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Eighteenth Calendar Day - Twelfth Session Day Hall of the House of Representatives Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, January 28, 1999 The House met pursuant to adjournment at 9:02 a.m., Speaker Corbett in the chair. Prayer was offered by Reverend Paul Akin, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Indianola. The Journal of Wednesday, January 27, 1999 was approved. PETITION FILED The following petition was received and placed on file: By Dolecheck of Ringgold, from one hundred twenty-two constituents of District 88 favoring creating a dove hunting season in the State of Iowa. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS House File 161, by Ford, a bill for an act to extend the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to include adoption and termination of parental rights proceedings. Read first time and referred to committee on human resources. House File 162, by Dotzler, a bill for an act relating to the time of possession of deer venison and subjecting violators to an existing penalty. Read first time and referred to committee on natural resources. House File 163, by Wise, Heaton, Reynolds, Larkin, Greiner, and Cohoon, a bill for an act relating to counties included in the mid- America port commission. Read first time and referred to committee on local government. House File 164, by committee on judiciary, a bill for an act concerning the open meetings statute by permitting the awarding of appellate attorney fees for a successful action involving the statute. Read first time and placed on the calendar. House File 165, by committee on judiciary, a bill for an act including the preparation or compounding of a controlled substance for one's own use within the definition of manufacturing a controlled substance, and providing an effective date. Read first time and placed on the calendar. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE The following messages were received from the Senate: Mr. Speaker: I am directed to inform your honorable body that the Senate has on January 27, 1999, passed the following resolution in which the concurrence of the Senate was asked: House Concurrent Resolution 5, a concurrent resolution relating to joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives for the Seventy-eighth General Assembly. Also: That the Senate has on January 27, 1999, passed the following bill in which the concurrence of the Senate was asked: House File 146, a bill for an act relating to the establishment of the state percent of growth for purposes of the state school foundation program, and providing an applicability date. Also: That the Senate has on January 27, 1999, passed the following bill in which the concurrence of the Senate was asked: House File 147, a bill for an act providing additional funding for certain school districts that have either decreasing or increasing enrollments by extending the regular program district cost guarantee and by providing on-time funding, making an appropriation, and providing effective and applicability dates. Also: That the Senate has on January 27, 1999, passed the following bill in which the concurrence of the House is asked: Senate File 10, a bill for an act relating to the issuance of nonresident hunting licenses, to the maximum number of deer and wild turkey hunting licenses issued to nonresidents, and to certain allocations of nonresident licenses, and providing an effective date. Also: That the Senate has on January 27, 1999, passed the following bill in which the concurrence of the House is asked: Senate File 37, a bill for an act relating to the hunting of mourning doves and subjecting violators to a penalty. Also: That the Senate has on January 27, 1999, passed the following bill in which the concurrence of the House is asked: Senate File 47, a bill for an act relating to the classification of funding agreements issued by a life insurance company for purposes of the prioritization of claims against the assets of an insurer subject to supervision, rehabilitation, and liquidation, and including an effective date and a retroactive applicability provision. Also: That the Senate has on January 27, 1999, passed the following bill in which the concurrence of the House is asked: Senate File 51, a bill for an act authorizing a county conservation board to cooperate with private, not-for-profit organizations to carry out conservation and recreation programs. Also: That the Senate has on January 27, 1999, passed the following resolution in which the concurrence of the House is asked: Senate Concurrent Resolution 2, a concurrent resolution relating to the compensation of chaplains, officers and employees of the seventy-eighth general assembly. MICHAEL E. MARSHALL, Secretary The House stood at ease at 9:10 a.m., until the fall of the gavel. The House resumed session at 9:35 a.m., Speaker Corbett in the chair. COMMITTEE TO NOTIFY THE SENATE Greiner of Washington moved that a committee of three be appointed to notify the Senate that the House was ready to receive it in joint convention. The motion prevailed and the Speaker appointed as such committee: Greiner of Washington, Klemme of Plymouth and Taylor of Linn. