Senate receives eight House-passed bills; Iowa Utilities Commission chair Eric Helland to meet senators
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Summary
On March 24, 2025, the Iowa Senate was presented with eight bills passed earlier that day by the Iowa House. The chamber was also notified that Eric Helland, appointed chair of the Iowa Utilities Commission, was in the gallery and would be available to meet with senators for about 30 minutes after session.
DES MOINES — The Iowa Senate on March 24, 2025, was presented with eight bills the Iowa House passed that day and was informed that Eric Helland, the governor’s appointee as chair of the Iowa Utilities Commission, was in the gallery and would be available to meet with senators for about 30 minutes after the session.
The bills read into the record by the secretary cover a range of topics: requirements for instruction for school bus drivers; open meetings and open records penalties; a measure described as the "compassion care for medically challenging pregnancies" act; rules for disposition of firearms and ammunition seized through forfeiture proceedings; hunting-license provisions for disabled veterans; removing birth centers from the definition of an institutional health facility; changes to law enforcement academy eligibility to include military veterans and former federal officers; and a bill concerning immunity from civil or criminal liability after use of reasonable force to defend oneself, others, or property. The reading identified some sponsors (several bills were described as "of Buffenack") but provided no further legislative text or vote tallies.
The secretary announced the bills as passed by the House on March 24, 2025, and presented them to the Senate; the transcript does not record any Senate debate, referral, committee assignment, or vote on those measures during the session excerpt. Where the reading did not include additional details, the content and next steps are not specified.
Separately, the presiding officer noted the presence in the gallery of Eric Helland, identified as chair of the Iowa Utilities Commission; the presiding officer said Helland would be available to meet with senators for 30 minutes after the session. The transcript records no substantive discussion with Helland during the portion of the session provided.
The session otherwise proceeded with routine business and a brief approval of the journal; several ceremonial and member announcements followed but are not substantive legislative actions and are not covered here.