Barker

This week was the second legislative funnel deadline, which means that most House bills must pass a Senate committee and vice versa by the end of this week, so House committee work was focused on review Senate bills.

I also participated in a bi-partisan press conference unveiling polling data showing that an overwhelming majority of Iowans of all demographics supports raising the tobacco tax. Not only is tobacco the leading preventable cause of death, but it costs taxpayers far more than we take in from the current tobacco tax, which hasn’t been adjusted in almost 20 years. While I don’t like raising a tax, this is an income taxpayer protection and will save lives while protecting the wallets of income taxpayers.

On Tuesday, I spoke about the danger of kratom, a highly addictive substance with potentially fatal effects, on the House floor. The House voted to ban kratom and sent the bill over to the Senate for further consideration.

This week I met with developers about the current property tax proposals, with the Marshall County Cattlemen, and with Acadia Healthcare that provides important treatment for addiction for Iowans. I also had the opportunity to visit with President Cook from Iowa State University. I was impressed with President Cook when I visited NDSU with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance a couple years ago and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes back home in Ames.

The Iowa Business Council recently released its 2026 Competitive Dashboard which reviewed Iowa’s economic competitiveness. The report found that Iowa’s gross state product increased to $265.8 billion, up 4.65% from the previous year. Iowa’s median household income grew to more than $75,000 and the state continues to lead the rankings in manufacturing hubs.

Labor force participation also went up–coming in at 67.5 percent in November 2025. That puts Iowa at fifth nationally. Along those lines–during the 24-25 academic year, 36,075 Iowa high school students participated in work-based learning. This was an increase of more than 11,000 students compared with the previous year.

Finally, on taxes, Iowa improved its individual income tax competitiveness ranking, moving from 18th to 11th nationally following tax reforms enacted in 2022. House Republican fingerprints are all over these successes. With leadership on work-based learning programs and passing Iowa’s largest tax cut in history–there are a lot of things to be proud.

This week the House approved House File 2133, a bill that addresses the growing presence of kratom in Iowa. The legislation passed with bipartisan support, 69 to 26.

Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia that contains compounds with psychoactive effects. While it is often marketed as a “natural” supplement or energy booster, medical professionals and law enforcement have raised concerns about its safety and addictive potential.

House File 2133 classifies kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance under Iowa law. This is the most restrictive category and is reserved for substances that have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use in the United States, and no accepted safety use under medical supervision.

Kratom has been linked to addiction and withdrawal symptoms similar to opioids. It can also cause serious health complications including seizures, liver damage and respiratory issues. Because kratom products are largely unregulated, they are often sold in smoke shops, convenience stores, and online without oversight. Some products have also been found to contain heavy metals or harmful bacteria, like Salmonella.

By categorizing kratom as a schedule I controlled substance, law enforcement will have the tools they need to remove these products from store shelves and prevent the spread of kratom retail outlets in Iowa communities.

At the end of the day, this bill is about protecting Iowa families. Just because something is marketed as “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe. House File 2133 takes a proactive step to address a growing and unregulated drug before it becomes a larger problem across the state.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to work hard on your behalf in Des Moines! Follow “Barker for Iowa” on social media channels to stay up to date on my work. Please reach out to me about any questions, concerns, or suggestions at brett.barker@legis.iowa.gov.

——-

Brett Barker, a Republican from Nevada, represents District 51 in the Iowa House.