The Evans Edition: Addressing SNAP benefits verification

State Senator Lynn Evans

The sixth week of the legislative session officially kicked off the rush toward the first major legislative deadline. The initial “funnel” deadline is this week, making it imperative to advance any ideas intended for further consideration. This deadline brought a flurry of activity within various subcommittees and committees as we worked through the large number of proposals being considered in each chamber.

A busy week with subcommittee and committee meetings means we saw a lot of important proposals moving through the Senate this week. One of these important bills was SSB 3140, which addresses the verification of residency for SNAP benefits. Iowans understand the benefits of public assistance for neighbors facing poverty, disabilities, or old age, and this bill aims to protect those resources for the Iowans who need them the most. By requiring Iowa HHS to use the SAVE database to verify eligibility, the state will align with federal law and ensure public assistance is not diverted to people here illegally. It will also further protect our system from fraud and abuse, reduce SNAP error rates and avoid costly federal penalties.

In addition to residency verification, the legislature reviewed SSB 3163, which modifies higher education systems between community colleges and state universities. This bill implements a common course numbering system and replaces traditional remedial math and English classes with corequisite models by the 2028-2029 school year. It also updates career and technical education (CTE) standards to align with national frameworks in fields such as Agriculture, Information Systems, and Health Sciences. On Thursday it was also CTE Day on the Hill, where we got to hear more about this legislation and why it is important.

Another bill discussed this week was Senate Study Bill 3169, which addresses the verification of United States citizenship and immigration status of newly hired public employees as well as for individuals seeking a professional license. This bill would also apply to counties, cities and schools for newly hired employees. This last fall, it was nationwide news when the Des Moines Public Schools superintendent was arrested by ICE for illegally being in the country. After news broke and the days went on, we continually found out the lies and deceits he told the Des Moines community about his resume and his experience and the lack of diligence on the school district’s part. This is a common-sense solution to help ensure Iowa does not face an issue like this in the future and help protect Iowans from experiencing this sort of fraud when their tax dollars are paying those salaries.

Furthermore, SSB 3134 was discussed, which requires public buildings to fly the United States and Iowa flags at half-staff when directed by a Governor’s proclamation. Violations may be reported to the Attorney General, who may initiate an action in the name of the state to obtain compliance. Flying flags at half-staff is how we, as a nation and as a state, show respect and mourning when we face a disaster or tragedy. It is fair to ensure all public buildings follow the Governor’s proclamation when she feels it is most appropriate to pay our respects.

The week also featured STEM Day on the Hill, highlighting the state's commitment to education and preparing students for successful futures. Students from Alta-Aurelia Middle School and Storm Lake High School were in attendance to display their projects. It was a pleasure to meet with them. I was able to arrange a tour of the Capitol for them lead by my clerk (and wife) Midge. I truly enjoy it when constituents come to visit the Capitol.

As the first funnel deadline brings this burst of activity, it is clear the Senate’s focus is a blend of fiscal responsibility, common-sense solutions, and preparing Iowa for the future. From tightening the oversight of public assistance to modernizing the bridge between community colleges and universities, these measures reflect a commitment to effective and efficient government. In the coming weeks we will shift from the rapid introduction of new ideas to debate and refinement of the bills that survived.

Learning about water quality in Iowa

I serve on the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Water quality is an important issue to Iowans. On Monday, the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee heard from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Department of Natural Resources regarding their collective work with Iowa State University. Their presentation focused on the state’s ongoing efforts to improve water quality, a topic that remains a top concern for Iowa’s citizens.

The departments, in conjunction with Iowa State University and continued state and federal funding, have made incredible strides in conservation over the past few decades. Hundreds of millions of dollars of funding have helped Iowa achieve a number one national ranking in several conservation practices to help improve Iowa’s water quality. These efforts have included traditional soil conservation, like buffers and cover crops, and traditional water quality practices, like wetlands and groundwater protection. Cover crops help hold soil in place and prevent runoff while absorbing excess nitrogen after harvest and focusing on long-term soil health. In 2013, when the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy was started, there were less than 400K acres of cover crops being used. Now, there’s nearly four million acres.

Water quality wetlands are also part of the strategy. They are beneficial because they have a large treatment area, assist in flood mitigation, and can have up to 90% reduction in nitrogen levels. Bioreactors and other edge-of-field practices are also effective tools to control nitrate runoff. Urban conservation practices help slow down runoff, help flood reduction and help improve water quality. Since 2015, 138 of these projects have been used across the state. As we continue building on the programs and partnering with farmers and other entities, existing programs continue to serve Iowans well.

Our state has made great strides in water quality over the last decade. We believe it is important to continue working with farmers, who spend their lifetime working and investing in our land, to improve our state’s water quality. They are much more dedicated to ensuring the longevity of Iowa’s land and are working harder, smarter, and spending more time and resources every day to keep our soil on our land and improve our water quality than people know.

Email: lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov.