Rep. Joshua Meggers (R-Grundy Center).

As second funnel week ends, we are adding the finishing touches to this session’s good work that will lead to a job well done for the people of District 54. I am confident in saying my experience in the statehouse as session continues to wind down has provided a positive outlet for the people of lowa.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to meet with the association of Early Childhood of lowa and learn more from their team on issues they are facing. Early Childhood lowa is a citizen-led, locally driven initiative to address the needs of young children and families. Its goal now is to maintain its citizen-led nature that is unhindered by layers of bureaucracy. It supports comprehensive integrated care as well as health and education systems for the youngest lowans. This includes developing systematic solutions to low’s childcare situation by helping parents find reliable and affordable childcare.

I attended a reception from the lowa Council of Foundations and the lowa Nonprofit Alliance to learn more about the low Community Foundation Initiative. The initiative is a core program area for the lowa Council of Foundations in its role as lowa’s Lead Philanthropic Entity. It supports the network of community foundations and affiliates, which are active in the nonprofit sector. These foundations serve as grant makers, giving local organizations funds for charitable purposes that allow community leaders to focus on building long-term endowments.

I was happy to serve on the subcommittee for SF 547. This bill is an act relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while driving, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

SF 228 was eligible for debate on the floor this week and will move onto the Senate, this bill as amended caps noneconomic damages from a commercial motor vehicle accident at $5 million per individual. SF 228 also clarifies when an employer can be held liable for negligent hiring. Noneconomic damages are those that can’t be calculated such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, etc.

As a member of the Transportation Committee, I chaired SF 381 and SF 490. Both of these bills passed out of committee and will move to the floor for debate. SF 490 is an act relating to persons authorized to receive a copy of a written accident report filed by a law enforcement officer. SF 381 is an act regarding driving privileges of persons issued a special minor’s driver’s license, and making penalties applicable.

Finally, Agriculture passed its last bill out of committee on Wednesday. SF 473 is a bill for an act relating to the livestock health advisory council and the livestock disease research fund. The background of this bill amends lowa Code chapter 267, which establishes and provides for the administration of the livestock health advisory council and the livestock disease research fund. For fiscal year 2023, I want to thank all of the representatives on the Agriculture Committee, who work diligently by, passing good bills for lowa.

As committees wrap up, except the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees, please be on the lookout for more information from my weekly newsletter “The Weekly Scoop” on budgets that will be approved for the next year.

Rep. Meggers’ district, Iowa House District 54, includes all of Grundy and Hardin counties and several rural townships on the far western edge of Black Hawk County. He can be reached via email: joshua.meggers@legis.iowa.gov.