedure 1 and was dated October 30, 1997, and section 602.4202 provides that amendments will become effective 60 days after submission to the Legislative Council unless the effective date is delayed by the Legislative Council before that date. The second set, which was dated October 31, 1997, amends the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure. The third set, which was dated November 20, 1997, amends Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 30. Representative David Millage expressed the belief that amendments take effect 60 days after the Legislative Council acts on them. Senator Rod Halvorson suggested that the Code section should be clarified as to whether submitting a proposed form or amendment to the Secretary of the Legislative Council constitutes submission to the Legislative Council. Representative Betty Grundberg commented that she believes the proposed amendments should be assigned to a Council committee or subcommittee for review and recommendation to the full Council.

After discussion, Representative Millage moved that the proposed amendments to Iowa Rule of Appellate Procedure 1 and to the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure be received and filed without objection and that the effective date of the proposed amendments be delayed until January 25, 1998. Representative Millage also moved that the proposed amendments to Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 30 be received and filed without objection. After discussion, Senator Johnie Hammond noted that January 24, 1998, coincides with the 60-day waiting requirement. The date change was adopted. Representative Millage also offered an amendment that the Legislative Service Bureau work with the Committees on Judiciary and the Iowa Supreme Court to develop amendments to Code section 602.4202 relating to the effective dates of Supreme Court Rule amendments and form changes and publication of those changes. The motion as amended was adopted. A copy of the amendments proposed by the Iowa Supreme Court are filed with the Legislative Service Bureau.

5. Report of the Fiscal Committee.

Chairperson Iverson recognized Representative Millage to present the Report of the Fiscal Committee. Representative Millage stated that the Report covers five meetings of the Fiscal Committee held on July 22, August 27, September 22, October 29, and November 18, 1997. He stated the Fiscal Committee received reports on fiscal year 1997 appropriations transfers, lease-purchase acquisitions, the Iowa Communication Network status, and financial projections. He concluded his presentation by stating that the Committee tentatively plans its next meeting on January 7, 1998. There were no comments or questions concerning the Report. Representative Millage moved the adoption of the Report of the Fiscal Committee. The motion was adopted. A copy of the Report of the Fiscal Committee is attached to and by this reference made a part of these minutes.

6. Report of the Service Committee.

Representative Brent Siegrist was recognized to present the Report of the Service Committee. Representative Siegrist stated that the Committee received and filed personnel reports from the Central Legislative Staff Agencies, and recommends the promotion of certain named staff of the Central Legislative Staff Agencies; recommends the approval of budgets and budget allocations of the Central Legislative Staff Agencies for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1998; recommends adoption of a proposed supplemental budget allocation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, for the Legislative Fiscal Bureau; recommends the Computer Support Bureau continue to store home pages for each of the legislative caucuses for an additional six-month trial period; and recommends the approval of certain amendments to the Personnel Guidelines of the Central Legislative Staff Agencies. Representative Siegrist moved the adoption of the Report of the Service Committee. The motion was adopted. All members of the Legislative Council who were present voted yes, except that Senator Gronstal voted no. A copy of the Report of the Service Committee is attached to and by this reference made a part of these minutes.

7. Report of the Studies Committee.

Representative Gipp was recognized to present the Report of the Studies Committee. Representative Gipp stated that the Committee recommends the approval of the expenditure of $50,000 as a joint expense by the Commission on Urban Planning, Growth Management of Cities, and Protection of Farmland, and the extension of the November 28, 1997, deadline for four listed interim studies. The Report also requests that the Legislative Council consider creating Medicaid Managed Care Work Groups as specified in the Report. In reply to a question by Representative Millage, Chairperson Iverson replied that the expenditure of the $50,000 by the Commission on Urban Planning, Growth Management of Cities, and Protection of Farmland is dependent on an equal dollar match of those moneys from private sources. Representative Gipp moved the adoption of the Report of the Studies Committee. The motion was adopted by voice vote. Representative Millage voted in the negative. In response to a question, Chairperson Iverson stated that the adoption of the motion included approval for the creation of and funding for the Medicaid Managed Care Work Groups. A copy of the Report of the Studies Committee is attached to and by this reference made a part of these minutes.

8. Report of the Administration Committee.

Senator John Jensen presented the Report of the Administration Committee. Senator Jensen stated that the Committee received an Outreach Program proposal from the State Capitol Tour Guides, which involves producing a 45-minute one-act play about Alfred Piquenard, the primary architect of the State Capitol. The Tour Guides are seeking the endorsement of the Iowa General Assembly from the Iowa Legislative Council that can be used in soliciting grant funding to pay the costs of the play performances and travel to schools throughout the state. The Committee recommends that the Legislative Council endorse the proposed Outreach Program and provide a letter of endorsement to support the solicitation of grant funds. Senator Jensen moved the adoption of the Report. Senator Judge expressed support for the proposal and suggested continued involvement of the Committee as the play and supporting curriculum are developed. Representative Siegrist also extended his support for the recommendation of the Committee and the action of the Service Committee for pay increases for the Tour Guides. The motion was adopted. A copy of the Report of the Administration Committee is attached to and by this reference made a part of these minutes.

9. Report of the Capital Projects Committee.

Senator Jensen was next recognized for the Report of the Capital Projects Committee. He stated that the Committee had received a report from the Capital Projects Work Group whose members are Senators Jensen and Judge and Representatives Gipp and Murphy. The Work Group recommends the employment of Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck Architecture to complete a legislative space study of the State Capitol. He added that, subject to approval of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Legislative Council, the consultant will provide a legislative space usage study of the State Capitol by early February 1998. He added that the cost of the study will not exceed $82,800 plus itemized expenses not to exceed an additional 5 percent. Senator Jensen moved that the Report of the Capital Projects Committee be adopted. The motion was adopted. A copy of the Report of the Capital Projects Committee is attached to and by this reference made a part of these minutes.

10. Attachments.

a. Memorandum regarding pricing for the 1997 Iowa Code Supplement.

b. Report of the Fiscal Committee.

c. Report of the Service Committee.

d. Report of the Studies Committee.

e. Report of the Administration Committee.

f. Report of the Capital Projects Committee.

OTHER INFORMATION FOR THIS COMMITTEE:

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