William Petroski, and Brianne Pfannenstiel

Des Moines Register

Republicans promised major policy changes after victories in Iowa House and Senate elections in November, and they delivered by approving a sweeping conservative agenda in the Legislature's 2017 session.

This year's session ended Saturday with the House adjourning at 7:14 a.m. and the Senate wrapping up at 7:16 a.m. The session, which began Jan. 9, lasted 104 days.

Key lawmakers worked throughout Friday night and into Saturday morning to negotiate on bills and draft the details of final legislation. This included a compromise approved Saturday by the Legislature that will expand a state law allowing ailing Iowans to use a marijuana-derived oil known as cannabis oil. But a late, intensive lobbying campaign failed in a bid to win House approval of a Senate-passed bill that would have increased state funding for water quality projects by $27 million annually.

The legislation for medical cannabis oil, which is now available to Iowans with severe epilepsy, broadens the availability of the drug to patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. It will also allow the drug to be manufactured and sold in Iowa, and a medical advisory board will be able to recommend changes to the Iowa Board of Medicine.

The Legislature also approved the session's final spending bill of a $7.24 billion general fund budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that will see cuts in many state programs because of a revenue shortfall. The budget bill includes a provision repealing a requirement in state law that public art be included in the construction costs for new state buildings.

“I think it has been a historic session," said Iowa Senate President Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny. "We came in with a bold agenda. We came in with a plan to help grow the state of Iowa and create jobs, and we passed a lot of legislation this year in that area. But we have also done a lot of things for freedom in Iowa — Second Amendment rights, approving fireworks, and we have also done a lot of things to revitalize rural Iowa."

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said it was the worst session in his 19 years in the Iowa Legislature.

"Republicans now in the majority campaigned on creating jobs, raising incomes, and most of the policy work that we saw in this session involving taking away from workers, making it harder for workers to make ends meet, making it harder for them to take care of their families," Bolkcom said. "The largest problem that we hear from Iowa businesses is that we need trained, skilled workers, and we didn’t do anything to improve that. In fact, we raised college tuition for every Iowa kid trying to get a little more training and education, which is really taking us in the wrong direction."

This year's session marked the first time since 1998 that Republicans had majorities in the Senate and House and held the governor's office at the same time. It gave the the GOP full control over the state budget and other legislation and eliminated the possibility that Democrats could block conservative bills.

After convening in January, Republican lawmakers placed a priority on limiting collective bargaining for Iowa's 184,000 public employees. After three days of contentious debate in the Senate, the bill received final approval in mid-February and was signed the next day by Gov. Terry Branstad. GOP lawmakers then approved a series of pro-business bills that nullified minimum-wage increases for workers in five Iowa counties, limited medical malpractice lawsuits; limited nuisance lawsuits against livestock operators; restricted asbestos-related liability lawsuits; and cut workers' compensation benefits.

Despite lobbying by hundreds of pink-clad Planned Parenthood supporters who flooded the Capitol, the GOP majorities agreed to limit most Iowa abortions after 20 weeks and to shift public funding to medical clinics statewide that don't perform abortions. Gun owners were rewarded with pro-firearms legislation that includes a "stand your ground" provision that says a law-abiding person does not have a duty to retreat before using deadly force. In addition, retail fireworks will be legal in Iowa this Fourth of July for the first time in decades, assuming Branstad signs the fireworks bill, which appears likely.

Branstad, a Republican who is expected to be confirmed soon as U.S. ambassador to China, said his 23rd legislative session as governor was one of the most productive sessions he's seen in terms of policy measures that will benefit the public, government and businesses.

"The Legislature has had to make a lot of tough decisions on the budget," Branstad said. "But I think they have worked in a responsible way and not used a meat axe approach of across-the-board cuts that has been done in the past administrations. Instead, they have tried to set priorities for protecting things like school aid and property tax reimbursements."

House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, who has served in the Legislature since 2003, said the House was helped by a Republican-controlled Senate where legislative leaders could take ideas and build consensus.

"It’s not been an easy session because of the budget," she said. "Despite that, I think the Legislature’s worked in a diligent and thoughtful way."

Here are some of the bills passed in the 2017 session. Many have already been signed by Branstad, while others are still being reviewed by the governor. Most bills take effect on July 1, but some will become effective on other dates.

