Legislative Digest
Posted: Thursday, January 18, 2007
SCHOOL AGE -- A House subcommittee delved into legislation Wednesday that would raise Iowa's compulsory school attendance age from 16 to 18.
Backers of the bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, argue the change would help reduce Iowa's high school dropout rate. The state had about 1,100 dropouts in 2005-2006, according to education department figures.
Under current law, parents face criminal penalties if their children under 16 fail to attend school. The bill would require school attendance until age 18.
"We want to find ways to keep kids engaged in school," Heddens said.
But the idea met criticism.
Justin LaVan, a lawyer representing the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators, insisted the change would put more reporting burdens on home-school parents. Under current law, home-school parents are required to file periodic reports on student progress until their child turns 16.
Others contended the bill would only be effective if it's coupled with more resources for alternative high schools and other programs for at-risk students.
CYBER CRIME -- Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigation, or DCI, is asking lawmakers for more resources to shield children from Internet predators.
DCI director Stephen Bogle told the House Public Safety Committee Tuesday that his division's cyber crimes unit has snared at least 40 predators since 2004 by prowling the Internet for young victims. Instead, they found an undercover officer.
But the agency would like to beef up its effort, which also includes working with dozens of local law enforcement agencies. Right now, the DCI's cyber crimes unit runs on a federal grant, but the agency is asking the Legislature for $1 million to put additional agents on the case.
Bogle said in addition to smoking out predators the agency trains local officials to make educational presentations on the dangers of Internet crime. He said more than 11,000 Iowans have seen the presentation.
DNA DATABASE GROWS -- It's been two years since Iowa lawmakers voted to require all felons to submit DNA samples to law enforcement. That database is growing, but state officials say they need more dollars to clear a backlog of uncollected samples.
Stephen Bogle, director of the Division of Criminal Investigation, told lawmakers Tuesday that officials are making progress. A backlog list that once had 21,000 felons now has less than 10,000. He's confident the list will be cleared by 2008, if lawmakers provide additional funding.
One problem is DNA processing kits cost more than officials expected and, because the agency is processing cases faster, the DCI ran out of kits. The agency is also out of money to buy more and needs swift legislative action to get back in business.
WAGES AND LOANS -- The House Labor Committee is scheduled to take up a bill raising Iowa's minimum wage today at 2:30 p.m. Democratic leaders say they plan to debate the bill on the House floor sometime next week.
Also today the House Commerce Committee is scheduled to debate a bill capping interest rates on car title loans. Backers contend the bill would shield low-income borrowers from interest rates topping 250 percent in some cases.
TOUR OF DUTY -- Rep. Ray Zirkelbach, D-Monticello, will be in Iraq for six months longer than originally expected, so he will not be back in time to participate in this year's legislative session.
Zirkelbach serves with the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry, Iowa Army National Guard. His unit was one of those chosen for an extension in its stay in Iraq.
The extension had been announced previously. Iowa House leaders confirmed Wednesday that this means Zirkelbach will not return in March as had been expected. The legislative session is scheduled to end in late April and Zirkelbach will not be back until August.
Zirkelbach was elected to a second term two months ago. He missed all of the 2006 session because of his military service, only returning for a few weeks in the fall.
By Lee Des Moines Bureau Staff
Todd Dorman, bureau chief, can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or at todd.dorman@lee.net
Backers of the bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, argue the change would help reduce Iowa's high school dropout rate. The state had about 1,100 dropouts in 2005-2006, according to education department figures.
Under current law, parents face criminal penalties if their children under 16 fail to attend school. The bill would require school attendance until age 18.
"We want to find ways to keep kids engaged in school," Heddens said.
But the idea met criticism.
Justin LaVan, a lawyer representing the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators, insisted the change would put more reporting burdens on home-school parents. Under current law, home-school parents are required to file periodic reports on student progress until their child turns 16.
Others contended the bill would only be effective if it's coupled with more resources for alternative high schools and other programs for at-risk students.
CYBER CRIME -- Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigation, or DCI, is asking lawmakers for more resources to shield children from Internet predators.
DCI director Stephen Bogle told the House Public Safety Committee Tuesday that his division's cyber crimes unit has snared at least 40 predators since 2004 by prowling the Internet for young victims. Instead, they found an undercover officer.
But the agency would like to beef up its effort, which also includes working with dozens of local law enforcement agencies. Right now, the DCI's cyber crimes unit runs on a federal grant, but the agency is asking the Legislature for $1 million to put additional agents on the case.
Bogle said in addition to smoking out predators the agency trains local officials to make educational presentations on the dangers of Internet crime. He said more than 11,000 Iowans have seen the presentation.
DNA DATABASE GROWS -- It's been two years since Iowa lawmakers voted to require all felons to submit DNA samples to law enforcement. That database is growing, but state officials say they need more dollars to clear a backlog of uncollected samples.
Stephen Bogle, director of the Division of Criminal Investigation, told lawmakers Tuesday that officials are making progress. A backlog list that once had 21,000 felons now has less than 10,000. He's confident the list will be cleared by 2008, if lawmakers provide additional funding.
One problem is DNA processing kits cost more than officials expected and, because the agency is processing cases faster, the DCI ran out of kits. The agency is also out of money to buy more and needs swift legislative action to get back in business.
WAGES AND LOANS -- The House Labor Committee is scheduled to take up a bill raising Iowa's minimum wage today at 2:30 p.m. Democratic leaders say they plan to debate the bill on the House floor sometime next week.
Also today the House Commerce Committee is scheduled to debate a bill capping interest rates on car title loans. Backers contend the bill would shield low-income borrowers from interest rates topping 250 percent in some cases.
TOUR OF DUTY -- Rep. Ray Zirkelbach, D-Monticello, will be in Iraq for six months longer than originally expected, so he will not be back in time to participate in this year's legislative session.
Zirkelbach serves with the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry, Iowa Army National Guard. His unit was one of those chosen for an extension in its stay in Iraq.
The extension had been announced previously. Iowa House leaders confirmed Wednesday that this means Zirkelbach will not return in March as had been expected. The legislative session is scheduled to end in late April and Zirkelbach will not be back until August.
Zirkelbach was elected to a second term two months ago. He missed all of the 2006 session because of his military service, only returning for a few weeks in the fall.
By Lee Des Moines Bureau Staff
Todd Dorman, bureau chief, can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or at todd.dorman@lee.net
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