State Rep. Joshua Meggers (R-Grundy Center).

As we wrap up Week 6, I wanted to give some insights into what happened at the Capitol this week, especially because it was Funnel Week.

What is Funnel Week?

For those who are unfamiliar, Iowa lawmakers have self-imposed deadlines that help to keep bills moving through the legislative process, and with the first funnel week, bills that don’t pass a committee by then are done, typically, for the year.

Iowans Gain Right to Repair Under House Republican Legislation

Iowa House Republicans continue their focus on strengthening Iowa’s farm economy, and that includes addressing the rising cost of equipment repairs. For many farm families, repairing equipment isn’t just a necessity; it’s part of the culture. But as agricultural machinery has become increasingly advanced and software-driven, access to critical diagnostic and repair information has been restricted by some manufacturers. Farmers have reported skyrocketing repair costs and limited ability to fix their own equipment.

This week, the House Agriculture Committee passed two bills: HSB 751: Right to Repair and HF 2529: Right to Repair for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). These bills require original farm equipment manufacturers to provide diagnostic tools, technical updates, and software updates to farmers in the same manner they provide them to authorized repair providers.

The result is that Iowa farmers gain the “Right to Repair” their own equipment which reinforces independence, lowers costs, and supports Iowa’s agricultural backbone.

Water Quality Programs in Iowa Exceed $500 Million Annually

Iowa has invested decades into soil conservation and water quality improvements. That commitment grew significantly in 2013 with the creation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) implemented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Iowa State University. Last week, the House Natural Resources Committee received an update from the DNR. In 2023, the most recent year available, combined state and federal water quality investments exceeded $500 million.

The INRS dashboard highlights:

-Increased adoption of conservation practices

-Growth in protected acreage

-Watershed-specific lidar imaging showing dramatic long-term improvements

Aerial imagery demonstrates measurable conservation progress across Iowa farms. The data shows real momentum, and that progress is accelerating.

Public Safety Legislation Advances in Bipartisan Fashion

As the first funnel deadline approached, the Public Safety Committee wrapped up work on several bipartisan measures.

-HSB 705 – Drug-Free Homeless Service Zones: This bill creates stricter penalties for drug-related offenses within 300 feet of government-funded homeless service facilities. Provisions include: criminal penalties for selling controlled substances near facilities; accountability for operators who knowingly allow drug use on-site; mandatory signage designating drug-free zones; and enhanced fines and sentencing provisions.

-HSB 752 – Regulating Foreign Entities, Drones & International Directives: This proposal addresses foreign security concerns by prohibiting state and local governments from using drones manufactured by foreign adversaries; criminalizing operation of certain foreign-made drones near critical infrastructure; requiring registration of individuals acting as foreign government agents or lobbyists; and preventing enforcement of international mandates (e.g., from the United Nations or WHO) without Iowa legislative approval.

-HSB 732 – Electronic Court Notification System: This bill directs the Iowa state court administrator to create a text-based electronic notification system by July 1, 2027. Participants in criminal cases — including defendants, victims, witnesses, attorneys, and guardians — would receive court date reminders; case event notifications; and fee information. The system must protect confidential and nonpublic information.

Transportation Committee Advances Key Safety Measures

Funnel Week was especially active for the House Transportation Committee, which moved multiple proposals forward, including Guardrails for License Plate Readers (HF 2161) which requires city councils and county boards to approve law enforcement use of license plate reader technology. The bill also limits how collected data may be used.

If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me at joshua.meggers@legis.iowa.gov or visit my Facebook page at Joshua Meggers for Iowa House. Feel free to come visit me within the Capitol at any time!

Joshua Meggers (R-Grundy Center) represents Iowa House District 54 which includes all of Grundy and Hardin counties and several rural townships on the far western edge of Black Hawk County.