MEDICAL CANNABIS OIL: This legislation is more narrow than a wide-ranging medical marijuana bill approved this session by the Iowa Senate. But it expands the list of debilitating medical conditions in Iowa eligible for a marijuana extract known as cannabis oil to include cancer, Parkinson's disease, AIDS or HIV, multiple sclerosis, terminal illnesses with severe pain, as well as epileptic seizures and some other ailments. Smoking of the drug is prohibited and only Iowa doctors will be allowed to recommend it. Patients and primary care givers may obtain a card from the Iowa Department of Health that must be renewed annually. House File 524

PUBLIC ART/SUPREME COURT: A budget bill passed just prior to adjournment repeals an Iowa law that requires that at least one-half of 1 percent of the total estimated cost of the construction of a state building include fine arts in the plans and specifications of the building. Democrats criticized the action, saying art in public buildings is a matter of public pride. But Republicans said art is a frivolous expense in tough budget times and they complained state money was being spent on public art at places like highway rest stops and livestock buildings. Lawmakers also decided to require the Iowa Supreme Court to give up space it has controlled in the past under an agreement with the Legislature. This includes the Supreme Court's old chambers on the first floor of the Capitol and an adjacent consultation room that are regularly used by legislative committees, as well as a first-floor office still used by the judicial branch. However, the bill requires the Legislative Council to provide the judicial branch with the use of space in the Capitol for ceremonial purposes. Senate File 516

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: Lawmakers agreed to limit medical malpractice lawsuits, one of the key priorities of majority Republicans' policy agenda for the 2017 session. The measure includes provisions governing doctor-patient communications after adverse medical incidents; capping limits on noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, at $250,000; requiring a "certificate of merit" to screen out frivolous litigation; and establishing standards for expert witnesses. However, the $250,000 damages cap will not apply in cases involving permanent impairment, disfigurement or death under an amendment approved by the Iowa House. Senate File 465

DRINKS AT CRAFT DISTILLERIES: Iowa's craft liquor distillers will be allowed to mix cocktails at their manufacturing facilities under a bill that both Democrats and Republicans praised as a good step for economic development. The issue has been under discussion in the Legislature for years as distillers tried and failed to advance legislation they say puts them on a level playing field with Iowa's craft breweries and wineries. House File 607

VOTER ID: Lawmakers approved contentious legislation proposed by Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate that will require voters to show government-issued identification at the polls and will reduce the time period for early voting. The legislation makes changes to Iowa's elections laws that Republicans say are needed to ensure the honesty of the process and prevent fraud. Among them is a provision that would require every voter to present government-issued identification at the poll on Election Day. In addition, the bill shortens the time frame for casting absentee ballots and voting early at satellite polling sites from 40 days to 29 days. Democrats denounced the bill, calling it an effort to suppress voter turnout by minorities, older people and people with disabilities. House File 516

24/7 SOBRIETY: Lawmakers agreed to require drivers arrested or convicted of being impaired while behind the wheel in Iowa to participate in a twice-daily sobriety monitoring program. The legislation envisions a program similar to one in South Dakota and four other states that would require impaired-driving offenders to travel twice a day to a monitoring center for a breathalyzer test. . The proposed legislation would also expand Iowa's homicide-by-vehicle statute to say that a person's use of a hand-held mobile phone or other electronic communications device to write, send or read an electronic text message while driving a motor vehicle that causes a fatality will be considered evidence that they were operating in a reckless manner. The provision also applies to web browsing, use of social media and playing electronic games. Senate File 444

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING: Lawmakers approved a bill allowing police officers to stop drivers they suspect of texting while driving and issue $30 tickets. It's stricter than current law, which allows officers to issue tickets for texting only after drivers have been pulled over for some other offense, such as speeding or running a stop sign. But critics say they expect the law will be difficult to fully enforce. The bill allows drivers to still use cellphones for GPS purposes and to make phone calls. Senate File 234

