Linn County hears legislative update: Iowa Senate did not take up Cedar Rapids gaming moratorium; lawmakers mourn Rep. Graeber

County officials reported a legislative update during the Feb. 5 meeting at the Linn County Public Service Center: the Iowa Senate did not take up a bill that would impose a retroactive five-year moratorium on the Cedar Rapids gaming license, and the licensing matter is expected to be heard by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

“As of now, that is a piece of legislation that we've been monitoring rather closely,” the chair said. Director Mack, identified during the meeting as the county’s director monitoring legislative affairs, explained the early-session timing and the role of “funnel” dates in bill progression: “That's on the calendar. The I mean first couple of funnels are bill request and dates by I think that has passed just recently… leadership can always request at any moment at any time during the entire session any bills that they want to and then ways and means and appropriations bills are funnel proof as well.”

Meeting remarks also noted the recent death of a member of the Iowa House. Director Mack said he had served with Representative Graeber, who the speaker identified as being from the Lee County area; he noted funeral services had taken place and offered condolences.

The county did not record any formal action or directive on the gaming matter at this meeting. Officials said they are monitoring developments and that the commission hearing on the Cedar Rapids license was expected to occur imminently; specific hearing dates and outcomes were not provided in the transcript.

No staff from the county’s legislative office were present for the update; topics such as the urban county coalition and other legislative priorities were mentioned but not detailed.