While per diem funding ends for Iowa lawmakers today, they’re expected to go into overtime with budgets and other bills still on the chamber floors.

The legislative session looks more normal than last year’s, which was paused by COVID-19 in mid-March and resumed in June, but District 39 State Senator Kevin Kinney says his chamber has relied much more on meeting virtually this year for subcommittee and other meetings, with participation sometimes coming from home. Kinney says to some extent he looks forward to proceedings going back to normal post pandemic, “But there have been good things that have come out of COVID. I do like the ability for the general public to be able to speak and give their opinions during the subcommittees, where a lot of times these subcommittee meetings will only last 30 minutes to an hour and people have to drive from all points in Iowa to the capitol just to be able to voice their opinion.”

Kinney mentions it’s highly doubtful that the legislature would adjourn this week as they pass their 110th calendar day of the session. Some priorities for him remaining this session include bills that would increase the penalty for those who attempt to hide a death, crack down on financial exploitation of Iowans 65 years and older, and increase state funding for crime victim services.