January 24, 2025

Dear Friends,

Well, things have certainly begun to pick up at the statehouse. A number of bills have been filed pertaining to the issues on which we work. You can find details below in the Legislation Watch.

Additionally, it has come to our attention that Governor Kim Reynolds intends to put her muscle behind the passage of legislation that would strip gender identity out of the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Stopping this effort before it has any momentum is our top priority right now. Legislation has not been introduced but we need all voices to use your power. See below in TAKE ACTION for details about the issue and who to contact.

Finally, Moral Mondays IOWA begins this coming Monday! We hope you will join us online via the Zoom link included below, or on Facebook.

Thank you for being part of this work, using your voice, and for all you do to make our state better for all Iowans.

With appreciation,

Connie Ryan
she/her/hers
Executive Director
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa & Action Fund

The legislation highlighted is of high priority. Will you take action today?

• We highly recommend sending individual emails to each legislator listed rather than one mass email. You can use the same language; just send them separately and address your email to the specific lawmaker.
• Be brief. Use your own words. Be civil.

FIGHT FOR GENDER IDENTITY PROTECTION!

WHAT'S UP?

In working with other partner organizations at the statehouse, it is our understanding from multiple reliable sources that Governor Reynolds is pressuring legislators to pass legislation that will strip gender identity out of the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Her office is focused on Rep. Steve Holt, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, who has said repeatedly in past years he would not move forward such legislation. Additionally, Rep. Pat Grassley, Speaker of the House, has reportedly been pressured by the Governor and has indicated his support.

A bill has not been introduced yet.

We are working to hold Rep. Holt to his past statements that he will not run any legislation to strip away gender identity as a protected status in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. And to instigate a counter-pressure for Speaker Grassley, urging him to protect the rights of transgender Iowans.

BACKGROUND

• Gender identity has long been a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act and needs to remain so. It was added in 2007 along with sexual orientation.
• People who are transgender are part of a historically marginalized community who continue to face discrimination, harassment, and violence.
• The inclusion of gender identity in the Iowa Civil Rights Act is necessary to provide transgender Iowans adequate protections so they might live their lives with the basic dignity and support anyone deserves.

OUR MESSAGE

Thank you to our friends at One Iowa for their guidance on messaging.

• Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family, and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, people who are transgender should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against.
• All hardworking people — including those who are transgender — should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of our state and should have the opportunity to earn a living — providing for themselves and their families. Nobody should have to live in fear of being fired from their job for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance.
• Housing and credit protections seem to resonate with legislators:
  It’s unfair if someone can’t rent an apartment or get a credit card simply because of who they are. These basic anti-discrimination protections are important, allowing people to access opportunities regardless of who they are.
• For people of faith:
  Protecting people from discrimination, including people who are transgender, is about treating others as we want to be treated. Even if we have different beliefs, what’s most important is focusing on what we have in common — to love our neighbors and treat them kindly as God calls us.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1 – Contact these specific leaders in the House.

Steven.Holt@legis.iowa.gov
Pat.Grassley@legis.iowa.gov

2 – Contact your representative.

Monday, January 27
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Online only via Zoom or Moral Mondays IOWA Facebook page

Stopping right-wing propaganda in our schools

Rep. Heather Matson (D – Ankeny), Ranking Member, House Education Committee
Mazie Stilwell, Director of Public Affairs – Iowa, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa

Last session, many of us fought back against, and successfully stopped, the "Baby Olivia bill," mandating anti-choice, scientifically inaccurate propaganda in our public-school classrooms. This year, it's back in the form of two moving bills. Join us for Moral Mondays IOWA to learn more and how you can best use your voice!

Just a reminder: Things will be a bit different this year. MMI will be online only (we will not meet at the statehouse), and occur only when a partner organization has legislation it wants to highlight for that week.

The Interfaith Action Fund Lobby Day will be on Monday, February 17, from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the Iowa Statehouse. Together, we will engage and empower advocates (YOU!) at the statehouse to advocate on key issues. Register and attend Lobby Day — then join us for the Action Fund Reception that evening!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Bella Love Event Venue
8801 University Ave, Suite 29, CLIVE

The Action Fund reception is the only fundraiser we hold each year that supports our efforts at the Iowa Capitol. We are thrilled to host Rep. Heather Matson, Assistant Leader of the House Democratic Caucus, as our speaker! She will share about the big legislative fights and how we can most effectively take action together.

Will you join us February 17 and help strengthen our critical work and voice for all Iowans?

Sponsorship levels and individual tickets are available.

