Preparing for the 2020 Legislative Session

The leaves are changing, the temperatures are dropping- even snow is falling in Iowa! Here at IEC, that means we're turning our attention to the Capitol in preparation for the next legislative session.

Senators and representatives return to their chambers on January 13, 2020, for the second year of the two-year biennium. This means any bills still 'alive' after the first year of the biennium remain active and can be picked up starting day one of this session. Of course new bills will also be introduced and will need to follow the same paths through 'funnels' and committee hearings, but it is anticipated that we'll see action on some bills much sooner this year. 

As we look ahead, IEC program staffers are holding internal strategy discussions, meeting with partners, and preparing 2020 Policy Priorities that are built out of the program priorities for each group.

IEC's Water Program held their first Legislative Roundtable on October 21. More than a dozen Organizational Members and partners attended in person or by phone to discuss ideas and strategies to advance water quality efforts, including ideas for the passage of IWILL, an update on IEC's pilot riparian buffer bill, and soil health initiatives. Attendees also heard from IEC's new water quality government relations counsel, Angela Davis of AKD Legal. 

IEC's Energy Program staff has been holding meetings all year long with partners, but is planning their policy discussion for December. Throughout the summer they have hosted legislative tours to solar and energy efficiency projects across Iowa, educating policymakers about these initiatives in anticipation of session. Program staff anticipate that efforts to eliminate solar net metering will surface early in the session, as well as the need to provide comprehensive education on wind siting best practices. 

Our policy preparations and discussions work best when you're involved. We want your voice at the table! Please mark your calendar to join us, call us, or share your feedback by email anytime!

Here are some ways to participate:

• IEC Annual Member Meeting, virtual - November 14 
• Environmental Lobby Day, State Capitol - March 11, 2020 (free!)
• Sign up for Action Alerts and our weekly Legislative News Bulletin emails

Thank you for your support and participation! Together we can protect Iowa's water, land, and air for future generations to make Iowa a wonderful place to live, work, and explore.  

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