The 2020 Iowa General Assembly is off and running, and based on first impressions it’s been more of a sprint than a jog so far.

State Senator Jake Chapman, (R) District 10, says it’s rare that proposed legislation is ready for floor debate in the first three weeks of a session, but that’s exactly what’s taken place this year. “This is my eighth year being there, and I can say I think it’s probably the busiest beginning to a legislative session I’ve been a part of. So a lot of activity is going on, I think everyone feels the sense of needing to get to work right away. We’ve been doing mostly subcommittee work, but a little bit of regular committee work as well. So things are starting to move along, I think, real nicely for this session.”

Chapman says he is unsure of the exact reason for the fast start, other than a general sense of excitement lawmakers have for their individual priorities. A few notable fast-moving pieces of legislation include a constitutional amendment restricting the right to an abortion, felon voting rights restoration, and the state supplemental aid funding for schools. Chapman adds, in spite of this being an election year, he doesn’t think representatives will shy away from pushing forward more controversial bills, which has often been the case in years past.

Don’t forget to tune in for updates on the legislative session each Monday on the Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.