JIM'S LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS
Enhancing the Veterans Trust Fund
SF 321 (2021) – Carlin served as the floor manager on this bill, officially titled “relating to the investment and use of funds in the Veterans Trust Fund.” It was introduced on February 10, passed unanimously in the Iowa Senate (48–0) on March 10, 2021, and later became law effective July 1, 2022. This legislation likely updated investment strategies to improve returns for veterans’ benefits.
Protecting the Elderly in Nursing Homes
SF 2108 (2021–2022 session) Sponsored by Carlin, this bill proposed a nursing-home visitation shelter tax credit, designed to support facilities in creating sheltered spaces for safe visits with residents and allow businesses to offset the costs through tax credits.
Additionally, Carlin was active in exposing elder abuse at the Iowa Veterans’ Home and systemic mismanagement in the Veterans Trust Fund http://carlinforussenate.com. While not a formal piece of legislation, these oversight efforts reflect his focus on elder welfare.
Pro-Life Measures
Heartbeat bill (SF 359, 2018): Voted YES to prohibit most abortions after a detectable fetal heartbeat (~6 weeks)
20-week abortion ban (SF 471, 2017): Voted YES, making abortions illegal at 20 weeks, with limited exceptions.
Life-at-conception resolutions: Sponsored a joint resolution to amend the Iowa Constitution to define life at conception and prohibit abortion coverage through public funds.
Election Integrity & Voter ID
HF 516 / SF 166 (2017): Sponsored a voter-ID and citizenship verification law requiring photo ID and additional address proof; he voted YES
Senate File 413 (2021): Backed Republican-led measures to shorten early voting, tighten registration, limit drop-boxes, and move poll closing time to 8 pm.
Education & School Choice
Iowa Student Opportunity Act (SF 2206, 2020): Sponsored education savings accounts (ESAs) for students in low-performing ESSA schools.
School safety/security (SF 2253): Sponsored requirement for school districts to create safety plans
Gender curriculum & restroom bills (SF 2024 & SF 2025, 2022): Introduced bills to restrict gender-identity education in K-6 and mandate restroom/locker-room use based on biological sex.
Faculty political affiliation survey (SF 292, 2021): Sought to have Regents universities report the political affiliations of staff; kept in subcommittee
Government & Judicial Reform
Drugged driving & human trafficking bills (SF 2254): Sponsored legislation increasing penalties for trafficking minors.
Administrative burden reduction (HF 1 cosponsor): Supported measures to regularly review and sunset state programs.
Tax & Fiscal Policy
Property-tax relief measures (HF 250, HF 2266): Sponsored property tax relief and homestead credit adjustments for seniors and the disabled.
Crime & Death Penalty
Death penalty reintroduction: Sponsored bills aiming to reinstate capital punishment in Iowa
Illegal re-entry crime (SF 2340, 2024): Sponsored legislation criminalizing illegal re-entry into Iowa.
Health & Medical Freedom
Anti-COVID vaccine mandate resolutions: Proposed a constitutional amendment affirming Iowans’ medical freedom, tracking vaccine data.
Protections for ivermectin/hydroxychloroquine (SF 2031, 2022): Sponsored a bill prohibiting discipline for doctors prescribing these COVID treatments.
Protecting Youth
Bathroom/restroom bill (SF 2296): Sponsored barring access to multi-occupancy facilities inconsistent with biological sex.
Gender-affirming care ban for minors: While SF 538 (2023) was passed after his term, Carlin supported it