(Des Moines, Iowa) – Southwest Iowa Republican Representative Tom Moore, of Griswold, reports, week three of the Iowa General Assembly, kept him busy with Committee meetings, sub-committee meetings and floor action on bills, as they begin the process of moving through debate. Moore, who represents House District 21, covering Adams, Union, parts of Cass and Pottawattamie Counties, says during the Health and Human Services Committee meeting Tuesday, his bill, HF13 passed unanimously with an amendment.

Moore said also, House Bill 9, which revises the mental health loan forgiveness program established last year, to add prescribing practitioners, and provides preference to Iowans and those willing to serve in a mental health shortage area, passed in the HHS Committee. It appropriates $1.5-million in the 2024 Fiscal Year.

The Education Committee, Moore said, also met Tuesday afternoon. A bill, HF11 passed with an amendment.

Two other bills in the committee also passed, but Moore says he voted against both. One requires within social studies requirements, United States Government, which includes a comparative discussion of political ideologies, including communism and totalitarianism, that Moore says “conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy that were essential to the founding of the United States.” Moore says he voted no because he is against increased mandates on schools.

(R) Rep. Tom Moore

The other bill he voted against, but still passed, deals with open enrollment transportation. It would allow school buses from the receiving district to enter in the district of residence, without both districts having to agree.

In the Economic Growth and Technology Committee, Representative Tom Moore says they passed bills defining ransomware, and creates penalties for the crime when used against certain entities. Another bill establishes a cybersecurity training center at ISU, that will conduct and sponsor research and activities that enable persons to develop strategies to count cybersecurity threats and mitigate the damage resulting from an attack.

Moore invites constituents with questions or comments, to reach out to him at  tom.moore@legis.iowa.gov

You can also call 712-789-9954. You can subscribe to Moore’s newsletter through those options.