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO NOTIFY THE SENATE Greiner of Washington, chair of the committee appointed to notify the Senate that the House was ready to receive it in joint convention, reported that it had performed its duty. The report was accepted and the committee discharged. The Sergeant-at-Arms announced the arrival of the President of the Senate, the Secretary of the Senate and the honorable body of the Senate. The President was escorted to the Speaker's station, the Secretary of the Senate to the Chief Clerk's desk and the members of the Senate were seated in the House chamber. In accordance with law and House Concurrent Resolution 6, duly adopted, the joint convention was called to order, President Kramer presiding. Senator Iverson of Wright moved that the roll call be dispensed with and that the President of the joint convention be authorized to declare a quorum present. The motion prevailed. President Kramer announced a quorum present and the joint convention duly organized. The Legislative Inaugural Committee, consisting of Senators Hedge of Mahaska, Boettger of Shelby, Rife of Cedar, Dearden of Polk, Dvorsky of Johnson and Fraise of Lee, on the part of the Senate and Representatives Lord of Dallas, Larson of Linn, Heaton of Henry, Foege of Linn, Ford of Polk and Mascher of Johnson, on the part of the House were appointed to notify Governor Thomas J. Vilsack that the joint convention was ready to receive him. Secretary of State, Chester J. Culver; Treasurer of State, Michael Fitzgerald; Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Patty Judge; State Auditor Dick Johnson and Attorney General Tom Miller were escorted into the House chamber. The Supreme Court Justice, the Justices of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge and Judges of the Appellate court were escorted into the House chamber. Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson was escorted into the House chamber. The inaugural committee waited upon Governor Thomas J. Vilsack and escorted him to the Speaker's station. President Kramer then presented Governor Thomas J. Vilsack who delivered the following address: Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members of the General Assembly, Chief Justice McGiverin and Distinguished Members of the Judiciary, Lieutenant Governor Pederson, Esteemed Statewide Elected Officials, Special Guests, My Fellow Citizens of Iowa. Let me begin by reading a letter from a very important person in Iowa. She wrote to me: "Dear Governor Vilsack, What are you going to do about pollution? I would tell the people not to! I don't like pollution. Do you? So what are you going to do about schools? I really like my school. Can we have more time to read? So what are you going to do?" No-one is more important to me than Iowa's children. So when Alexandra Swanson, a third-grader from Beaver Creek Elementary School in Johnston wrote to me I paid attention, and so should we all. Let me rephrase her question for the benefit of the assembled body, "What are we going to do?" I come here to the General Assembly for the first time. It is a time filled with excitement and a little concern. Concern that I do the right thing. I've never done this before. When you do something for the first time, you prepare as best you can to get the best information and advice that you can, you make our best judgments, then the moment comes. You do something for the first time. I can't help but reflect today on the significance and importance of "firsts" in our lives. First steps. Our first day of school. Our first experience with faith. That first job. Our first love. The first time that we look into the eyes of a newborn child. They are memorable experiences. They open doorways to new worlds that we have never even dreamed of. And they all mark new beginnings. Here in America and here in Iowa, first has another meaning to us as well. We have an innate drive to be the best we can be - to finish first in everything we attempt. We see it as a duty; as a responsibility. Finishing first marks the culmination of our best efforts and of our dreams. In a sense it marks both an ending and at the same time a new beginning. As I present my budget to you for the first time, I urge you to join me in a pursuit of a prairie full of firsts. What must we do together to ensure that Iowa will be first in education for our children; first in environmental quality; first in health care for our citizens; first in the fight against methamphetamine; first in workforce development and economic development, and first in the future? The answer, it seems to me, is to begin by taking bold first steps into the future. We have a strong and proud educational heritage in Iowa, and we have identified ourselves, rightfully so, as the Education State. So I ask you, members of the General Assembly, isn't it time that we again assume our rightful position in this nation as first in education? We are blessed with a core of committed educators, some of who are with us today. Let me introduce you to four of them. On sabbatical from her position as a teacher of Theatre at East High School, currently performing in the Des Moines Playhouse production of Having Our Say, we welcome and salute the 1998 Iowa Teacher of the Year, Ruth Ann Gaines. We are also proud to have the dedicated Moulton School mentor of inner city students who was chosen to represent our state at the 1997 President's Summit for America's Future, Aaron