Barker

This week was full of floor action as the House works to pass important policy bills before the end of session, including bills protecting school choice and your 2nd amendment rights. Both Chambers are working diligently on the budget and property tax reform in order to prepare for adjournment. A big highlight of my week was visiting with Gilbert Intermediate School students who came to the Capitol for their field trip. I also enjoyed showing ISU students Trey and Brody around the Capitol and letting them experience floor debate with us. It was great to visit with a full room of friendly faces at the Story County GOP Round Up at Finski’s in Huxley. If you haven’t been there yet, check out this great new small business.

I am very thankful for the strong teamwork with Senator Kara Warme. She successfully ushered my accessible pharmacy label bill, HF2585, though the Senate. The bill will help visually impaired Iowans manage their prescription medications. It now heads to the Governor’s desk.

House Passes Apprenticeship Bill

On Wednesday, the House Republicans passed a priority workforce bill. The bill focuses on making sure our Iowa students have the opportunities they need to successfully enter the workforce while also filling positions Iowa needs.

The bill appropriates $9.5 million to a new Career Training Physical Program. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance for construction of new facilities and procurement of equipment that expands the capacity of community colleges and unionized and nonunionized private sector apprenticeship programs to provide education and training for workers in high-demand fields in Iowa. All the groups offering these apprenticeship programs are doing vital things for Iowa and for Iowa students. This funding helps the expansion of these efforts.

Some school districts are already doing a great job offering pre-apprenticeship programs. This bill encourages other districts to partner with apprenticeship sponsors and the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship. Schools can establish new coursework in areas such as plumbing, HVAC and math for skilled trades; align their coursework to meet requirements of registered apprenticeship programs; and expand their current programs to offer additional opportunities.

House Republicans heard time and again from community colleges that the Last Dollar Scholar program was working however more control over the program would make it more successful. These colleges know what jobs are needed in their area and shouldn’t be hamstrung in their efforts to train Iowans for those jobs.

Feedback from Iowans helped House Republicans create these pathways for students to experience apprenticeship programs early on so they are able to earn a living in a high-pay, high-demand fields. This helps Iowa students, Iowa families, and Iowa’s future.

House Republicans Support EMS Funding and Tax Credit

House Republicans spearheaded the effort to create the EMS levy to ensure dedicated emergency medical services funding. When an Iowan calls 911–they should feel confident a prompt response is coming and House Republicans are ensuring that. This week a pair of EMS bills passed the House Ways and Means Committee in support of that goal.

Currently, 21 counties have a county-wide, voter-approved EMS levy. House File 92 relates to that levy found in Iowa Code 422D. The bill stops TIF districts from swiping the increment on the EMS levies and spending it however they want. Although it seems obvious the money was specifically for EMS funding because the money was voted on by the residents of the county specifically for EMS funding, that hasn’t always been the case. TIF related development project were never meant to receive that money and any other interpretation is misleading and dishonest. The bill applies to property taxes due and payable in fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.

Another bill that passed the House Ways and Means Committee this week is House File 2280. Currently, an emergency medical services member who is certified as a first responder under Code chapter 147A may claim an individual income tax credit for services performed in the amount of $250. House File 2280 modifies the credit to also allow EMS personnel to claim the tax credit if they are a volunteer ambulance driver. House Republicans will continue to recognize the local responders who donate their time and talents for the safety of their community. This tax credit is just a small token for the sacrifice they make. The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Both EMS bills are now available for full consideration by the House.

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.

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