District 11 Rep. Craig Williams (R-Manning) says the Iowa Legislature is making progress on several issues with the end of the 2025 session approaching. However, much work remains on the state budget and property tax reform. Williams says the week’s highlights included lawmakers advancing House File (HF) 165, which requires Iowa high school students to pass a civics test to graduate, similar to the one immigrants take to become U.S. citizens. Williams supports the measure, calling it essential to restoring civic responsibility and patriotism. The House also passed HF1000, a bill establishing a grant program for veterans’ service organizations, and HF989, which provides clear guidelines for on-farm anaerobic digesters to convert organic waste into energy. A wide-ranging disaster relief bill (HF1012/SF619) passed nearly unanimously, giving Iowa quicker access to emergency funds and expanding support programs for disaster recovery. Williams also supported legislation on fetal development education (HF391), expanded medical cannabidiol access (HF990), and a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR9/SJR9) to protect child abuse victims during courtroom testimony. Williams is scheduled to join District 6 Senator Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in the Cretsinger Building in Coon Rapids for the final Carroll Chamber of Commerce/Carroll County Growth Partnership (CCGP) Legislative Forum of the 2025 session.
