With the start of a new Iowa Legislative session comes several bills that one lawmaker would like to see come to fruition.

District 24 Senator Jesse Green of Harcourt has three bills he is working to pass through this year, including the bottle bill, legislation about bailing ditches and calling for a convention of the states. Green says last year there were multiple bills to reform how the state redeems bottles and cans, with millions of dollars of unredeemed nickels being unaccounted for. He is hoping to change the over 40 year old bill to create better transparency.

As for bailing highway ditches, Green points out the current law allows for farmers to apply for a permit to mow and bail ditches along state highways after July 1st. However, Green notes there are safety issues with deer hiding in the taller grass and causing crashes with unsuspecting motorists.

“So what I would like to do is eliminate that date requirement. Still apply for a permit through the state, but let the farmer bail the ditch whenever he sees convenient. I truly believe that it’s going to save money, the insurance companies are going to be happy, but it might even save a couple of lives.”   

Finally, Green says he will advocate for a resolution to be passed calling for a convention of the states. He explains the purpose of having a convention is to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution and hold the federal government more accountable.

“This is one thing the state of Iowa can do to say, ‘Enough is enough. We want to have a balanced budget amendment, we want to have term limits, we want to restrain the power of the federal government.’”

Green adds a total of 34 states need to pass similar resolutions to hold a convention and 14 states have passed a resolution so far.