BW INSIGHTS

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week Six Summary

By BrownWinick | 02.19.2021
As states across the country struggled with frigid temperatures that strained power grids, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a disaster emergency proclamation designed to protect Iowa’s heating fuel supply chain. On Monday, she temporarily suspended regulations limiting crew and driver hours of service for those hauling diesel, natural gas, propane,... Read More

Celebrating Black History Month 2021

By BrownWinick | 02.15.2021
As many are aware, the month of February serves as Black History Month. This annual celebration, also known as African American History Month, observes the achievements of African Americans and recognizes their central role in our country’s history. Since 1976, every United States president has officially designated the month of February as Black... Read More

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week Five Summary

By BrownWinick | 02.12.2021
House and Senate Republicans have reached an agreement on school funding, which the House passed Thursday. Under SF 269 K-12 funding would increase by 2.4% for the 2021-22 school year. That’s higher than the Senate’s proposed 2.2% and slightly lower than the 2.5% favored by Governor Kim Reynolds and House Republicans. It’s also a greater... Read More

The Era of Third-Party Administrators in the Life Insurance Industry

By BrownWinick | 02.12.2021
The TPA Model (“Model 90”) originally adopted in 1977, amended in 1991, 1999, 2001, and 2011 is the only regulation governing the use of third-party administrators, (“TPAs”) by insurance companies. Historically, health and workers compensation insurers utilized TPAs to assist in the administration of their policies. During the Great Recession,... Read More

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week Four Summary

By BrownWinick | 02.05.2021
This week the Senate began considering two far-reaching bills proposed by Governor Kim Reynolds that would address the affordable housing shortage and policing issues. SSB 1142 is aimed at increasing affordable housing stock largely through tax credits. The bill would establish a new $15 million low-income housing credit designed to match a... Read More

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week Three Summary

By BrownWinick | 01.29.2021
This week Republican lawmakers moved rapidly on two of Governor Kim Reynolds’ highest priorities, with Reynolds signing one of the bills this morning. SF 160 requires all schools to offer 100% in-person learning. Schools can continue offering additional online or hybrid options, and the waiver process for coronavirus outbreaks remains the same.... Read More

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week Two Summary

By BrownWinick | 01.22.2021
With the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, this was a short week for lawmakers. On Wednesday, Senate Education Committee Chair Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) introduced two of the governor’s priority education bills. SSB 1064 would require all public and private schools to offer 100% in-person instruction for students. Schools would also be... Read More

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week One Summary

By BrownWinick | 01.17.2021
The legislature convened for the 89th General Assembly Monday, welcoming 26 newly-elected lawmakers to the statehouse. With Republicans maintaining their majority in the Senate and expanding it in the House, the GOP will continue driving the state’s policy agenda for the next two years. In his opening remarks, House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New... Read More

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