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Supervisors review state bills; register positions as undecided on fentanyl test-strip exemption, oppose lobbyist ban
Summary
County policy staff reviewed several state bills and the Board of Supervisors directed staff to register positions with the county’s lobbyists: register as undecided on House File 699 (harm-reduction exemptions for fentanyl test strips) and register against Senate File 493 (prohibiting use of tax money to hire lobbyists).
At its March 12 meeting, the Linn County Board of Supervisors heard a legislative update from Darren Gage, director of policy and administration, and discussed whether to register the county for or against several state bills.
Gage reviewed several measures: Senate File 507 (described in the meeting as prohibiting county and city D I programs), House Study Bill 287 (eminent domain for hazardous liquid pipelines), House Study Bill 162 (requiring cities and counties to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on single-family lots), Senate File 493 (described as prohibiting local governments from using tax money to hire lobbyists), and House File 699 (harm-reduction measures exempting fentanyl test strips and certain drug-checking equipment from paraphernalia penalties). Gage said some items were currently registered as "undecided." He also noted House File 156 (relating to township levies for fire protection/EMS) had not passed funnel but could be revived; staff and supervisors discussed implications of restoring levy authority at the township level versus countywide approaches.
Supervisors debated SF 493 and agreed to register against it, citing the utility of lobbyists (and the Iowa State Association of Counties) in tracking and advocating county interests. On House File 699 (test strips and drug-checking equipment), supervisors expressed aims to gather more information; several noted life-saving potential of harm-reduction tools but also concerns about unintended promotion of drug use. Gage advised that the county must register (including as undecided) if it wants lobbyists to speak at committee hearings; supervisors agreed to register as undecided on HF 699 so county lobbyists could participate.
Gage summarized additional concerns about the Ways and Means budget bill and other pending language; supervisors asked staff and lobbyists to continue monitoring and bring more information back for future direction.
