DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers on Saturday ended a legislative session that was highlighted by the passage of bills that authorize farmers to grow hemp, gamblers to bet on sports and a requirement that local governments publicize and get a supermajority vote on property tax increases. To become law those measures still need the signature of Gov. Kim Reynolds, who saw some of her own priorities pass but others left for another day.

Reynolds received approval for her priority measure to establish a mental health care system for children but could not get senators to approve a constitutional amendment that would restore voting rights to felons. An amendment must pass the legislature twice before it goes to a statewide vote.

Republicans continued to hold a majority in the Legislature but lost one member when Rep. Andy McKean announced Tuesday he was leaving the party and joining the Democrats out of frustration with President Donald Trump and a party he said has shifted too far to the right. McKean’s decision leaves Republicans with a 53 to 47 majority in the House.

The 2019 session ended a week earlier than scheduled with bills on gun rights, abortion, animal abuse penalties, traffic cameras, Medicaid work requirements and solar energy fees left unfinished. “I think there are things that people would like to do that they still need to get some questions answered and understand why their colleagues aren’t supporting them,” said Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer.

Senate Democratic leader Janet Petersen in closing remarks criticized the lack of effort in the legislature to fix the state’s privatized Medicaid program. “Instead of focusing on health prevention and wellness efforts, our state is still reeling from the governor’s privatized Medicaid mess that has gone on for more than three years,” she said.

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Here’s a look at issues considered by lawmakers:
FELON VOTING RIGHTS
This priority of Reynolds passed the House with a strong bipartisan vote of 95-2 but it couldn’t pass the Senate, as some senators wanted to require total repayment of restitution and exclusion of those convicted of murder, rape, or child molestation.
SPORTS BETTING
Lawmakers approved a bill to authorize casinos, under the regulation of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, to roll out betting on professional, collegiate and international sporting events, including motor racing. It excludes betting on some events, including minor leagues and in-state college team players. The bill also legalizes fantasy sports contests and internet fantasy sports betting. Reynolds must decide whether to sign it.
PROPERTY TAXES
Lawmaker passed a property tax bill that forces counties and cities to publicize and pass by a two-thirds vote any property tax increase over 2 percent. Property tax reform was a priority for Republican leaders this session but earlier bills that limited annual tax increases faded as criticism from local government officials intensified.
GROWING HEMP
A bill legalizing growing hemp was sent to Reynolds for her consideration. It allows licensed growers to cultivate the crop on up to 40 acres. Industrial hemp can be used in food, fiber, paper and other products.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
A bill limiting the powers of the state’s attorney general developed late in the session as an amendment to a budget bill after some Republicans expressed frustration that Democrat Tom Miller joined lawsuits opposing the actions of President Donald Trump. Miller said it makes Iowa the first state to limit the attorney general to such an extreme. It requires Miller to get permission from the governor, executive council or Legislature to pursue out-of-state lawsuits. Reynolds could line-item veto it from the budget bill if she disagrees.
CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH
A priority of Reynolds, the bill creates a children’s behavioral health system, a state board and assigns new duties to the Department of Human Services. It also establishes regional mental health services provided through the adult Mental Health and Disability Services system. Reynolds plans on signing the bill.
JUDGE SELECTION
Lawmakers passed a bill that changes how judges for the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals are chosen to give the governor greater control and weaken the influence of attorneys. Democrats accused Republicans of attempting to stack the courts in their favor because they disagree with court rulings that overturned laws on same-sex marriage and abortion. Reynolds supported the bill.
SOLAR FEES
A bill pushed by MidAmerican Energy passed the Senate but didn’t get a vote in the House. It would have required homeowners, businesses and farmers who install solar panels to pay a new monthly fee, cutting into the savings customers see and discouraging future installations. It was opposed by legislators who note farmers are enduring tough times and that new fees would deprive them of an option for saving money.
RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS AMENDMENT
A constitutional amendment declaring a right of the people to keep and bear arms passed this year. It also declares any and all restrictions on gun rights shall be subject to strict scrutiny, which requires a higher bar for a court to reach before gun laws can be struck down. It must be passed a second time before going to voters. It was one of several gun rights expansion bills proposed this session but many failed to move forward, including one that would have eliminated the requirement for gun permits to own or buy a gun.
MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS
A bill that would have required tens of thousands of Medicaid recipients to work to keep their benefits failed to advance despite support from some Republicans, who argued there was a “groundswell of support” for a work requirements. State officials said about 60,000 people could have been affected. Opponents say it could kick people off Medicaid who must stay home, such as to care for a parent with Alzheimer’s. Arkansas kicked 18,000 Medicaid recipients off their health insurance after last year’s enactment of the law.
NO RIGHT TO ABORTION IN CONSTITUTION
Republican Sen. Jake Chapman introduced a bill that would amend the Iowa Constitution to declare there is no right to an abortion in Iowa. The bill came just days after an Iowa judge overturned last year’s fetal heartbeat law, which banned abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. Chapman said his bill, which didn’t advance, addresses what he considers judicial tyranny and overreach.
DEATH PENALTY
A Senate committee narrowly passed a death penalty bill, making it eligible for debate, but it did not advance. A similar bill last year failed to get through the committee process. The bill would have made it a capital offense to kidnap, rape and murder a minor. Iowa abolished the death penalty in 1965.
ANIMAL ABUSE
The House unanimously approved a bill that would have heightened the criminal penalties for animal abuse and neglect, animal torture and abandonment. It exempted farm livestock and some wild animals. The bill died in the Senate.
AG GAG
Gov. Kim Reynolds last month signed into law a bill that created a trespass charge for undercover investigators who get hired at a farm in order to report on animal living conditions. Animal welfare group that successfully sued the state for a previous ag-gag law have sued again in federal court to challenge the new law.
SEX REASSIGNMENT SURGERY
Conservative Republicans added a last-minute prohibition on the use of Medicaid funding to pay for sex-reassignment surgery. Backers of the amendment to a Health and Human Services funding bill say the prohibition on using federal or state money for sex reassignment surgery is a response to an Iowa Supreme Court decision. The ruling last month said the state cannot deny two transgender women Medicaid coverage for such a surgery. The bill passed despite claims by Democrats that it was a mean-spirited attempt at discrimination.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A blast of winter in late spring is hitting northern and northeastern Iowa. A snowstorm that is pushing through the upper Midwest this weekend is also moving through parts of northern Iowa, dropping heavy snow in the area, including along Interstate 35 through Clear Lake and Mason City. The snow, paired with high winds, rain and fog in some places, have cut visibility and made driving in the area dangerous.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the area, including the cities of Dubuque, Maquoketa, and Waterloo, until 10 p.m. Saturday.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office used force to arrest a man early this (Saturday) morning. 37-year old Nicholas Giesken, of Chariton, was arrested in the 200 block of Broadway Street in Clearfield on a valid Taylor County Warrant for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, a Class D Felony.