Smith. We welcome today to the Capitol the southern Iowa native who refused to allow his cerebral palsy to prevent him from doing hundreds of classroom presentations as the Energy Wizard, winning the Governor's Very Special Arts Service Award and the Iowa Energy Educator of the Year Award, Erik Anderson. And finally, we introduce the classroom teacher of Alexandra Swanson and her classmates from the Beaver Creek Elementary School, Ms. Shannon Smith. Join me in greeting these four uniquely excellent Iowa educators and in welcoming Alexandra and her classmates. In the first years of life the responsibility for teaching properly belongs to the parents of each child. All parents must be their child's first and best teacher. But few of us know where to begin or how to start. We can help. By doubling our investment in newly-created empowerment communities, we can give these parents looking for help the information, the tools, and the assistance they need to prepare their children for school. By taking this first step today we will make sure that when our children take their first steps to school, they will be ready to learn. When they start their first years in school, they must learn the basics well. That's why, ladies and gentlemen of the General Assembly... That's why teachers must be better prepared. Schools must monitor student achievement and be held accountable for results. So let us begin today by committing 10 million dollars in the first year and increasing that amount by 10 million dollars for each year in the next four years, so we can provide our schools with the resources necessary to reduce class sizes, to improve teacher skills, and to hold schools accountable. Our goal is simply stated - we must guarantee that every child in this state is reading well by the time he or she enters fourth grade. But if we are to do our first job well... more is needed. For the first time, we should commit state aid to make sure our schools are safe and free from fire and safety hazards and to provide more classroom space. Over the next five years we propose building a fund of 50 million dollars to help local school districts meet their building needs, while at the same time providing relief for property taxpayers. Our goal, again simply stated... is adequate class space for each child and each educator in this state. As we attempt to make our students first in the nation in education, we must continue our commitment to technology by making permanent our current investment of 30 million dollars per year, and enable its use not only for hardware and software purchases, but also staff development. Our goal is to keep Iowa students on the cutting edge of technology. I applaud the members of the General Assembly in addressing the critical issue of school funding early in the session. Together we will improve our commitment to local schools by increasing allowable growth, by providing state-funded budget guarantees for those schools struggling with declining enrollments and by providing accelerated funding for schools that have to cope with rapidly rising student numbers. Our goal should always be to adequately fund schools with each student being treated fairly and equitably. At the same time, we must support our educators in their fight to make Iowa schools drug and violence free. We will take the first steps of intervention at the first signs of trouble in junior high and middle schools. So we need to expand the successful program of juvenile court liaisons by adding 76 new schools to the 107 schools that currently exist to aid our at-risk student population and to return discipline to the classroom and to the hallways of each and every school in this state. Our goal is to provide a safer, better learning environment in which all of our students can learn well without fear or intimidation. Lorenzo Luis Sandoval left college early in the 1970's. He served the Hispanic migrant workers of Iowa for over 20 years and earned the League of United Latin American Citizens Iowa Man of the Year award. With the aid of an Iowa Tuition Grant, he fulfilled his lifetime dream of graduating from Grand View College in 1992. He later received his Master of Fine Arts from the prestigious University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop last year. Dramatic Publishing calls Lorenzo "the exciting new Latino voice in America today." Ladies and gentlemen of the assembly, please say hello to another Iowan - Lorenzo Luis Sandoval. I understand what it means to be close to your dream but to have concerns about whether there will be finances to make it become a reality. Twenty-five years ago this year, I spoke with my father for the last time on the phone. I called him to tell him that I had been admitted to law school. In a tired and weary voice he said to me, "That's great. I don't know where the money will come from but we'll find it some place." Several days after that call he passed away. The money came from a variety of government loans, programs, and my own work. I understand the struggle of many in this state today are going through to try to realize their educational dreams. We need to make higher education more affordable and accessible. To do so, we need to look at a package of increased funding measures. We need to increase funding for the State of Iowa Scholarship program; we need to