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Supervisors set positions on several bills; register undecided on fentanyl test-strip measure
Summary
Linn County supervisors on March 12 reviewed several bills in the Iowa Legislature and instructed staff to register positions: the county will register as undecided on House File 699 (harm-reduction exemptions for fentanyl test strips), register opposition to Senate File 493 (ban on using tax money to hire lobbyists), and remain undecided on a Senate city bill referenced as 1208.
During the March 12 meeting, Darren Gage, Linn County director of policy and administration, updated the Board of Supervisors on several bills moving through the Iowa Legislature and sought direction on the county's registration positions.
Gage listed items the county was marked as "undecided" on, including Senate File 507 (described in the briefing as a measure that "prohibits 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 a single-family lot), Senate File 493 (prohibits local governments from using tax money to hire lobbyists), and House File 699 (harm-reduction provisions exempting fentanyl test strips and some drug-checking equipment from paraphernalia penalties). Gage also noted SJR 6 was not active and that House File 156 (raising township levy limits for fire/EMS) had not advanced through the funnel but could be revived in other language.
Board members discussed Senate File 493 and expressed opposition. "I think our lobbyist does do a lot of great work for us," one supervisor said in arguing against a prohibition; another agreed they should register against the bill. Supervisors also discussed the township-levy language in House File 156 and signaled interest in exploring options that would let local fire and EMS districts raise levies locally rather than rely solely on countywide referenda.
On House File 699, which would exempt fentanyl test strips and some drug-checking equipment from paraphernalia penalties, supervisors described mixed views. One supervisor said the county's lobbyist cannot speak at committee unless the county is registered; another urged registering at minimum as "undecided" to allow the lobbyist to participate. A supervisor who described a family overdose said harm-reduction tools can save lives and supported allowing the county more time to gather information before taking a final position; the board agreed to register as undecided to allow further discussion and to enable the lobbyist to appear if committee action occurs.
Gage summarized the decisions near the end of the briefing: register as undecided on House File 699, register opposition to Senate File 493, and remain undecided on a Senate city bill referenced as "Senate City Bill 1208." The transcript records those registration positions but does not include a formal motion or roll-call vote; the actions were recorded as staff direction and consensus.
