2022 Police Week - DC LEGISLATIVE DAY
By Josh Bell, President

After a two-year absence, The Iowa State Police Association was once again represented in Washington D.C. during Police Week.  It was great to be able to spend time with all of our State's Senators and Representatives along with their staff. Attendees included ISPA Past Presidents Zach Lewis and Steve Hanson, 2nd Vice President Judy Kellen and myself. 
 
This year we focused on discussing the below issues with the Senators and Representatives:
 

• The elimination of the Windfall Act that severely limits earned social security benefits. 
• Increased protections for law enforcement by passing the Back the Blue Act and Protect and Serve Act. 
• Ensuring equal opportunities to DOJ grants, which would allow small local departments (fewer than 200 Officers) direct access to grants such as training for Officer Safety, de-escalation, domestic response, body worn cameras, recruitment/retention, and mental health resources for Officers.
• The HELPS Retiree Improvement Act which would increase the amount of tax free dollars a retiree can take out their pension from the current $3,000 to $6,000 annually to be used towards health insurance premiums. 

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Iowa Legislative Report
Iowa State Police Association
89^th General Assembly, 2022 Session
End of Session Wrap Up: May 24, 2022
Fitzgerald, Smith & Associates, Lobbyists
 

The 2022 legislative session was scheduled to end on April 19^th but the policy and fiscal disagreements between the Governor, House and Senate did not allow that to happen. After a mini shutdown, sending legislators home while leadership negotiated, it looks like we’ve final come to an end. As I write this final update, the legislature is putting the final touches on agreed to legislation and budget bills that should allow the Sine Die resolution to be passed, ending the 2022 legislative session.  

CLICK HERE FOR FULL LEGISLATIVE REPORT

IOWA STATE POLICE ASSOCIATION SECRETARY/TREASURER
By Ryan Goecke, ISPA Secretary-Treasurer, Past President
 

On behalf of the Iowa State Police Association Board of Directors I would ask you to join us in welcoming David McFarland as the new ISPA Secretary-Treasurer.

McFarland, Local #12 Waterloo, served as the association president during the 2018-2019 term, hosting the 87^th Annual Conference in 2019. He is currently serving as the Active Police Officer Member of the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa (MFPRSI) Board of Trustees.

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