ROLLBACKS FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: After exhaustive debates that included an all-night Senate floor session, the Republican majority approved a proposal to dramatically scale back a four-decades-old collective bargaining law that governs union contract negotiations for the state’s 184,000 public employees. No Democrats supported the bill. Under the legislation, most public-sector union contract negotiations will be limited to base wages. Unions will be banned from negotiating with their employers over issues such as health insurance, evaluation procedures, staff reduction and leaves of absence for political purposes. However, public safety workers such as police and firefighters will have a broader list of issues to be considered in contract talks. All unions will be barred from having union dues deducted from public employees' paychecks and unions will need to be recertified prior to every contract negotiation. The legislation also changes the arbitration process when contract talks reach an impasse. Currently, the union and management will make their best offers and an independent arbitrator will be required to choose the most reasonable of the two. The legislation requires an arbitrator to consider the employer's ability to finance any wage increase. It also puts a cap on how much an arbitrator can raise wages. The wage increase could not exceed whichever is lower: 3 percent, or a percent equal to the cost of living increase outlined in the consumer price index. House File 291

GUN RIGHTS: Rights of gun owners were expanded with an extensive list of changes in state laws. The legislation specifies that reasonable force, including deadly force, may be used even if an alternative course of action is available, if the alternative action entails a risk to life or safety, or the life or safety of a third party. In addition, the bill allows persons with permits to carry weapons to possess concealed handguns in the Iowa Capitol and strikes possible restrictions on firearms sales during an emergency. The bill also allows children to possess a pistol or revolver while under direct supervision of a parent or guardian who is at least 21 years old. Some other provisions will create a uniform permit to carry weapons and provide for five-year permits to acquire handguns rather than single-year permits. The bill also ensures permit-holder confidentiality, adds penalties for illegal sales and legalizes short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns. House File 517

20-WEEK ABORTION BAN: Most abortions in Iowa will be banned after 20 weeks under a bill supported by majority Republican lawmakers. The measure also establishes a three-day waiting period for women seeking any abortion. An abortion will be allowed after 20 weeks if doctors determine it's necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother. But it does not include exemptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, or for pregnancies in which a genetic anomaly makes life after birth impossible. The new three-day waiting period is among the strictest in the nation. Senate File 471

DEFUNDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD: The legislation, which was included in a budget bill, discontinues the Medicaid Iowa Family Planning Network Waiver, effective July 1, and replaces it with a state family planning services program. The new program will replicate eligibility requirements of the existing network, but funding could not be provided to any entity that performs abortions or maintains a facility where abortions are provided. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is Iowa's largest abortion provider, although no public money is used for abortions. According to the Iowa Legislative Services Agency, there were 12,219 people participating in the existing family planning program in December 2016. The new program is expected to have about the same annual funding level as the existing program — about $3.3 million. The program is considered to be a form of limited insurance coverage for low-income Iowans. House File 563

BAN ON BATHROOM CAMERAS: Lawmakers agreed to prohibit the use of video cameras in bathrooms and locker rooms in state and local government buildings.The measure prohibits the use of "monitoring devices," meaning a digital video and audio streaming or recording device, in a toilet, bath or shower facility, locker room, diaper changing area, and certain other spaces. The legislation was introduced after the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa asked the Iowa City Public Library to remove security cameras from its bathrooms over privacy concerns raised by a patron. Senate File 499

FIREWORKS: Iowans will be lighting fuses on firecrackers and bottle rockets for this year's Fourth of July celebrations under a hotly debated bill approved by lawmakers. The legislation ends a longstanding ban on retail fireworks sales in Iowa, making consumer fireworks available each year from June 1 through July 8, and again from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3. The legislation prohibits sales to minors, allows local governments to restrict fireworks use and provide fireworks safety education to the public. Senate File 489

ELIMINATING KIDS HEALTH CHECKOFF: Republicans agreed to eliminate a requirement that Iowans indicate on their state tax returns the presence or absence of health care coverage for their dependent children. They said the checkoff is no longer necessary on state tax forms because taxpayers are asked a similar question on their federal tax returns because of the federal Affordable Care Act. Democrats roundly criticized the bill, saying the only reason for removing the checkoff box from state tax form is because Republicans don't want Iowa children to receive health insurance to which they are entitled. House File 625

