The telcom property tax reform issue continues to be complex.
The Iowa House will likely roll the language in HSB 223 for telcom property tax reform into a comprehensive property tax reform bill. They will do that because they believe attempting to force the overall property tax issue into a Conference Committee is their best strategy and this portion needs to be a part of that discussion. The Senate has also introduced a bill aimed at competitive relief for local exchange carriers. SSB 1202 subcommittee chair Sen. Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque) has indicated she wants to hold another subcommittee meeting on this bill.
On the E911 issue – both bills in the Senate and House have made progress. The House bill HF 510 was officially assigned to a subcommittee on Thursday. This legislation would equalize the surcharge at $1 and eliminating the alternative surcharge referendums — very important competitive equity issues for local exchange carriers. The bill also features reporting requirements for local Public Safety Answering Points to make data available for future policy making.