continue to increase funding for the Iowa Tuition Grant program; we need to support vocational and technical tuition grants; we need to send a message to those who serve in the National Guard that we care about them by extending educational opportunities to them as well. For those community college students who are here today, we need to keep the faith with their dream by fully funding the community college formula and continue our strong and traditional support for the Regents Universities. Our collective goal should be that no one wishing a higher education will ever be denied that opportunity in our state simply for lack of money. Finally, as we approach a comprehensive look at education we should not and must not neglect the important role of libraries. Iowa is one of the few states that provides no direct assistance to libraries. Let us join the rest of the nation in improving the communication centers of many of our communities. Let us enrich ourselves by enriching Iowa. We should begin funding the Enrich Iowa initiative now. Our goal is to be first in the nation in education. Let it be said that here in Iowa we put our money where our children are. We have in Iowa a truly amazing array of natural grace. When Albert Lea first explored Iowa in 1835 he wrote: "The general appearance of the country is one of great beauty. . . one grand rolling prairie, along one side of which flows the mightiest river in the world. . . (For) water, fuel and timber; for richness of soil; for beauty of appearance . . . it surpasses any portion of the United States." Too often today, there is a difficult playing field for Iowa farmers who want to protect our land and water. But it is our farmers who have the greatest immediate stake in the environment. It is their families who are first to drink the water, breathe the air, and eat the food raised in the soil. So David and Corrine Williams and their children Steve and Wendy operate a fifth-generation farm near the Montgomery and Page County line. They do so with respect and diligence. By using minimum and no- till technology, rotational grazing, alternative watering for their cattle, they were recently honored with the National Cattlemen's Association Environmental Stewardship Award for "protecting the environment while making their business more profitable." Join me in congratulating the Williams family for showing us that we can make sound environmental decisions that are also sound economic decisions. It is our natural resources that hold the key to a stronger, more prosperous Iowa. But to be first in the nation in Environmental Quality and especially to have the cleanest water in America, we must take difficult first steps. When a body of water with the name of Clear Lake had levels of E. coli which spiked over safe limits, when its beaches were closed, when its community lost thousands of dollars of much-needed tourist revenue, isn't it a signal that we need to be better stewards? But it is not just our lakes that need care. Our Department of Natural Resources has not had the resources to conduct even baseline water quality analyses. As Dave Moeller, the DNR's Fisheries Supervisor for the Northeast District, said, "...We can't do anything about it until we see dead fish." Members of the General Assembly, we can and we must do something about it! We must carefully assess the condition of our groundwater and surface water, and then we must create a comprehensive groundwater and surface water monitoring program. The budget I propose provides resources to do just that and more. It provides funds to establish an Iowa watershed protection program, attend to our wetlands and enforce the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Our environmental proposals, however, do not start or stop at the water's edge. We are committed to enhancing our soil and to protecting our air. That's why we advocate a Fuel Quality Standard for Iowa supported by the Iowa Corn Growers Association which includes ethanol and which will provide both environmental and value-added economic benefits. We propose more resources to better implement our current manure management program. And as we consider the interdependence of agriculture and the environment, we are asking the legislature to consider empowering the people of Iowa with some degree of local control operated within a statewide framework for livestock production. We will protect our natural heritage for the present and future citizens of our state. We will be good stewards and rededicate ourselves to restoring and conserving the land, protecting our water and cleaning up the air. Let it be said that here in Iowa, we put our money where the environment is. To be first in the nation in health care, we have specific goals. We propose to expand HAWK-I, Iowa's child health care initiative, to cover all children in families with incomes of up to 200% of the poverty level. Imagine the frustration of parents working hard to support a family, struggling to lift themselves out of poverty, and beginning to succeed, only to discover that their efforts disqualify their children from access to basic health care. Is this a small problem? Hardly. Our initiative will offer basic health care for the first time to an additional 12,000 of Iowa's children! Next, we cannot be first in health care and sit idly by and watch people hurt