NIXING FAMILY HOUSING RULES: Iowa cities will be prohibited from enforcing regulations related to the occupancy of residential rental property based on family or nonfamily relationships of the occupants. Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to allow cities which already have housing regulations to continue enforcing them, saying they help regulate density and overcrowding, particularly in college towns. Supporters said the measure will protect private property rights and help reduce discrimination. House File 134

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A bill was approved that expands the definition of stalking to include the unauthorized placement of a global positioning device and provides tougher criminal penalties for repeated incidents of domestic violence. The measure also reduces the standard for prosecutors to bring stalking charges. Previously, an individual would have to fear bodily harm or death. Under the legislation, a "reasonable person" would, more generally, have to feel terrorized, frightened or threatened, or fear bodily harm or death. In addition, if an offender is convicted of a third or subsequent domestic abuse assault, they are required to serve at least one-fifth of the maximum term, establishing a 20 percent mandatory minimum sentence. House File 263

EQUIPMENT RENTAL THEFT: Lawmakers agreed to specifically include equipment rental property in the definition of theft. This legislation provides that theft occurs when a person obtains the temporary use of equipment rental property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property without consent, or lawfully obtains the temporary use of equipment rental property and fails to return the property by the agreed time with the intent to deprive the owner. Under current law, the penalty for theft ranges from a simple misdemeanor to a Class C felony depending on the value of the property and circumstances of the theft. Senate File 403

RIGHT TO TRY: Iowans facing terminal illness would have access to medicines that have passed Phase I of the Food and Drug Administration’s approval process but are not yet on pharmacy shelves under a bill approved by lawmakers. Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, proposed the legislation in response to a friend's battle with Huntington's disease, which causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. The bill is aimed at patients who are not eligible or are unable to get into clinical trials of drugs. In addition, an eligible patient's doctor must acknowledge the patient's illness is terminal and recommend the patient for an investigatory drug trial and receive the patient's written, informed consent. Senate File 404

CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE: Lawmakers agreed to tighten the state's controversial civil asset forfeiture law, which allows law enforcement officers to seize cash and property from people never charged with a crime. The intent is to protect property owners from having to prove their innocence when their property has been seized and is going through the forfeiture process. The measure says civil asset forfeiture for property valued at less than $5,000 will be prohibited unless the criminal charges resulted in a conviction. In addition, the bill increases the standard of proof required for asset forfeiture to "clear and convincing evidence" rather than a preponderance of evidence. Senate File 446

SCHOOL AID INCREASE: Legislators approved a 1.1 percent increase in funding to K-12 schools for the 2017-18 academic year. It raises per-pupil state aid by about $40 million. According to the state's nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, that equals an increase of about $73 for each student across the state. Legislators held a public hearing on the bill that drew concerned Iowans who flooded a meeting room at the Capitol and spilled into an overflow gallery in the rotunda. Nearly all of them called on legislators to increase funding to schools, citing growing pressure on teachers and parents to pay for supplies out of their own pockets and on administrators seeking to balance their budgets by cutting teachers and increasing class sizes. Senate File 166

ROAD FUND SWAP: State transportation officials will keep federal road and bridge money normally sent to Iowa's cities and counties and replace it with state dollars under a controversial bill backed by Republican lawmakers. The goal is to help local governments avoid federal paperwork and other requirements that drive up costs by an estimated 15 percent on city and county projects. Democrats contend the legislation will result in workers on some local road projects being paid lower wages by avoiding federal rules. They also said cities and counties won't be required to purchase American-made steel when building bridges and other structures. Republicans insisted that federal rules attached to the federal money will still have to be followed by the Iowa DOT as the money is spent on state highway projects. House File 203

RED LIGHT TURNS: Iowa's law governing turns against red lights will be expanded. Under current state law, traffic is allowed to make a right turn from the right lane of traffic against a red light, or from the left lane on a one-way street to the left-most lane of traffic on another one-way street. The bill changes the law to allow a right turn from another lane designated for right turns, or a left turn from another lane designated for left turns on another one-way street. The bill also strikes a requirement that traffic turning left against a red light on a one-way street must turn into the leftmost lane of the other one-way street. House File 372

