Up Close & Personal

Representative Brian Best, 2021 House Transportation Chairman 4th term, District 12 (Glidden, Iowa)

1What is the role of the House Transportation Committee?

Transportation Committee oversees transportation policy issues for the state. Not just highway policy but laws that affect bicycles, trains, licenses for cars as well as trucks and semis. We also are involved in policy on roads and their usage and vehicle weight issues.

2What were some of committee’s primary goals in the 2021 legislative session? What were your biggest victories in the 2021 session?

Transportation Committee goals this year were to pass a hands-free law. We were able to get it out of committee but did not have enough votes for the floor. I am glad that we got the bill passed that allows the county Treasurers to collect $75 for CDL skills tests. Hopefully, this will encourage counties to offer these services. I am disappointed that we could not get enough votes to move the bill that would put a cap on liability for freight companies. That was a Commerce Committee Bill.

REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN BEST 2021 House Transportation Chairman

3As we look towards 2022, what is on the horizon for transportation initiatives/ priorities?

Next year I will take another shot at a hands-free bill. Liability cap bill I am sure will come up again and I will certainly support it.

4Iowa is a big trucking state, in this leadership position, what are some areas specific to trucking that you continue to focus on?

Our committee continues to work with DOT to move Iowa’s transportation system forward. I realize the importance of the trucking industry and have an open mind. I enjoy working with the IMTA and their lobbyists.

5Good roads and safe bridges are extremely important to the trucking industry, as the Transportation Chair, how are continuing to ensure that

Iowa’s infrastructure continues to be in the forefront?

The key is to maintain our roads and bridges as efficiently as possible. Modern infrastructure is a big key in Iowa’s and America’s economic future.

6Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in Glidden and graduated from GliddenRalston High School in 1978. I graduated from University of Northern Iowa in 1982 and lived in Kansas City, Des Moines, and Spencer until 1990. I was lucky to find employment in Carroll and in 1990 I moved back to Glidden. I am a credentialed Respiratory Therapist. My wife, Sharon and I own a Sleep Lab in Carroll, Western Iowa Sleep, so we are plenty busy. I ran for Iowa House in 2013 and was elected. I thoroughly enjoy my job as a State Representative, as well as the Chair of Transportation Committee. It is an honor to represent Western Iowa.

Senator Waylon Brown, 2021 Senate Transportation Chairman 3rd term, District 26 (Osage, Iowa)

1What is the role of the Senate Transportation committee?

The Senate Transportation Committee deals with all things transportation in Iowa - driver’s licenses, weight limits, railroads, bicycles, electric vehicles, vehicle registration, and so on. The goal is ensuring a reliable transportation system and infrastructure in the state for all who work, drive, or travel through the state.

2What were some of committee’s primary goals in the 2021 legislative session? What were your biggest victories in the 2021 session?

The Transportation Committee discussed several topics throughout the legislative session this year, including distracted driving, blue lights for emergency vehicles, and even “personal delivery devices,” allowing the use of robots for parcel delivery in Iowa.

3As we look towards 2022, what is on the horizon for transportation initiatives/ priorities?

Once the legislative session ends, one of the best parts of the off season is getting feedback from constituents and stakeholders about legislation from this year’s session or problems they are dealing with where legislation could help ease the burden of government. We will know more about what is ahead for us in the coming months as committee members hear from more constituents back home.

4Iowa is a big trucking state, in this leadership position, what are some areas specific to trucking that you continue to focus on?

A consistent goal for us in the Iowa Senate is passing legislation that makes Iowa a great place to live and work. Each of the committees is tasked with moving legislation to expand the workforce, bring more jobs to the state, and increase opportunities. Infrastructure is key to economic development and so is clear and reasonable policies established around the transportation infrastructure in Iowa. This goal is part of the Transportation Committee’s work each year.

5Good roads and safe bridges are extremely important to the trucking industry, as the Transportation Chair, how are continuing to ensure that

Iowa’s infrastructure continues to be in the forefront?

Each year the Transportation Committee deals with several issues like weight limits, updates for technology, and the issues I mentioned earlier, all coming to us from constituents across the state. The goal is to protect the infrastructure we have and improve it so commerce is easy to conduct, and people can have good careers and a high quality of life in Iowa.

6Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Outside of the Capitol I am the owner of my own construction business and a farmer. I am a former member of the Mitchell County SENATOR WAYLON BROWN 2021 Senate Transportation Chairman Farm Bureau Board and the St. Ansgar Planning and Zoning Board. I have two kids, and I ran for office because I wanted to make this state better for them and families like mine. As a farmer, small business owner, father, and husband, I know many of the struggles Iowans and their families are facing, and I ran for Iowa Senate to be part of the solution to solving those problems.