Warme

National Agriculture Week is always one of my favorite times at the Capitol. It’s a chance to step back and recognize just how important agriculture is to our state. Farming is not only part of Iowa’s identity, but also a major driver of our economy, making up more than 22% of total economic output. Iowa continues to lead the nation in corn, pork, biodiesel and egg production, and that doesn’t happen without the hard work of farm families across our state.

With that in mind, we advanced two agriculture-related bills through the Commerce Committee this week, both centered on something I hear about often: protecting private property rights. House File 2227 focuses on what happens after large electric transmission lines are constructed across agricultural land. This bill sets clear expectations that the land must be restored as closely as possible to its original condition. At its core, this bill is about making sure that as we expand energy capacity across our state, landowners are respected and their topsoil, drainage tile and more maintain value and productivity.

House File 2583 takes a different approach but comes back to that same principle of accountability. This bill requires transmission line owners to have emergency response plans in place, including clear points of contact, coordination with local emergency management and a plan for restoring service as quickly as possible. For Iowans, especially those in rural areas, reliable service and clear communication matter, and this bill helps ensure there are expectations in place when issues arise. While these bills are technical in nature, the goal is simple: if projects are going to take place on or impact someone’s land, there needs to be responsibility, communication and respect for the people who live and work there.

I also want to share an update on cancer research here in Iowa. A new report from the Iowa Cancer Registry and the Agricultural Health Study followed more than 89,000 farmers and their spouses, including tens of thousands of pesticide applicators, over a ten-year period. The results showed that Iowa farmers experienced 13% fewer cancers than expected and their spouses experienced 10% fewer, compared to the general population. This is significant because it helps address long-standing questions about whether pesticide use is contributing to higher cancer rates. According to this study, it does not increase the likelihood of developing cancer, even among those with the highest levels of exposure.

Last year, the legislature appropriated $1 million to the University of Iowa to study Iowa’s cancer rates and develop policy recommendations. The first phase of results, which I previously wrote about, highlights lifestyle areas where we have work to do. That report showed that Iowans rank among the highest in binge drinking, obesity and low vegetable consumption, all of which increase the risk of many types of cancer. The next phase of the study will focus on genetic and environmental factors, with the final report expected in June 2026. These findings, alongside increased access to cancer screenings and medical providers through our policies already passed this year, will help guide thoughtful decisions as we look at ways to better support the health of Iowans across our state.

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Kara Warme, a Republican from Ames, represents District 26 in the Iowa Senate.