LIMITS ON HOME DEFECTS LAWSUITS: Iowa homeowners will have less time to file lawsuits over hidden defects caused by contractors under a bill approved by lawmakers. Democrats characterized the changes to Iowa's "statute of repose" laws as anti-consumer, while Republicans argued the changes would reduce construction costs. A statute-of-repose establishes a time period after which a lawsuit based on negligence in an improvement can be filed, regardless of whether there was an injury to a person or property. The legislation changes the statute of repose from 15 years to 10 years for residential property and from 15 years to eight years for commercial property. Republicans said the changes bring Iowa into line with other states. Senate File 413

LIMITS ON LIVESTOCK LAWSUITS: Lawmakers agreed to limit lawsuit damages in cases filed by unhappy neighbors against livestock producers. The bill allows for an affirmative defense when an animal feeding operation is alleged to be a public or private nuisance or otherwise interfere with a person's enjoyment of life or property. The legislation suggests the public interest is served by preserving and encouraging responsible animal agricultural production. The affirmative defense could be raised regardless of the established date of operation or expansion of an animal feeding operation. The affirmative defense limits compensatory damages, as opposed to punitive damages, and specifies three categories of awards. Senate File 447

LIMITS ON ASBESTOS LAWSUITS: Legislation aimed at restricting asbestos-related liability lawsuits was approved by majority Republicans, despite heated complaints by Democrats the measure will hurt sick and dying Iowans. Democrats complained the measure reads almost identically to model legislation drafted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a national conservative organization. But Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, the Senate bill's floor manager, said he'd had no contact with the Virginia-based group, adding his goal is to avoid double-dipping by people who have already received an average of $600,000 in liability claims. The measure requires plaintiffs to meet deadlines within 90 days of filing an asbestos claim for disclosing certain information, including the disposition of each asbestos trust claim and a host of other information. The case may be dismissed for noncompliance. Senate File 376

LYME DISEASE: Iowa doctors would be exempt from certain disciplinary actions based on their treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Several lawmakers told personal stories of family members and others who have been unable to obtain adequate treatment for Lyme disease in Iowa, which has resulted in Iowans traveling to doctors in Minnesota and Missouri. The treatment could be provided after the physician informs the patient about other recognized treatment options and describes the doctor's education, experience and credentials regarding treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. House File 577

DRUNKEN TEACHERS: Teachers who are disciplined for being intoxicated at school must now be reported to Iowa's licensing agency, resolving a loophole exposed by a high-profile case in Ankeny. The bipartisan bill requires school districts to report any licensed employee disciplined for possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at school or school events. The loophole came to light in 2015 after The Des Moines Register reported that Jennifer Lynn Rich, an Ankeny teacher, was caught with Busch Light during a school Valentine's Day party. House File 217

WORKERS' COMPENSATION CUTS: Legislation was approved to reduce workers' compensation after a heated debate over the importance of Iowa's business climate versus the interests of injured workers. The bill will cut workers' compensation benefits, limit benefits, change the qualifications for benefits and reduce a key interest rate calculation, according to the Legislative Services Agency. House File 518

MINIMUM WAGE HIKES NULLIFIED: Republican lawmakers agreed to nullify minimum wage increases already approved in five counties. The action effectively freezes the state's minimum wage at $7.25 an hour, and Democrats angrily denounced the bill, saying it fails to support poor Iowans. Republicans said the legislation will provide Iowa employers with certainty, predictability and uniformity by assuring the same minimum wage statewide. The bill also prevents cities and counties from exercising local control on some other issues that Republican lawmakers contend conflict with state law, such as paid family leave, implementing a soft drink tax or banning the use of plastic bags. House File 295

AUTISM INSURANCE: Lawmakers agreed to require many employer-provided health insurance policies to include treatment of autism spectrum disorder for young people. The passage of the bill represents years of work by advocates for people with autism. The legislation will apply to employers of more than 50 full-time workers. It will require coverage of applied behavioral analysis for persons under age 19 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. House File 215

DEER RIFLES: Straight wall cartridge rifles will be permitted for Iowa deer hunting under a bill that received bipartisan support. These rifles are the same caliber and use the same straight-walled cartridges legal for use in handguns. The bill is intended to attract more people to hunting and to offer additional options for hunters while bolstering sales for gun retailers. Straight wall cartridge rifles have reduced recoil compared with larger shotguns and are more accurate than similar caliber handguns. The rifles will be permitted during the youth and disabled deer hunting seasons and for the first and second shotgun deer hunting seasons by licensed deer hunters. House File 475

