Iowa District 21 Republican Representative Tom Moore, from Griswold, Friday (today), issued the third in his series of legislative newsletters, covering a variety of topics, including Broadband, Election Integrity, and the Second Amendment.

Rep. Tom Moore (R-Griswold)

Expanding Access to Quality Broadband

HF 867: $100 Million for Broadband – The Iowa House passed the Administration and Regulation budget containing $100 million for broadband internet expansion. The Iowa House has made it a priority to not just increase broadband speeds, but make sure Iowans in “broadband deserts” get connected to broadband internet. Additionally, the House passed HF848 which set a framework for aggressively building out Iowa’s broadband infrastructure.

Strengthening Election Integrity

SF 413: Election Integrity – Because of the actions taken by the Legislature in the past, Iowa’s election system is safe and secure and in 2020 we had record turnout. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take actions to improve it. This session we passed SF413 to continue to improve our election laws to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat. Highlights of the bill include:

• Updating ballot access requirements to make them more equal and standard across the state.
• Creating and strengthening election misconduct penalties.
• Shortening absentee ballot request period to 70 days (from 120) and shortens mailing period for absentee ballots to 20 days (from 29)
• Limiting drop box locations per county.
• Limiting who can deliver an absentee ballot for someone else.
• While keeping necessary accommodations for the disabled and the elderly.
• Prohibiting ballot harvesting, pre-filled absentee ballot request forms, and county auditors from mailing ballot request unsolicited.
• Mandating voter registration maintenance for Secretary of State and County Auditors.

Second Amendment 

SJR 7: Freedom Amendment – Iowa is one of only 6 states that currently has no language in its Constitution that protects the fundamental right to keep and bear arms. This amendment would add that right explicitly to our Constitution. Iowans will now get the final say on this issue on the ballot in 2022.

HF 756: Firearms Omnibus Bill – Whether you live in a city or in a rural area, your right to keep and bear arms is essential and Iowa House Republicans are committed to protecting it. This bill does not eliminate background checks as many are being misled to believe. It is actually likely to increase the amount and frequency of background checks on gun purchases. Highlights of the bill include:

• Allowing law enforcement and reserve officers to carry firearms on school grounds regardless of whether or not they’re on duty.
• Allow EMTs who train and serve with a tactical team a professional permit to carry.
• Reaffirm that law-abiding Iowans don’t need to ask the government’s permission to practice their Constitutional right by eliminating the need to get a permit to carry or acquire a firearm.
• Expand Iowans’ access to state-approved training organizations to become trained to carry a handgun by creating a DPS database of approved organizations.

HF 621: Clarifying Immunity for Firearms Manufacturers – This bill reestablishes that the responsibility for heinous acts relies solely on the perpetrator of the act, not on the manufacturer of the firearm or ammunition. Manufacturers would still be held accountable for defective firearms or ammunition.