Regulating Mixed Martial Arts Contests
The House Labor Committee unanimously approved Senate File 2286 placing the regulation of amateur and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) matches and events under the authority of the labor commissioner. The labor commissioner already oversees boxing and wrestling matches.
The bill requires that a person shall not promote a mixed martial arts match without first obtaining a license from the labor commissioner. It requires the promoter of a mixed martial arts match be responsible for the conduct of all officials and participants. It allows the commissioner to suspend the license of a contestant if the contestant fails a pre-fight physical or cannot produce proof of being at least 18. The bill allows the license suspension of a promoter or contestant that violates the rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 90A.7. The bill requires the promoter to file a report within 20 days after the event. The report shall include number of tickets sold, amount of gross admission proceeds and other items the commissioner may require by rule.
The bill outlines when the commissioner may issue a cease and desist order against a promoter of a mixed martial arts match or event. It also provides a civil penalty for violating the rules of this Chapter.
Another Unfunded School Mandate
Another bill in the long list of ridiculous legislation this session is House File 823. Instead of talking about jobs and the budget, we're debating "green cleaning products." This bill passed with a vote of 52-47. I voted NO. The bill requires state and public education buildings to use green-clean building products except for certain pest control and disinfectant cleaning processes. The bill was amended by floor action to include Regents universities and community colleges.
The bill includes a provision to allow state and local educational facilities to opt out of the green-clean requirement if they do so by July 1, 2012. In my experience, anytime you have an opt out clause; there is something wrong with the legislation. For a school district to opt out, a majority of the school board must make an affirmative vote. HF 823 additionally provides that the Department of Administrative Services is required to provide green-clean information on its department internet site that can be accessed by the public. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget
House Study Bill 733 appropriates $35.9 million in General Fund monies and 1,621 full-time positions for the Fiscal Year 2011 to the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Department of Natural Resources. This is a decrease of $341,000 and an increase of 19.6 positions compared to net FY10 budget following the Governor's across the board reduction.
The bill also appropriates $76.2 million in other funds, mostly Fish & Game for $38.8 million and $33 million in Environmental First Funds (EFF). The bill omits funding for soil conservation cost share which in previous years was funded at the $7 million amount from the EFF. The majority party co-chairs claim funding for this will come from the infrastructure fund. The Governor recommended a $6 million cut to REAP (from $18 to $12 million), but the subcommittee decided to fund REAP at $15 million.
The bill eliminates both the DNR Law Enforcement Chief and the Assistant Bureau Chief that were recently hired by DNR. The bill extends a provision enacted last year that prohibits ISU from reducing other funding to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory if such a reduction is greater than what is imposed on all other ISU budget units. The bill includes session law language that declares the intent of the General Assembly is that any funds deposited into the REAP fund shall not be used for Honey Creek State Resort bond obligations.
Nearly $11 Billion in 2009 Tax Collections
Each year, the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) compiles data on tax collections and compliance statistics, and produces a report available to the public. http://www.iowa.gov/tax/educate/statreports.html#AnnRep.
In 2009, IDR processed more than 1.5 million individual income tax returns. Of those returns, 74% were filed electronically. According to the report, IDR collected a net total of $6.87 billion from taxpayers in 2009. This statistic is calculated after refunds were issued.
A net total of $3.1 billion was collected from income taxes as follows: 1) Individual Income Tax $2.82 billion, 2) Corporation Income Tax $ 253 million, and 3) Franchise Tax $28 million. In addition, Iowa taxpayers paid more than $2.88 billion in sales, use and motor vehicle use tax as follows: 1) Sales Tax $2.29 billion, 2) Use Tax $355 million, and 3) Motor Vehicle Use Tax (registration fees) $239 million.
A number of other taxes are levied to fund government activities. They include: 1) Consumption Tax (motor vehicle fuel tax, cigarette tax and tobacco tax): $678 million, 2) Inheritance Tax: $73.6 million, 3) Miscellaneous Tax (environmental protection charge, motor vehicle use 25% EPC deposit, real estate transfer tax, hazardous materials permit fees, insurance premium tax, motor vehicle title surcharge): $126 million.
In 2009, Iowa property owners paid more than $4 billion in property taxes to various local taxing authorities. The following taxing authorities and the total amount of taxes they levied are as follows: 1) K-12 Schools: $1.68 billion, 2) Counties: $874 million, 3) Cities: $1.2 billion, 4) Merged Area Schools: $86 million, 5) Hospitals: $80 million, 6) Assessors: $46 million, 7) Townships: $23.9 million, 8) Ag Extension: $15.4 million, and 9) Miscellaneous: $15 million.
How to Contact Me
I can be reached at jodi.tymeson@legis.state.ia.us, or by telephone at the Capitol 515-281-3221, directly to my desk in the House Chamber 515-281-7615, or at home 515-462-5081. Please send mail to my home at 1524 Highway 169, Winterset, IA 50273, or the State Capitol Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. I appreciate hearing from you.
