In each chamber all of the members of one political party are called a party caucus. One of the functions of the party caucus is to choose the leadership positions in the General Assembly. In the Senate, the party caucus with the majority of legislators chooses the Majority Leader, President of the Senate, President Pro Tempore, and Assistant Majority Leaders. In the House, the party caucus with the majority of legislators chooses the Speaker of the House, Speaker Pro Tempore, Majority Leader, and Assistant Majority Leaders. The caucus with the minority of legislators chooses the Minority Leader and Assistant Minority Leaders in both the House and the Senate.

What is a standing committee?

A standing committee is a group of legislators within the House or Senate designated to give consideration to bills on specific subject matters within their subject jurisdictions. The standing committees for each chamber with their subject jurisdictions are listed below. When a bill is assigned to a standing committee, the chair of that committee assigns a subcommittee made up of members from the standing committee to review the bill before the standing committee considers it.

The State Capitol in Des Moines

What are standing Appropriations Committees and subcommittees?

The standing Appropriations Committees of each chamber are the committees responsible for the state budget. Within each of the Appropriations Committees are a number of subcommittees that have subject matter jurisdiction over a specific part of the state budget. Unlike with other subcommittees, membership of the Appropriations Subcommittees is made up of legislators from the standing Appropriations Committees and legislators who are not members of the standing Appropriations Committees.

The Appropriations Subcommittees are:

A. Administration and Regulation
B. Agriculture and Natural Resources
C. Economic Development
D. Education
E. Health and Human Rights
F. Human Services
G. Justice System
H. Oversight and Communication
I. Transportation, Infrastructure and Capitals

Boards of Regents appropriations are considered primarily by the Education, Economic Development and Infrastructure appropriations subcommittees.

All other appropriations bills not falling within these subject matter jurisdictions are handled by the standing appropriations committees and not by these appropriations subcommittees. Examples of other appropriations bills that have an impact on the Board of Regents that do not go through these appropriations subcommittees are the Salary Bill and the Block Grant and Federal Funds Bill.

What is the difference between lobbyists and constituents?

The term "lobbyist" includes anyone who, for compensation, is directly attempting to encourage the passage, defeat, or modification of legislation. Lobbyists are required to register with the General Assembly and provide financial disclosure statements related to their compensation. By contrast, constituents who are contacting their legislators to express their personal opinion on a particular issue, and receive no compensation, are not lobbyists and do not need to register or provide any financial disclosure statements.

How is the Legislative schedule developed?

The Legislative schedule is developed by Legislature at the beginning of each Legislative Session. The schedule sets deadlines for legislative action and a timeline for the development and passage of legislation. It includes dates by which legislation must be at a certain point in the legislative process in order to remain eligible for consideration. These are called "funnel dates" or the "funnel" and exist to make the session more manageable.

Click here to see a typical schedule for a two-year General Assembly

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