Capitol Letters: The Alons Archive Week 11

Kevin Alons

ScottFairbairn

This week completes the 11th week of the 2025 legislative session – with 5 weeks until the planned end (and 1 week to the 2nd and final bill funnel date).  Both chambers were busy with committee work and floor debate, which in the senate also includes continued work on the confirmation process of governor appointments to a wide ranging list of committees, boards and commissions (which thankfully was abbreviated and reformed over the past couple of years).

One bill that I enthusiastically supported was SF 473, a bill that was introduced and floor managed by fellow senator Sandy Salmon.  This bill passed the senate this week and addresses an existing issue I have had reported to me, where the religious or moral beliefs of prospective foster parents or child foster providers disqualified them from even being considered in these critical roles for children in our state.  This bill ensures these selfless individuals, who are willing and perhaps the most qualified to bless children without a family support network, are eligible in this vital role – but does not alter specific child placements, which always consider the “best interests” of the individual child.

I have written in previous updates about SF 180, a bill which ensures that no Iowan is forced to take an emergency authorized use or PREP ACT countermeasure medical service against their will (and retain their employment, health care, etc).  I am very pleased to report that this bill passed the Senate this week and I believe will be taken up the House with a good chance of becoming law.  While there is more to do to ensure total medical freedom in the state of Iowa, this bill addresses the unconstitutional nature of what we experienced over the past 5 years and adds clarity to the fundamental rights of Iowa citizens.

The Iowa Health & Human Services (HHS) department has gone through multiple types of reforms (and was part of a broad, state-level reform) that I believe is headed in the right direct, under positive leadership in Director Garcia.  This week I was thrilled with the headline from federal HHS director, Robert F Kennedy Jr, that under his leadership the Fed HHS is undertaking MAJOR reform, eliminating 20K positions, but more importantly refocusing the entire agency on addressing the chronic health pandemic in our country, with a commitment to true science, transparency, and has a functional VAERS (vaccine injury tracking) system.

Cancer rates in Iowa are near the worst in our country (and rising!) which is very concerning.  This week a bill once again passed through the Iowa Senate that effectively prevents Iowa citizens from getting their day in court for injuries (like cancer) from these chemicals.  The argument is that unless the EPA recognizes a direct link between a chemical and cancer and requires a label for this risk, it must be assumed there is no potential link and a lawsuit is not possible.  I believe this is a clear violation of an individual’s constitutional rights, and I hope the Iowa House again rejects this bill.

Another bill passed the senate this week, SF 507, which is a ban on local government DEI ordinances, motions, resolutions, amendments or policies.  Perhaps these programs started with good intentions, but the simple reality is any program that establishes, compels, or gives preferential treatment or consideration based on the provisions of a DEI statement is inherently unfair and unconstitutional.  A recent Tucker Carlson interview with a senior female airline pilot, highlights the dangers of these types of policies, In light of recent close call and fatal airline events.  The interview also revisits the impact of the vaccine mandates which also affected the airline industry.

The CO2 pipeline project has been looming on the horizon of our state for the past several years, based on the very flawed concept of CO2 being dangerous, and a proposal to transport it via a pipeline from Iowa, through SD, to ND for “permanent storage” underground.  The House passed two exceptional bills, HF 943 – a bill equivalent to the SD emphatic denial of the use of eminent domain for carbon oxide pipelines, and HF 639 – a bill that proper defines that a CO2 pipeline is not a “common carrier”, the IUC must honor and respect the constitutional rights of Iowans affected by these legal proceedings and other common sense, and other legally appropriate and necessary clarifications.  With the rapidly approaching funnel deadline – it is imperative that senators hear from you that these bills be considered and advanced during this coming week.  Our constitutional rights must not be discarded in the name of private profit or inflation-inducing federal subsidies.

There are quite a few more bills that remain viable and worthy of discussion, but one bill stands out for what is offers to the children of our state and mental crisis we are seeing in our schools – HF 884.  This bill authorizes public/charter schools to employ a chaplain or engage volunteer chaplains in the school system.  This concept has shown remarkable results in Texas and other states that have adopted similar policies - and follows the precedence of the military, Congress, the private sector and other organizations – where an advocate for faith is visible and available.  I hope this bill will be considered by the Iowa Senate and advance through the next funnel.

I appreciate the opportunity to advocate for the rights of those in Senate District #7 – I will continue to fight for our constitutional rights and the future of our great state.