The Iowa House has passed a pro-policing bill with new measures Republicans say are designed to protect police officers.
"Law enforcement officers cannot be prohibited from carrying their firearm while on duty," said Representative Jarad Klein (R-Washington). "We criminalize assaulting a police officer with lasers, that are many times blinding our brave men and women."
Senate File 342 would also strengthen "qualified immunity" provisions within state law, making it more difficult for officers to be sued for misconduct.
"We're not saying we want to protect bad officers," Klein said. "What we want to do is make sure that our law enforcement officers who are acting within the law, they are protected from lawsuits."
The bill makes rioting a felony instead of a misdemeanor, increasing penalties for blocking highways and roads, and destroying public property. It also provides motorists who hit protestors while driving some protection in certain circumstances.
Some Democrats in the House argued this bill would make it harder to hold "bad cops" accountable, while also limiting the first amendment rights of Iowans.
"Even if an officer uses clearly excessive force, in violation of departmental policy, they're immune just because there hasn't yet been a court case deciding that this exact conduct violates the law," said Representative Christina Bohannon (D-Johnson).
"This bill is likely to chill first amendment rights of free speech and assembly," Bohannon said. "It subjects young people and others to serious harm."
The bill passed the House 63-30 with seven Democrats joining all Republicans on the floor in support, with two Republicans joining the remaining Democrats voting against the bill. It now heads to the Iowa Senate, then the desk of Governor Kim Reynolds if it passes.