As Iowa lawmakers negotiate on the next fiscal year budget, one bill that awaits a Senate vote before it can head to Governor Kim Reynolds’ desk would increase criminal penalties for protest-related offenses, and would grant civil immunity to some drivers who strike and injure protestors.

District 39 Senator Kevin Kinney (D) says a floor vote could be called as soon as tomorrow for the bill, which among several provisions would increase the penalties of rioting and unlawful assembly, and would add obstructing streets, sidewalks, highways, and other public ways to the definition of disorderly conduct. Kinney says there are pros and cons to the legislation, but he is not ready to declare which way he’ll vote, “I’m not wanting to say at this time because I want to see what the Republicans will do with some of the amendments that I know that are coming and I do know the bill is changing. I’ve been told by some Senator colleagues that the bill is going to be different and what that means I don’t know yet because I haven’t seen the amendments or been told what they exactly are.”

Kinney adds he is also working on amendments to the bill. A fiscal note published by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency says the bill would disproportionately impact African Americans if current conviction trends continue. You can hear more from Kinney during today’s Halcyon House Washington Page on air and at kciiradio.com.