House passes bill on county meeting minutes after floor fight over amendment to sell governor’s plane

Senate File 2341, a bill about the approval and publication of county board of supervisors meeting minutes, passed the Iowa House after debate that included a failed, high-profile amendment proposing the sale of the governor’s plane.

Representative Wigtendahl introduced an amendment (H8302) to the bill that would have required the governor’s Cessna 208B Grand Caravan to be sold and the proceeds used for other needs. On the floor Wigtendahl criticized the governor’s use and disclosure of the aircraft and said the plane ‘‘was bought with 4.6 to $4,700,000 in COVID relief funds’’ and cost taxpayers about $830 per hour in variable expenses. The sponsor framed the amendment as a transparency and priority issue and proposed using proceeds to assist Iowans facing health-care cost pressures.

Representative Golding raised a point that the sale proposal might be non-germane to the bill; the floor then proceeded to a motion to suspend the rules and a roll-call on the amendment. The roll-call on H8302 recorded 28 yes, 63 no, and 9 absent; the amendment failed.

A subsequent, more technical amendment (H8254, by Golding of Blinn) that clarified timing language for the approval of minutes was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then approved Senate File 2341 as amended on final passage by a recorded vote of 63 ayes, 29 no, and 8 absent.

What happens next: The bill will be transmitted to the Senate. The floor exchange drew attention for its direct criticism of the governor’s aircraft and an unsuccessful attempt to convert that criticism into an amendment to a county-minutes bill.