Gov. Kim Reynolds | Photo Courtesy of Governor's Office
Gov. Kim Reynolds | Photo Courtesy of Governor's Office
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) recently completed the 2021 legislative session after leaving a conservative touch on new laws that she set forward.
The Iowa legislative session ended three weeks later than expected on May 19, concluding a session marked by conservative reforms on taxes, voting, policing, charter schools, COVID-19 and guns.
Iowa election day voting hours will be shortened by one hour at the request of “multiple county auditors” who said they need more time to accurately tally and process votes on the evening of Election Day, according to Rep. Henry Stone (R-Forest City) and reported by KAAL TV. The new election laws will also shorten the early voting period by nine days and ensure that only votes received on or before Election Day will count. The governor also signed a measure that will monitor voting rolls more closely.
The Omaha World Herald also reported Reynolds also signed criminal justice reforms that would make rioting a felony and give police officers increased immunity from prosecution.
Reynolds signed a bill into law that will allow Iowans to conceal a firearm without obtaining a permit from the state, adding Iowa to a list of 17 states not requiring a concealed-carry permit, the Associated Press reports.
The tax reform bill passed and signed this session will phase out the state’s inheritance tax, accelerate the implementation of income tax breaks and reduce the spending burden of Iowa counties.
Reynolds also signed legislation making Iowa’s educational system more friendly to charter schools, which will now be able to acquire greater state funding.
Together with the Legislature, Reynolds substantially rolled back COVID-19 restrictions this session, mandating that Iowa schools offer a 100% in-person option and restricting local governments and officials from instituting mask mandates. The governor also signed a bill banning vaccine passports, or state documentation providing proof of an individual’s vaccination.
Although many of Reynold's ideas passed easily, some bills failed, such as placing a cap on insulin at $100 and a ban on texting while driving.
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