LONGER STRAIGHT TRUCKS: Straight trucks on Iowa's roads can be 45 feet in length, 4 feet more than the current legal limit, lawmakers decided. A straight truck is one in which all axles are attached to a single frame. Iowa Department of Transportation officials said the legislation will not increase the legal weight of trucks. They noted that all of Iowa's surrounding states, except Nebraska, permit straight trucks at least 45 feet in length. House File 218

RESTRICTIONS ON PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS: This measure prevents state and local governments from mandating the use of project labor agreements for public construction projects. The legislation addresses concerns raised by nonunion contractors about project labor agreements, which are a collective bargaining arrangement with one or more labor unions for a construction project. Supporters of project labor agreements say they ensure that workers are paid fair wages and that construction work is completed on time and on budget. Nonunion contractors contend project labor agreements impede open, fair and competitive bidding in taxpayer-funded construction projects by requiring union construction workers. Senate File 438

JOINT CITY AND SCHOOL ELECTIONS: Iowa's city and school elections will be held on the same day under a bill approved by lawmakers, although critics said implementation will be difficult. The measure establishes school and city elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during odd-numbered years. Poor turnout in school elections has been a longstanding concern throughout Iowa. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, in the last four school elections, the voter turnout average was 6.5 percent. In contrast, the average voter turnout for city elections in that same time frame was 21.3 percent. The administration of the combined elections takes effect on July 1, 2019. House File 566

DEER TAGS: Lawmakers agreed to change the state's requirements for tagging deer carcasses. The legislation says a deer carcass may be moved away from an obstacle, entanglement, waterway, or another area, including a roadway, if it would be a safety hazard before the tag is attached to the carcass. However, the deer must be tagged as soon as possible after it is moved and before it is transported. House File 254

LEGISLATORS' HEALTH INSURANCE: Iowa lawmakers approved a bill to increase their own contributions for their personal health insurance premiums. A February report from the Register found that 92 of 149 Iowa legislators pay as little as $20 a month toward their heath insurance premiums, rather than the $142 to $334 a month that those plans call for. The legislation clarifies existing law to ensure employees of the state's legislative branch will pay 20 percent of their health care premium costs. According to the Legislative Services Agency, the changes are expected to save the state $235,000 during the 2018 budget year and $470,000 annually beginning in 2019. Senate File 230

BREAST DENSITY: A bill that some women say would have helped them detect their own breast cancer and enter treatment sooner was approved after years of opposition by medical groups that saw it as overly prescriptive. The legislation requires doctors to disclose to patients whether they have dense breast tissue that could make it more difficult to detect tumors through traditional mammograms. Lobbyists reached a compromise that is intended to be less prescriptive and allows medical groups to adapt more easily to new technology and information as it becomes available. Senate File 250

CMV: Lawmakers approved a measure that requires if a newborn baby has hearing loss that the baby be tested for congenital cytomegalovirus before the child is 21 days old. The testing requirement would not apply if a parent objects and provides a written refusal that would be provided to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Cytomegalovirus, known as CMV, is a common virus that affects people of all ages, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, CMV infection can cause serious health problems for people with weakened immune systems, as well as babies infected with the virus before they are born. Babies born with CMV can have brain, liver, spleen, lung and growth problems. Senate File 51

DES MOINES PENSION MERGER: The merger of a Des Moines school pension fund into the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System received legislative approval. The Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System, known as IPERS, is authorized by the Iowa Legislature, but not required, to accept the proposal to merge subject to agreement by both parties of the terms and conditions of the merger. Des Moines Public Schools currently has more than 5,000 employees and most are already members of the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System. The merger would transfer 448 active teachers and other employees now served by the Des Moines Teachers Retirement System into the IPERS program. House File 89

SUPER WEED: Palmer amaranth, a so-called "super weed" from southern states that has been invading Iowa farmland, was declared a noxious weed and eradication efforts were authorized by lawmakers. Palmer amaranth is a species of edible flowering plant that is aggressive and invasive, crowding out corn, soybeans, and other cash crops. The plant which can grow to 7-feet tall, has been found in at least 49 Iowa counties. House File 410