Sen. Amy Sinclair

Primary SF 61

In committee · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A bill for an act relating to robotics extracurricular activities, including requiring the department of education to provide technical assistance to school districts related to chartering career and technical student organizations related to robotics and authorizing high school athletic organizations to sponsor interscholastic contests related to robotics.

Maddy summarySF 61 requires Iowa's Department of Education to provide technical assistance to school districts for starting robotics-focused career and technical student organizations. It also authorizes high school athletic organizations (that receive school district funding) to sponsor or host robotics competitions. The bill specifically supports schools in creating robotics teams and competitions that align with federal career education standards. This directly affects public and nonpublic high schools, students participating in robotics, and athletic organizations seeking to expand their programs. The policy change focuses on enabling school-based robotics activities through existing educational and athletic structures.

EducationSupports EducationRequires DOE technical assistance for robotics student orgs and authorizes competitions, expanding career-focused extracurricular programs in schools.95% confidence TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly promotes robotics education in schools through career technical programs, advancing technology-focused student development and aligning with federal tech education standards.90% confidence

In committee Feb 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SF 200

In committee · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A bill for an act relating to the distribution of water exempt from taxation and the use of tax exemption certificates, and providing civil penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires water utilities in Iowa to accept and retain valid exemption certificates that allow certain water users to avoid sales or water service taxes. It directly affects water utilities and customers who possess these certificates, preventing utilities from forcing customers to seek tax refunds instead of applying the exemption directly. Utilities that refuse valid certificates must pay a civil penalty equal to the tax amount plus interest to the state revenue department. The bill also defines key terms and mandates the revenue department to create rules for implementation.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces tax exemption certificates, closing a loophole that prevented direct tax relief for water users, aligning with fiscal responsibility.85% confidence

In committee Feb 11, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SF 16

In committee · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the effective date of school district enlargements, reorganizations, changes in boundaries, and dissolutions, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

Maddy summarySF 16 modifies when school district boundary changes, enlargements, reorganizations, or dissolutions take effect. It sets the effective date as July 1 following the election if voter approval occurred before January 1, 2025, or July 1 of the next calendar year if approval was on or after that date. The bill also clarifies that territory from dissolved districts with fewer than 600 students may qualify for reduced property tax levies under specific conditions. This applies retroactively to January 1, 2025, affecting school districts undergoing these structural changes.

In committee Jan 30, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SF 18

In committee · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A bill for an act relating to excuse from jury service for persons at least seventy-five years of age.

Maddy summaryThis bill automatically exempts Iowans aged 75 or older from jury duty upon submitting written proof of age (such as a driver's license). Courts must excuse these individuals without further review if they provide documentation verifying their age. The exemption applies to all jury summonses for eligible seniors and removes the need for additional justification. The bill creates a straightforward, automatic process for this exemption, directly affecting residents aged 75+ who receive jury duty notices.

In committee Jan 22, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SF 2071

Signed into law · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A bill for an act relating to bingo games, including the price to play and the value of merchandise prizes. Effective date: 07/01/2024.

Signed into law May 1, 2024 0 co-sponsors

Primary SR 109

Passed · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A resolution recognizing and congratulating the Iowa State University Cyclones

Passed Apr 19, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SR 107

Passed · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A resolution honoring and congratulating the University of Iowa Hawkeye women’s wrestling team for winning the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Tournament.

Passed Apr 3, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SR 105

Passed · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A resolution honoring Caitlin Clark on her extraordinary achievements and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team and coaching staff for their outstanding performance.

Passed Mar 21, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SR 104

In committee · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A resolution supporting increased protections for America’s borders.

In committee Mar 11, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SF 2182

In committee · Iowa Senate · Lead sponsor

A bill for an act relating to rights of a parent or guardian including rights relating to medical care and education, and providing for a private cause of action.

In committee Feb 6, 2024 0 co-sponsors Track