Iowa Senate Democrats

From the Desk of Senator Donahue

I hope that the start of summer has allowed everyone to get some relaxation time as well as the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. I have taken a bit of a hiatus to unwind and spend some time with family after session ended as well as the school year.

However, I have been staying apprised of all goings on in the district, the state, and the nation during my time off.

Now more than ever, people need to take the time for self-care with all the protests and bombardment of the national news. Don’t burn out! We have a long road ahead of us, and I will need your help in the near future to continue my fight against policy that the majority of Iowans are against in the Iowa Senate.

‘Tis the season for lots of activities in the district and around Iowa. I hope to see you at some of them. Below you will find some events coming up:

June birthdays: please help these folks celebrate their big day by wishing them a very happy birthday this month.

Krista	Dooley	Kenneth	Smith
Timothy	Wilbanks	Dennis	Svestka
Brenda	Saville	Stanley	Corum
Linda	McGivern	Susan	Schoen
Kristina	Berry	Brice	Ford
Bryan	Woldridge	Karen	Martino
Rickie	Paxton	Diane	Archer
Sheila	Smith	Tammy	Baily
Anita	Daniels	Judy	Warrington
Nancy	Mayberry	Kathryn	Heim
Ann	Eganhouse Busta	Thomas	Zimmer
William	Connolly	Jennifer	McCarty
Debra	Theisen	Penny	Wolff
Fredrick	Stroschein	Sheila	Matheson
Heather	Schmatt	Erma	Thompson
Barry	Reed	Karam	Orm
Brian	Gross	Stephanie	Kathmann
Ryan	Erhart	Barbara	Oberbroeckling
Alicia	Shook	Timika	Williams
David	Hemmes	Mary	Getty
Kathy	Olson	Herbert	Rasmussen
Martin	Moffat	Bruce	McCommis
Yarmah	Kollie	Joanne	Walderbach
Sharon	Reilly	Janet	Huff
Sean	Wedding	Ronald	Parker
Melissa	Weltz	Sally	Reck
Leslie	Etscheidt	David	Yaggi
Carol	Babbitt	Joel	Rosauer
Beverly	Greer	Mary	Trego
Kathleen	Smith	Traci	Dolphin
Scotta	Roling	Anne	Dergo
Walter	Hall	Diana	Mykris
Tracy	Hopkins	Angela	Green
Cyrill	Green	Raul	Barroso
Ronald	Kruse	Carolyn	Rogers

Signed & Vetoed: The Final Action of the 2025 Legislative Session

Earlier this year we talked about the steps through which a bill is proposed and run through the legislative process. This month we came to the end of that process as bills that passed the Legislature landed on the governor’s desk for her final action.

Through her signature or veto, the governor has the final say whether or not a bill becomes law – barring a veto override from the Legislature. This year, 177 bills passed both the Senate and the House, all of which either went into law with the governor’s signature or was defeated through the governor’s veto.

The governor acted on legislation throughout the session – signing her first bill of 2025 back in February. A full list of bills is available here, but here are a few of the headlines from the governor’s desk in these past few weeks.

Signed

A Deficit Budget
- As I’ve talked about in previous newsletters, the state budget is actually comprised of several pieces appropriating state funds to specific areas, like transportation, education, or Health and Human Services.
- The governor signed each individual appropriations bill, officially authorizing a budget for FY26 that will spend over $900 million more than the state will bring in, setting us on deficit spending path for at least the next five years.
- The governor did line-item veto one provision in the education system budget bill relating to a program at the University of Northern Iowa.
Opioid Settlement Funds
- The governor signed HF 1038, finally opening the door for Iowa’s opioid settlement dollars to get to the Iowans who need them most.
- This was an imperfect bill, but Iowans have waited years to get access to these critical funds. It was long past time to begin their distribution.
Expanded Cancer Healthcare Coverage for Firefighters
- The passage of HF 969 was one of the real highlights from this legislative session. The bill, signed into law by the governor on June 6, expands cancer healthcare coverage for Iowa’s firefighters.

Vetoed

Eminent Domain Bill
- The governor officially vetoed HF 639, which would have limited the use of eminent domain for the construction of carbon capture and hazardous liquid pipelines in Iowa.
- This issue divided the Senate Republican caucus and was at the core of our delayed finish to the legislative session. After years of obstruction and political maneuvering, we were finally able to give Iowa’s landowners a debate on this issue in the Senate and I am certain we will see the issue again in 2026.
- As you’ve likely heard, there have been calls from some for the Legislature to return for a special session to vote to override the governor’s veto. However, Senate Republican leadership has made it clear that the votes do not exist within their caucus to override the governor’s veto, making a special session highly unlikely.

Effective July 1, 2025

Did you know that most legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor does not become active and enforceable until a later date? The vast majority of bills signed by the governor in 2025 will become effective and enforceable on July 1. As that date is only a few days from now, I thought I’d share a few of the big changes coming your way. For a full list, you can click here and look for the effective date listed on each bill.

SF 418: Removing “gender identity” from Iowa Code
- The term “gender identity” will be struck from the Iowa Code, including as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
- This change opens the door for potential discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, education, credit, and more.

