A glance at statehouse business next week is included, too.
Since lawmakers convened in Des Moines Jan. 8 they have passed one bill through the Iowa Legislature: water quality.
Senate File 512 passed the Republican-led House of Representatives 59-41 Tuesday in a vote that occurred largely along party lines. Only four Democrats voted in favor of it (Bruce Bearinger of Oelwein, Helen Miller of Fort Dodge, Scott Ourth of Ackworth, Todd Prichard of Charles City) and four Republicans cast votes against (Chip Baltimore of Boone, Mary Ann Hanusa of Council Bluffs, Jake Highfill of Johnston, Guy Vander Linden of Oskaloosa).
GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds said she would sign the bill — which was approved last year in the Senate — but has not set a signing date.
Here's how your lawmakers voted:
Senate (voted April 19, 2017)
Tom Greene, R-Burlington - Yes
Rich Taylor, D-Mount Pleasant - No
House
Dennis Cohoon, D-Burlington - No
Dave Heaton, R-Mount Pleasant - Yes
Jerry Kearns, D-Keokuk - No
Dave Kerr, R-Morning Sun - Yes
Other bills introduced last week include:
Senate File 2088
Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, introduced legislation Wednesday to create Retirement Savings Iowa, a state-managed retirement fund for private sector employees whose employers do not offer a retirement plan.
House File 2067
Rep. Mary Lynn Wolfe, D-Clinton, is leading a bill to lessen the punishment for possession of marijuana from possible jail time to a fine of no more than $625.
Senate File 2086
Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, introduced a bill Tuesday to allow valid permit holders to carry firearms on school grounds, but not inside school facilities.
Senate File 2091
Chelgren also introduced legislation last week to establish an education savings grant program for students who attend non-public schools to use for educational expenses.
Instead of debating bills in the House and Senate, lawmakers have spent most of their time so far in committee and caucus meetings. On Thursday, a $52 million de-appropriation bill for fiscal year 2018 passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee. The full Senate is expected to debate it next week, while the House has yet to release its proposal.