The House Labor Committee unanimously approved Senate File 2286 placing the regulation of amateur and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) matches and events under the authority of the labor commissioner. The labor commissioner already oversees boxing and wrestling matches.
The bill requires that a person shall not promote a mixed martial arts match without first obtaining a license from the labor commissioner. It requires the promoter of a mixed martial arts match be responsible for the conduct of all officials and participants. It allows the commissioner to suspend the license of a contestant if the contestant fails a pre-fight physical or cannot produce proof of being at least 18. The bill allows the license suspension of a promoter or contestant that violates the rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 90A.7. The bill requires the promoter to file a report within 20 days after the event. The report shall include number of tickets sold, amount of gross admission proceeds and other items the commissioner may require by rule.
The bill outlines when the commissioner may issue a cease and desist order against a promoter of a mixed martial arts match or event. It also provides a civil penalty for violating the rules of this Chapter.
Another Unfunded School Mandate
Another bill in the long list of ridiculous legislation this session is House File 823. Instead of talking about jobs and the budget, we're debating "green cleaning products." This bill passed with a vote of 52-47. I voted NO. The bill requires state and public education buildings to use green-clean building products except for certain pest control and disinfectant cleaning processes. The bill was amended by floor action to include Regents universities and community colleges.
The bill includes a provision to allow state and local educational facilities to opt out of the green-clean requirement if they do so by July 1, 2012. In my experience, anytime you have an opt out clause; there is something wrong with the legislation. For a school district to opt out, a majority of the school board must make an affirmative vote. HF 823 additionally provides that the Department of Administrative Services is required to provide green-clean information on its department internet site that can be accessed by the public. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget
House Study Bill 733 appropriates $35.9 million in General Fund monies and 1,621 full-time positions for the Fiscal Year 2011 to the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Department of Natural Resources. This is a decrease of $341,000 and an increase of 19.6 positions compared to net FY10 budget following the Governor's across the board reduction.
The bill also appropriates $76.2 million in other funds, mostly Fish & Game for $38.8 million and $33 million in Environmental First Funds (EFF). The bill omits funding for soil conservation cost share which in previous years was funded at the $7 million amount from the EFF. The majority party co-chairs claim funding for this will come from the infrastructure fund. The Governor recommended a $6 million cut to REAP (from $18 to $12 million), but the subcommittee decided to fund REAP at $15 million.
The bill eliminates both the DNR Law Enforcement Chief and the Assistant Bureau Chief that were recently hired by DNR. The bill extends a provision enacted last year that prohibits ISU from reducing other funding to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory if such a reduction is greater than what is imposed on all other ISU budget units. The bill includes session law language that declares the intent of the General Assembly is that any funds deposited into the REAP fund shall not be used for Honey Creek State Resort bond obligations.
Nearly $11 Billion in 2009 Tax Collections
Each year, the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) compiles data on tax collections and compliance statistics, and produces a report available to the public. http://www.iowa.gov/tax/educate/statreports.html#AnnRep.
In 2009, IDR processed more than 1.5 million individual income tax returns. Of those returns, 74% were filed electronically. According to the report, IDR collected a net total of $6.87 billion from taxpayers in 2009. This statistic is calculated after refunds were issued.
A net total of $3.1 billion was collected from income taxes as follows: 1) Individual Income Tax $2.82 billion, 2) Corporation Income Tax $ 253 million, and 3) Franchise Tax $28 million. In addition, Iowa taxpayers paid more than $2.88 billion in sales, use and motor vehicle use tax as follows: 1) Sales Tax $2.29 billion, 2) Use Tax $355 million, and 3) Motor Vehicle Use Tax (registration fees) $239 million.
A number of other taxes are levied to fund government activities. They include: 1) Consumption Tax (motor vehicle fuel tax, cigarette tax and tobacco tax): $678 million, 2) Inheritance Tax: $73.6 million, 3) Miscellaneous Tax (environmental protection charge, motor vehicle use 25% EPC deposit, real estate transfer tax, hazardous materials permit fees, insurance premium tax, motor vehicle title surcharge): $126 million.
In 2009, Iowa property owners paid more than $4 billion in property taxes to various local taxing authorities. The following taxing authorities and the total amount of taxes they levied are as follows: 1) K-12 Schools: $1.68 billion, 2) Counties: $874 million, 3) Cities: $1.2 billion, 4) Merged Area Schools: $86 million, 5) Hospitals: $80 million, 6) Assessors: $46 million, 7) Townships: $23.9 million, 8) Ag Extension: $15.4 million, and 9) Miscellaneous: $15 million.
How to Contact Me
I can be reached at jodi.tymeson@legis.state.ia.us, or by telephone at the Capitol 515-281-3221, directly to my desk in the House Chamber 515-281-7615, or at home 515-462-5081. Please send mail to my home at 1524 Highway 169, Winterset, IA 50273, or the State Capitol Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. I appreciate hearing from you.
