Second funnel deadline approaches at the Iowa Statehouse
The second funnel deadline at the Iowa Statehouse is on Friday, meaning bills will have to pass through committee in both the House and Senate to stay eligible this session.
There are still several major bills that are up against the deadline, such as plans on education, eminent domain, birth control and the death penalty.
Last week, the Iowa House moved a plan forward that would restrict eminent domain for carbon pipelines in Iowa. The plan had bipartisan support. The bill will need to pass through the Senate Commerce Committee by the end of the week.
"At the end of the day, we need to be focused on what is helping landowners have access and freedom on their own land," House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said.
Senate President Amy Sinclair says the plan is still in play, but did not confirm if it's secured enough support in the Senate to survive.
"The fact that it came over to us so late, it does put us in a bit of a time crunch. But it's been assigned to committee and so it's in the process," Sen. Sinclair said.
Republicans also have to decide this week on bills that restrict LGBTQ topics in schools.
The House and Senate have different plans, but both would regulate content in classrooms and libraries and would ban instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in Iowa elementary schools.
Rep. Konfrst says she hopes both plans fall through the cracks.
"We've had bills come from the House to the Senate, beating up on trans kids and banning books that came from the Senate to the House... They can't agree, let's just call it good. We've made the point. Let's move on and not change Iowa law when it comes to those issues," Konfrst said. "Allow teachers to teach in the classroom."
Senate Republicans say they're hopeful they'll see more action on Gov. Kim Reynolds' sweeping education bill they passed last week.
"I would love to see that bill move forward in the house," Sen. Sinclair said. "So that parents can know that they know what their kids are learning and they can have a good relationship with the teachers who are teaching it, and really just make sure that we have kids on track for the next generation."
Another bill that is in danger this week is a bill that would ban using hand-held devices, such as cellphones while driving. The bill will have to make it through committee in the the House.