Below are bills on which the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund is registered and our position on the legislation.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

HSB32 (Against) A bill for an act relating to public schools, including requiring public schools to display the national motto and the state motto and to start each day of classroom instruction with silent time.

A subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 27, at 12:30 PM in the House Lounge. Subcommittee members include:

Jeff.Shipley@legis.iowa.gov
Helena.Hayes@legis.iowa.gov
Mary.Madison@legis.iowa.gov

The national motto is “In God we trust” while the state motto is “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” Neither should be mandated to be placed in the entrance of our public schools. This is a local decision by a school board or the school itself.

Additionally, the legislature should not micromanage public schools telling them how to schedule their day, including “silent time,” which is often a euphemism for mandated prayer – a mandate that should never happen in a public school.

HSB30 (Against) A bill for an act requiring students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas.

The bill passed out of subcommittee on a 2–1 vote and is eligible for consideration by the House Education Committee.

We’ve seen this legislation in various forms over the last several years and we have always opposed its passage.

We are fully supportive of all students learning about our nation, its history, important historical documents, and more. We are opposed to the idea of tying a student’s ability to graduate from high school to one test. Concepts in the test could be incorporated into a social studies class and exam, just like any other test. The bill is extreme in placing an unnecessary barrier to graduation with the passage, or not, of one test.

In addition, this version of the bill has no allowances for students with different abilities who would never be able to pass such a test. Those students should be able to graduate based on the specialized instruction provided for them.

SSB1030 (Against) A bill for an act requiring students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas.

A subcommittee is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, at 12:00 PM in Room 217. Subcommittee members include:

Jesse.Green@legis.iowa.gov
Jeff.Taylor@legis.iowa.gov
Herman.Quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov

The bill is similar to HSB30. Our objections remain the same.

HSB84 (Against) A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from providing any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in grades seven through twelve.

The bill prohibits schools from providing any program, curriculum, test, survey, instruction, etc., relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in grades 7–12, extending the prohibition already in place for grades kindergarten to 6.

HIGHER EDUCATION

HSB53 (Against) A bill for an act prohibiting certain requirements for students and faculty at regents institutions relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory and including applicability provisions.

A subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, at 4:00 PM in Room 304. Subcommittee members include:

Steven.Holt@legis.iowa.gov
Skyler.Wheeler@legis.iowa.gov
Ross.Wilburn@legis.iowa.gov

This bill requires the board of regents to establish policy prohibiting the requirement for enrollment in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or critical race theory-related (CRT) courses. The bill prohibits any regents institution from encouraging faculty to include DEI or CRT content in any coursework or degree program. Exemptions are allowed for courses of study focused on racial, ethnic, or gender studies. The attorney general (AG) may be notified by anyone for any infraction and the AG may bring action against the regents institution. The act shall not be construed to limit an instructor’s academic freedom or to limit free discussion of ideas in a class.

HSB56 (Against) A bill for an act establishing completion of a course on American history and civil government as a requirement for the completion of a baccalaureate degree program at a public institution of higher education.

A subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, at 4:00 PM in Room 304. Subcommittee members include:

Skyler.Wheeler@legis.iowa.gov
Steven.Holt@legis.iowa.gov
Monica.Kurth@legis.iowa.gov 

The bill requires public institutions of higher education to require all students to complete a course in American history and civil government and includes requirements for the courses. This bill does not give any consideration for the breadth of degrees in any public institution and whether such a requirement for the course would be relevant to the degree being sought (and paid for). Additionally, the legislature should not be micromanaging the state’s public institutions of higher education or the curriculum of any course being taught.

HSB57 (Against) A bill for an act relating to accreditation of postsecondary educational institutions, prohibiting adverse action by accrediting agencies against certain postsecondary educational institutions for compliance with state law, providing remedies, and including effective date provisions.

This bill prohibits an independent accrediting organization from taking adverse action against an institution of higher learning when complying with state law. The institution or the attorney general may bring a lawsuit against the accrediting organization.

HSB60 (Against) A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

HSB61 (Against) A bill for an act prohibiting community colleges from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and engaging in certain other activities relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

HSB63 (Against) A bill for an act providing for general education requirements for undergraduate students at regents institutions and including applicability provisions.

A subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, at 8:00 AM in Room 102. Subcommittee members include:

Steven.Holt@legis.iowa.gov
Taylor.Collins@legis.iowa.gov
Ross.Wilburn@legis.iowa.gov

The bill directs the board of regents to establish policy for general education requirements for undergraduate students to include coursework in English composition, a world language, math and statistics, natural sciences, social sciences, the humanities, western heritage, and American heritage. Additionally, the bill prohibits any general education coursework from distorting significant historical events or include any curriculum or materials that “teach identity politics or based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States or the state of Iowa.” This bill states it does not limit the academic freedom of instructors or free discussion of ideas. The board may waive the requirements for certain coursework and degrees. The AG may be notified by anyone for any infraction and the AG may bring action against the regents institution.

LGBTQ RIGHTS

SF8 and HF80 (Against) A bill for an act prohibiting school districts and charter schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, or students for the use of legal names, the use of student names as listed in school registration forms or records, or for the failure to use personal pronouns in official communications, and providing civil penalties.

SF8 and HF80 prohibit schools from taking disciplinary action against employees, contractors, and students for using the legal name (the name listed in the school’s registration for the student) or for the failure of using another student’s preferred pronouns. The bills prohibit the governing board from taking any disciplinary action. They also provide employees who have been terminated a right of action to enforce the provisions of the bills and to receive reinstatement, with or without back pay, and civil damages.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE

SSB1028 and HF76 (Against) A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.

The subcommittee met on Thursday, January 23, and passed SSB1028 on a 2-1 vote. The bill is eligible for consideration by the Senate Education Committee.

This legislation inserts “Baby Olivia video” type mandated language for human growth and development curriculum in grades 7–11 that promotes a cartoon video not based in medically accurate information.

“Baby Olivia video” with or without its name included in the legislation is propaganda.

Our youth deserve comprehensive, medically accurate sex education — not misleading, inaccurate information. If given inaccurate information, young people will not be able to make decisions that are healthy and lead them to the best outcome for their future.

It is never ok to push a political agenda in our schools or with Iowa’s children.

SF115 (Against) A bill for an act relating to human growth and development course enrollment at school districts and to pupil attendance at educational conferences or seminars in which human growth and development information is provided.

The bill is similar to SSB1028. Our objections remain the same.

HSB34 (Against) A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.

The bill is similar to SSB1028. Our objections remain the same.

HF106 (Against) A bill for an act relating to the survival of, and the bringing of a cause of action for, wrongful death of an unborn child.

This bill is a personhood bill. It allows for a cause of action in the case of the “wrongful death of an unborn child” elevating a zygote, embryo, or fetus to the same status and rights as a person.

SF120 and HF104 (Against) A bill for an act providing an exception to a minor’s legal capacity to consent to the provision of medical care or services for a sexually transmitted disease or infection.

Currently, a minor can consent to medical care for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a sexually transmitted disease or infection. This bill would prohibit a minor from being able to consent to vaccinations for sexually transmitted disease or infection. The bill is targeting the HPV virus and the ability of a youth to seek care without their parent’s permission. This will restrict some youth from receiving necessary medical care.

IMMIGRATION

HSB15 (Against) A bill for an act establishing the criminal offense of the smuggling of persons, and providing penalties.

The bill passed out of subcommittee on a 2–1 vote and is eligible for consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.

Although we obviously oppose smuggling and human trafficking, the legislation is familiar language that has been used in other states to target those who have assisted immigrants, even in the most mundane ways. Many of the bill’s provisions are duplicative of current federal law that prohibits knowingly transporting a person who is in the state without authorization – targeting smugglers. However, there is concern that the legislation includes language similar to other states that could place others in jeopardy such as volunteers, family members, and even Uber drivers.

GUN SAFETY

HF55 and SF105 (Undecided) A bill for an act relating to mandatory minimum sentences relating to the control, possession, receipt, or transportation of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon and providing penalties.

HF55 passed out of subcommittee and is eligible for consideration in the House Public Safety Committee. In listening to the subcommittee debate, we are not currently concerned about the intent of the legislation but will continue to monitor.

Your state representative and senator need to hear from you on the issues, and that you are paying attention to their votes.

Call, email, text, or write them. Meet with them at the Iowa Capitol. If you are one of their constituents, build a relationship with your elected officials ahead of time so they know you care about these important issues.

Many legislators hold forums in their district throughout the legislative session. It is a great opportunity to hear from your lawmakers, ask questions, and build a relationship.

Find your state senator or representative and other elected officials.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

House Switchboard:  515.281.3221
Senate Switchboard:  515.281.3371 

Legislative Emails:  FIRSTname.LASTname@legis.iowa.gov

Iowa Governor Contact Form: https://governor.iowa.gov/contact-office-governor

Iowa Capitol mailing address:
State Capitol Building, 1007 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Thank you so much for your willingness to stand up and use your voice. Together we can and will make a difference!