DES MOINES, IOWA (December 20, 2023) — The Iowa Restaurant Association has announced their priorities for the 2024 Iowa Legislative Session. The Association, which advocates on behalf of the state’s 6,000+ restaurants and bars, intends to weigh in on a wide range of topics, from education and recognition of credentials to highly-allocated alcohol and THC drinks.
2024 state legislative priorities include:
- Seeking ways to restrict credit-card fees on state sales tax;
- Simplifying the purchase of highly-allocated wine and spirits for restaurants and bars
- Expanding the responsible alcohol service-training class options which meet the affirmative defense standard;
- Elimination of the Fourth-Tier status of restaurants and bars in spirits sales; and
- Creation of a work drive permit for fourteen-and-a-half and fifteen-year-olds.
Additional statewide priorities include:
- Assisting small school districts seeking the option to leverage ProStart Culinary and Restaurant Management curriculum to meet their CTSO requirement;
- Participation in conversations, rules, or guidelines introduced relating to THC drinks/infused syrups in relation to restaurants and bars;
- Codifying rules of engagement for music-licensing companies;
- Qualifications for the concept of Entertainment District Taxes; and
- Opposing Peace Officer Status for Iowa ABD inspectors.
“While we are still recovering from the on-going challenges caused by the pandemic, supply-chain issues, cost-increases, and workforce-shortages, our legislative agenda is focused on the future,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association. “We look forward to partnering with other industries on many of our top priorities.”
Iowa Restaurant Association
Founded in 1938, the Iowa Restaurant Association is one of the state’s longest-standing professional-trade associations. The organization works to protect, promote, educate, and advocate on behalf of Iowa’s hospitality industry.