and neglected by the excesses of managed care. We've all seen and read about those excesses in the news. But in Iowa we believe that people are more important than the process! Let us working together ensure fairer access to medical services for all of Iowa's people. Let us guarantee that Iowans will receive coverage for pre-existing conditions by reducing the waiting period to six months. Let us stop insurance companies from "gagging" doctors so that they are prevented from telling us the information we need to know. Let us make sure that the information we receive about a health plan's record is accurate; that it promotes good medical practices and let us above all else require a fair and legitimate appeal process to resolve managed care disputes. Children in this state specifically are at risk and for that reason we will propose a specific and targeted set of proposals and protections designed to provide these opportunities for Iowa's children as well. But we acknowledge the best way to be first in health is through good preventive care. We have therefore proposed initiatives for women over 50, addressing the increased risks of breast cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease; we will launch a public awareness campaign; strengthen local health systems and promote community health and public education. Beyond that initiative it is our commitment to enhance child dental care and child nutrition programs and perhaps the boldest stroke of all - we are recommending over one million dollars of support to establish a new School of Public Health at the University of Iowa. We take these steps because we know prevention works. We know prevention saves money. And most important of all, we know prevention saves lives! Finally, our health care program includes protection for Iowa's seniors. They are those who farmed our land, who taught our children, who worked in our factories and businesses - and as such they deserve to live their last years in quiet dignity. If we restructure Medicaid funding, we can increase direct care staff salaries and improve the quality of care in nursing homes. If we establish an annual "Governor's Award for Quality Care" we can recognize outstanding nursing facilities. If we create additional long-term care ombudsman positions we can work together to correct nursing home deficiencies. And, if we stiffen fines for repeat violators and focus health facility inspections on those chronic violators we will enhance the good reputation of the vast majority of nursing homes and facilities in our state today. Our goal is improved and fairer health care for all. Let it be said that here in Iowa, we put our money where our most vulnerable populations are. The safety, security and well-being of Iowans is the responsibility of each of us. But nowhere, perhaps, is that responsibility accepted with more courage and more dedication than in the selfless service provided by our peace officers. Today, we, as a grateful people, salute and thank every peace officer who puts his or her life on the line every day for our families and ourselves. With us this morning are two men who are living proof of that dedication and courage. When the time finally came, after four intense days in the middle of a hostage crisis, a distraught and dangerous father, charged with numerous crimes including attempted murder and kidnapping brought his two sons out into the Indianola sunlight. As he began to pull a loaded hand-gun from his pocket, Ken Haut rushed in and flung his body in harm's way, tackling and subduing the prisoner. Serving with him were his fellow troopers and other peace officers. Without thinking of his personal safety, this humble Lamoni Chief of Police pursued two suspected murderers and bank robbers. In an instant his life changed forever. His sacrifice was great. He lost an eye and might have lost his life. But Dale Killpack acted without hesitation on our behalf, and today he and Ken are with us. These two gentlemen represent the daily Iowa heroes who are our peace officers. There is a specific crossroads where public health, public education and public safety meet. And it is at that crossroads that we stand today. We will NOT, simply because we happen to be in a convenient location in the heartland of America, be first in the nation in the creation and delivery of methamphetamine. We WILL, however, make it one of our first priorities to eradicate this deadly threat. To protect our people we must strangle the meth lifeline by controlling both supply and demand. To protect our people we will seek life sentences for the manufacture or sale of meth to minors. To protect our people we will hire more narcotics agents to increase interdiction efforts. To protect our people we will hire additional lab technicians to help in the timely prosecution of cases, and to protect our people we will hire more state troopers, DCI agents and fire marshals to aid in safely closing down these meth labs. At the same time, to help our people we will expand the number of drug courts. To help our people we will provide additional resources for treatment to lengthen the time that Iowans addicted to this powerful drug can receive treatment and also expand treatment opportunities at Eldora. And to educate our people we will support and create educational programs to prevent the use of meth