With the 2025 Iowa legislative session extending past its scheduled May 2 adjournment, District 11 State Rep. Craig Williams (R-Manning) says key budget disagreements and a standoff over CO2 pipeline eminent domain issues in the Senate have left lawmakers in a holding pattern. With legislative activity limited until negotiations between GOP members are finished, Williams instead highlighted what he sees as essential bills that passed during the final regular week. Regarding childcare, he references House File (HF) 1020, which removes the income cap on child and dependent-care tax credits, and HF991, which changes the property classification for centers from commercial to residential, reducing their tax burden. Williams also showcased Senate File (SF) 513, which prevents courts from mandating divorced parents to pay for adult children’s postsecondary education. In his weekly letter to constituents, Williams also noted HF706, which strengthens government transparency laws, and HF1027, offering $1,000 tax credits for radon mitigation, a common health hazard found in Iowa homes. While he voted for the bill, Williams raised concerns about the lack of expense limitations in the radon bill. With the May 2 legislative deadline now passed, legislators’ per-diem expenses have ended, and legislative staff are no longer working.
