Capitol Digest: From kidnapping to catfishing

DES MOINES | A bill that would keep convicted kidnappers in prison longer made it through a House subcommittee Thursday.

Similar to a bill the House and Senate couldnt agree on last year, House Study Bill 31 adds where the victim is 15 years of age or younger to the states definition of second-degree kidnapping and makes those convicted of such an offense ineligible for sentence reductions. Its in response to a 2013 abduction and slaying of 15-year-old Kathlynn Shepard and her companion, Dezirea Hughes, who escaped. Their alleged kidnapper, Michael Klunder, apparently committed suicide.

Republican Reps. Chip Baltimore of Boone and Darrel Branhagen of Decorah signed the bill sending it to the full Judiciary Committee.

A bill making it an aggravated misdemeanor to install counterfeit air bags in a vehicle is headed to the House Judiciary Committee.

Chairman Ken Rizer, R-Marion, said the use and sale of Chinese-made counterfeit air bags by web-based retailers has become a problem, according to representatives of auto dealers associations that spoke at the subcommittee hearing.

A Senate bill banning the sale of alcohol in powdered or crystalline form moved, to the full Commerce Committee.

Powdered alcohol is not available for sale in Iowa and the Alcoholic Beverages Division is asking the Legislature to ban its sale.

Despite objections from attorneys groups, a House Judiciary subcommittee signed off on House Study Bill 35 to limit cities liability for damages incurred when sledding.

David Adelman, representing the Metropolitan Coalition of Iowa's 10 largest cities, said the risks cities face is too high based on previous lawsuits.

Iowa corrections director John Baldwin said he is hopeful a new state penitentiary in Fort Madison that has been plagued by construction delays will be able to open sometime this summer.

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Capitol Digest: From kidnapping to catfishing