before it starts. Now I do not want to leave this subject without speaking directly to those who manufacture and sell this drug. Here is my message: Do not come here. Do not hurt our children. We will find you. We will prosecute you. We will imprison you. Our goal is to win this war against meth. Let it be said in Iowa, we put our money where the safety of each of our citizens is. Let us today also invite the whole world to help make our state the Food Capital of the World. Not just first in the nation, but first in the world. It is part of our larger commitment to workforce development and economic development. This administration intends to make Iowa-grown, Iowa-raised and Iowa-made a brand name known throughout the world for quality. We need to promote high tech agricultural research which is why we support funding the Center of Excellence in Plant Science at Iowa State University. We need to combine Iowa's strengths in agriculture and insurance and provide innovative products to protect Iowa's farmers that use advances in biotechnology. We need to encourage the expansion of value- added opportunities in every region of this state. And at the same time, we will not abandon those Iowans whose economic fortunes have turned. We have and will continue to strongly advocate at the federal level and state level to take immediate proactive steps to help livestock and grain producers in economic crisis. We intend to stand together with those who farm the land, and together we will make Iowa the world's food capital. Further, we will expand the skilled workforce to help us face the needs of a new and dawning technology and millenium. We need to make Iowa more attractive to business and industry. We need to strengthen our commitment to vocational and technical programs and school-to-career opportunities. That is why we are establishing the Governor's 21st Century Workforce Council which will be chaired by Lieutenant Governor, Sally Pederson. We need to identify work skill shortage areas. To start the process of increasing the skill levels of our people and to reduce shortages, we will create forgivable loan programs; we will offer incentives to promote skills enhancement; we will coordinate governmental efforts for skills enhancement; and we intend to increase worker safety by providing more resources for workplace inspections. We will actively and forcefully work to attract and retain the quality of workers necessary for our mutual future. We must send a strong and unmistakable message to the children of this state, some of whom are here today - and let us start with those here today. We need you! We need your creativity, your energy and your intellect. But we must do our job if we are asking them to do their job. We must create and enhance the quality of life in this state so that it is second to none. That is why we are suggesting the creation of REACH initiative, which would provide additional resources for recreation, environment, culture and heritage - to send a strong and powerful message that something's going on in this state, and that we are responding to the needs and concerns of our young people. Our goal is to develop our workforce, strengthen our economic growth, and keep our young people in our state. Let it be said that here in Iowa, we put our money where our tomorrow is. And finally, we propose to be known as the first in the nation as we lead the way to the future. We will do this in two ways - through government efficiency, and by the foresight and power of a strategic plan for the next century. We will make good on our promise of providing property tax relief by virtually eliminating property tax funding of mental health. Let us begin that process now. We will build a more efficient administration, reduce our dependency on gaming revenues in the general fund and institute efficiency measures like offering early retirement programs and spending reforms. We're listening to the people, and we're acting on what we hear. We face a strong set of challenges and unbridled opportunities. We will not be daunted. Let me read from one of my very first Executive Orders which will be issued in the near future: "Now, therefore, I, Thomas J. Vilsack, Governor of Iowa, do hereby order and proclaim that there shall be an organized commitment to develop a strategic plan outlining our goal to maximize the development of human and natural resources within the state, and this commitment shall be called THE GOVERNOR'S STRATEGIC PLANNING COUNCIL." Together, in a bi-partisan effort that includes full participation of private citizens, all levels of governmental employees, all communities, with specific emphasis on people with disabilities - we will identify the way Iowans want their state to be in the year 2020. And from that we will develop policies, programs, and procedures to carry out their vision. We are excited by the challenge of tomorrow, and we are ready to meet it face-to- face. Our goal is an efficient government and a powerful plan for the new millennium. Let it be said that here in Iowa, we put our money where our future is. There is no question that it is reasonable for us to aspire to be first. And so again I ask the question posed by an Iowa child. What are we going to do together to ensure that Iowa will be first in education; first in the environment; first in health care; first