SF 146: Banning ticketing bots
- The use or creation of digital bots to purchase event tickets and limiting Iowans’ options will now be banned.
HF 889 and HF 248: Parental leave
- Under HF 889, all government employees will be entitled to expanded paid parental leave – four weeks for the birthing parents, one week for non-birthing parent.
- Under HF 248, private employers will be required to treat adoptive parents the same as biological parents with regards to benefits, including paid parental leave.
SF 303: Fireworks regulations
- This will prevent county boards of supervisors from prohibiting the use of fireworks on July 3, July 4, and December 31.
SF 22: Hands-free driving
- Under this change, Iowans who are caught using an electronic device while operating a vehicle can be found guilty of a simple misdemeanor and be forced to pay a fine of $100.

I’m Here to Help!

While the legislative session is over, the work of an elected official is never finished.

Throughout the year, even when we’re not in session, the most rewarding part of my job is helping you, my constituents. I take the responsibility of constituent service seriously, and that’s why I try to make myself as available as possible to help you solve problems and access services and resources through our state government.

Here are just a few of the things I can help constituents with:

Accessing Medicaid, Hawk-I, and other state-sponsored healthcare services
Connecting with veterans’ services
Navigating Iowa Workforce Development and other state offices
Obtaining a flag flown over the Iowa state Capitol
Capitol visits and dome tours
Class visits, Q+A sessions, and presentations on your state government

Helping constituents and ensuring prompt, meaningful responses from our state government is what I signed up for when I ran for office. Please feel free to reach out any time you need help with these items or with anything else. I’m at your service!

Quick Updates

Free Summer Meals for Kids: Many school districts and local organizations around the state are providing meal programs for Iowa kids during the summer months. You can use the USDA’s meal distribution site map to find one near you! You can also check your local school district’s webpage for more localized information.
New, Modernized Unemployment System: On June 3, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) launched its modernized unemployment insurance system on iowaworks.gov. The updated, single-site platform replaces the state’s decades-old system and allows Iowans to file claims, complete reemployment activities, and search for jobs all in one centralized location. For an overview of what has changed, answers to frequently asked questions, and video tutorials of the new interface, visit https://workforce.iowa.gov/ui-mod.
Long-Term Care Facility Support: The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is organizing virtual resident and family support groups for those in a long-term care facility and/or their family members. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman office is housed within Iowa’s state government and is charged with advocating on behalf of residents’ well-being. You can sign up to participate in the support group at this zoom registration link.
Iowa Measles Update: The confirmed number of measles cases in Iowa has risen to six following three newly confirmed cases in Eastern Iowa. The nationwide total has grown to 1,197 confirmed cases across thirty states. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) identifies that the best prevention for measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. If you or a family member has not had the vaccine, or are unsure if you have, you may want to contact your health provider.
Expanded Fireworks:Several cities this summer are updating their municipal code to allow fireworks on July 3 and 4, as well as New Year’s Eve due to changes in state code. Outside of those windows, police recommend recording illegal firework use when making complaints. Law enforcement generally has up to a year to write a citation, and video and witness testimony is invaluable to those investigations.
Apply to Join the Iowa Dyslexia Board: The Iowa Department of Education is looking for applicants to fill open positions on the Iowa Dyslexia Board. Selected applicants will be contacted with additional steps and information. Interested applicants may apply using the Iowa Dyslexia Board Application Form 2025. For more information about the Iowa Dyslexia Board, click here.
America’s State Parks 2025 Photo Contest: If you enjoy photography, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources invites you to enter your photos in the America’s State Parks 2025 Photo Contest, hosted by the National Association of State Park Directors. Photographers can showcase Iowa’s beauty while winning prizes and earning national recognition for photo entries! Learn more here.
Iowa Adventure Pass Returns: The Iowa Adventure Pass is relaunching thanks to the collaboration of libraries across the state and some of Iowa’s most fascinating destinations. Whether you’re planning a day at the Blank Park Zoo, touring the Science Center of Iowa, or discovering history at a local museum, the Iowa Adventure Pass makes it easy and affordable to try out a new destination. Reserve a pass online using your library card!
Veterans Day Parade: Mark your calendars now for the Veterans Day Parade at the Iowa State Fair on Monday, August 11th at 11:00 a.m. This year’s theme will be the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam Commemoration, which concludes nationally on Veterans Day. This parade honors our veterans of every background. To apply, click here.
Work-Based Learning Grants: Recently announced, $2.9 million in new grant awards for healthcare employers that will help boost the industry’s workforce across Iowa, particularly in high-demand jobs. The Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant seeks to support the healthcare workforce by funding work-based learning (WBL) programs that include an earn-and-learn component (a combination of education and on-the-job learning or training). The grants provide financial support for 14 projects focused on supporting a total of 399 workers in high-demand healthcare occupations, including:
- St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids ($200,593) – The grant will provide funding for the hospital’s new Career Pathways Program to address the systemic shortage of qualified healthcare professionals in the Registered Nursing (RN) field. Currently, St. Luke’s RN vacancy rate is 22.5%. A total of nine participants, in two cohorts will obtain their RN educations. The participants are provided with hands-on guidance to complete their education and keep their current compensation and benefits while completing coursework and on-the-job training.