During the arrest Giesken failed to comply with Deputies commands and was tasered. He faces charges that include with Interference with Official Acts, a simple misdemeanor and Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana (1st Offense).

During the investigation, Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office K9, Heky, assisted and indicated to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle that Giesken was in control of. Giesken was subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine (3rd or subsequent offense), a Class D Felony.  He was being held in the Taylor County Jail  on $10,600 bond, pending an appearance with the magistrate.

And, a Bedford man was arrested Thursday on an active Taylor County warrant for Failure to Appear in court on an original charge of Theft in the 2nd Degree. 28-year old Adam Sills was also chargedin conjunction with an active investigation for Forgery. He was being held at the Taylor County Jail on $5,000 bond.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The leaders of several Midwest states hit recently by flooding along the Missouri River say they’ve received assurances from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the states will “have a seat at the table” when it comes to river management decisions.

The Republican governors of Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri and Kansas’ Democratic lieutenant governor all met with Corps officials in the western Iowa city of Council Bluffs on Friday, the second such meeting since last month’s devastating floods.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said the states are considering pushing for formation of a Missouri River management commission — similar to the Mississippi River Commission — that would include representatives from the states.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also said repair contracts for three of the river’s larges breaches have already been awarded and that some of the repairs could be finished as early as July.

(Radio Iowa) — The deadline is approaching for you to appeal if you got a new assessment on your home that you think is too high. Iowa Association of Realtors president John Goede says there’s a place you can get help. He says call your agent to get help with your assessment. He says the real estate agent can help you research comparables.

“They’re the professional, they’re the pro, they’re the expert in your area. And they would be glad to help to get some compables to help you with your presentation to the board of adjustment,” Goede says. The appeals have to be into the county by April 30th.

ELDORA, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman convicted on charges related to confining her boyfriend’s 8-year-old son under basement stairs has been sentenced to jail and a small fine.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Traci Lynn Tyler was sentenced Friday to up to a year in jail, following her April 10 conviction of misdemeanor false imprisonment. She had been charged with kidnapping but a judge convicted her of the lesser charge.

Prosecutors say Tyler and the boy’s father, Alex Shadlow, locked the child in a space beneath the basement stairs of their Ackley home for at least nine hours a day in summer 2017. The boy told authorities he slept on concrete.

Because Tyler served 266 days in jail before her conviction, she may only serve another three months. That time could be reduced for good behavior. She was fined $315. Shadlow is awaiting trial.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Efforts to end the Iowa legislative session have been delayed by a last-minute amendment from conservative Republicans who are seeking to prohibit the use of Medicaid funding to pay for sex-reassignment surgery.

Backers of the Friday afternoon amendment to a Health and Human Services funding bill say the prohibition on using federal or state money for sex reassignment surgery is a response to an Iowa Supreme Court decision. The ruling last month said the state cannot deny two transgender women Medicaid coverage for such a surgery.

Republican Sen. Jake Chapman says his constituents believe “this is an elective surgery that if Iowans want to do, that’s fine but not with our taxpayer dollars.”

Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen called the amendment a mean-spirited attempt at discrimination. By raising the issue so late, she says Republicans prevented Democrats from amending the proposal.

The measure also would prohibit government money from paying for sex education programs by Planned Parenthood.

The Senate passed the bill 31-19. The bill was to be heard in the House later.

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Alex Londo report FEMA will be opening disaster recovery centers for people to apply for assistance in Shelby county. They will be in Harlan at the Harlan Fire Department located at 906 Cyclone Ave on Monday April 29 thru Wednesday May 1st. The hours will be Monday 12pm to 7pm and 9am to 7pm Tuesday and Wednesday.

FEMA representatives will in Shelby at the Community building located at 500 East St on Thursday May 2nd thru Saturday May 4th. Hours of operation are Thursday 12pm to 7pm and 9am to 7pm Friday and Saturday.

FEMA personnel will then follow the same schedule the following week at both locations. There is no need to set up an appointment, just come in and register.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrest at around 12:25-a.m. Thursday, of a Council Bluffs man and woman. 38-year old Bryan James Regenscheid was arrested in the area of 221st St. and Highway 34, on two counts Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at  $2,600. At the same place and time, 27-year old Angel Marie Shlee was arrested for Forgery and Theft in the 5th degree. Her bond was set at $5,300.

Wednesday night, 30-year old Amanda Corine Elrod, of Glenwood, was arrested at 6th and N. Vine Streets in Glenwood, for Driving Under Suspension and having No SR-22 Insurance. Bond was set at 1,300.