in the fight against methamphetamine; first in workforce development and economic growth; and first in the future? The answer resounds across this beautiful public room, owned by the people of our great state, and we all hear it. We must work together. We must put Iowa first, before any personal or partisan agenda, before anything that might divide us. We must make every effort to make Iowa first, working as if it were our last chance to do so. And so, I propose yet another first for us today - the one which can make all of the others possible. Let us strive to be first in the nation in the true spirit of bi- partisanship! At a time when America is burdened by the ugliness of the Washington political scene - a scene divided by intense and sometimes angry partisanship which diverts our time, our resources, our good will, and especially the valuable work of our nation, let us learn a hard lesson: - the people must come first. How do we guarantee that when we leave here today we will walk away with a real commitment to work together? I don't have the whole answer, but I can propose a healthy way for us to start - if you will, a healthy first step. Soon after the end of this address today, Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson and I will be embarking on separate visits across the state to meet with the people of this state face-to-face to talk to them about these important budget decisions. It would be easy for us to use this opportunity and the power and means of the Governor's office to proclaim a partisan agenda from east to west and north to south. But that would be politics as usual. And it's time for a change. Instead, I spoke yesterday with the leadership of both the House and the Senate - from both sides of the aisle - and I invited leaders from both parties and from both chambers to accompany me around Iowa. We are all Iowans. We all have the best interests of the people at heart. We can begin this process by working together in the bright light of a new day. This is not our first day of school, but it may be our first step to tomorrow. It's not our first job, and although I hold you folks in high esteem, I can assure you that you are not my first love. But this is the first day of the remainder of our time together working for the people of Iowa. It is a memorable day, and the tasks are daunting. But the doorways can be opened to new worlds that none of us have ever dreamed of. We all share that sense of anticipation, that sense of concern about the responsibilities we face together. But we are well-prepared. We are well committed. We love this great land and the people we represent. "So what are we going to do?" Let us mark a new beginning. Let us take these bold first steps into the future together. Let us lead Iowa to be first in everything we attempt as we reach the culmination of Today's Dreams and Tomorrow's Iowa. Thank you, God bless you and God bless our Great State. Governor Thomas J. Vilsack was escorted from the House chamber by the Legislative Inaugural Committee. On motion by Siegrist of Pottawattamie, the joint convention was dissolved at 10:52 a.m. The House resumed session at 10:52 a.m., Speaker Corbett in the chair. The House stood at ease at 10:53 a.m., until the fall of the gavel. The House resumed session at 11:08 a.m., Speaker pro tempore Rants of Woodbury in the chair. On motion by Siegrist of Pottawattamie, the House was recessed at 11:09 a.m., until 1:00 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION The House reconvened at 1:00 p.m., Speaker pro tempore Rants in the chair. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS House File 166, by Grundberg, Martin, Heaton, Brauns, Davis, Sunderbruch, Cormack, Johnson, Houser, Myers, Witt, Chapman, Foege, Holveck, and Barry, a bill for an act relating to third-party payment of health care coverage costs for mental health treatment services. Read first time and referred to committee on human resources. House File 167, by Alons, Jenkins, Hoffman, Barry, Witt, Weigel, Johnson, Eddie, Drees, Falck, Hahn, Mertz, Myers, Huseman, Rants, Whitead, Kettering, Klemme, Richardson, Shoultz, and Doderer, a bill for an act relating to telecommunications services which may be provided by a city utility and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. Read first time and referred to committee on local government. House File 168, by committee on local government, a bill for an act relating to the date of the annual sale of parcels with delinquent property taxes and providing an effective and applicability date. Read first time and placed on the calendar. House File 169, by Burnett, a bill for an act providing that a prevailing property owner or aggrieved taxpayer in a property tax challenge may recover reasonable attorney fees from the taxing bodies involved in the appeal. Read first time and referred to committee on ways and means. House File 170, by Doderer, Boddicker, Murphy, Myers, Reynolds, Witt, and Jochum, a bill for an act relating to the licensing of certified professional midwives, establishing the board of professional midwife examiners, and prohibiting the use of the title certified professional midwife without a license. Read first time and referred to committee on human resources. SENATE MESSAGES CONSIDERED Senate File 10, by committee on natural resources and environment, a bill for an act relating to the issuance of nonresident hunting licenses, to the maximum number of deer and wild turkey hunting licenses issued to nonresidents, and to certain allocations of nonresident licenses, and providing an effective date. Read first time and referred to committee on natural resources. Senate File 37, by committee on natural resources and environment, a bill for an act relating to the hunting of mourning doves and subjecting violators to a penalty. Read first time and referred to committee on natural resources. Senate File 47, by committee on commerce, a bill for an act relating to the classification of funding agreements issued by a life insurance company for purposes of the prioritization of claims against the assets of an insurer subject to supervision, rehabilitation, and liquidation, and including an effective date and a retroactive applicability provision. Read first time and referred to committee on commerce- regulation. Senate File 51, by committee on natural resources and environment, a bill for an act authorizing a county conservation board to cooperate with private, not-for-profit organizations to carry out conservation and recreation programs. Read first time and referred to committee on natural resources. PRESENTATION OF VISITORS The Speaker announced that the following visitors were present in the House chamber: Seventeen students from Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville, Iowa, accompanied by four advisors. By Frevert of Palo Alto and Stevens of Dickinson. COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED The following communications were received and filed in the office of the Chief Clerk: CITIZENS' AIDE/OMBUDSMAN A report on the Investigation of how the Des Moines Police Department handles complaints about its officers, pursuant to Chapter 2C.9(1), Code of Iowa. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE A report identifying each profession and specifically in accord with the statute, reports the adoption or nonadoption of rules relating to the duties of the board as specified in that section of the Code and the number of complaints opened, peer review committees and/or informal discussions, disciplinary actions taken, cases closed and appeals to the court, pursuant to Chapter 272C.4(2), Code of Iowa. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION MR. SPEAKER: The Chief Clerk of the House respectfully reports that a certificate of recognition has been issued as follows. ELIZABETH A. ISAACSON Chief Clerk of the House 1999\94 Janelle Hester, Davenport - For winning 1st place in the 1999 Iowa African American History Month Essay Contest. SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS House File124 Labor and Industrial Relations: Dolecheck, Chair; Connors and Horbach. House File 152 Labor and Industrial Relations: Dolecheck, Chair; Falck and Horbach. Senate File 47 Commerce and Regulation: Bradley, Chair; Hoffman and Wise. HOUSE STUDY BILL SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT House Study Bill 18 Labor and Industrial Relations: Horbach, Chair; Dolecheck and Taylor. HOUSE STUDY BILL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS H.S.B. 22 Ways and Means Exempting internet and other on-line services from the state sales, services, and use taxes. H.S.B. 23 Ways and Means Exempting the sale of argon gas used in the manufacturing process from the sales and use taxes. H.S.B. 24 Ways and Means Relating to the administration of the state individual income tax, corporate income tax, sales and use taxes, franchise tax, motor fuel taxes, inheritance and estate taxes, property taxes, collection of taxes and debts owed to or collected by the state, and including effective and retroactive applicability date provisions. H.S.B. 25 Ways and Means Updating the Iowa Code references to the Internal Revenue Code, extending the loss carryback period for farm net operating losses, providing certain tax credits to estates and trusts, and providing an effective date and a retroactive applicability date. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION MR. SPEAKER: The Chief Clerk of the House respectfully reports that the following committee recommendation has been received and is on file in the office of the Chief Clerk. ELIZABETH A. ISAACSON Chief Clerk of the House COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE-REGULATION Senate File 47, a bill for an act relating to the classification of funding agreements issued by a life insurance company for purposes of the prioritization of claims against the assets of an insurer subject to supervision, rehabilitation, and liquidation, and including an effective date and a retroactive applicability provision. Fiscal Note is not required. Recommended Do Pass January 28, 1999. RESOLUTION FILED SCR 2, by committee on rules and administration, a concurrent resolution relating to the compensation of chaplains, officers and employees of the seventy-eighth general assembly. Referred to committee on administration and rules. On motion by Siegrist of Pottawattamie the House adjourned at 1:05 p.m., until 1:00 p.m., Monday, February 1, 1999. 204 JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE 18th Day 18th Day THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1999 205
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