State Senator District 39
D
RSurveillance
Has centered digital privacy and opposition to government surveillance in her legislative work.
Said yes, Iowa needs a statewide ALPR framework; did not say what limits.
Campaign money
Energy & power plants
YES Voted yes on HF 639, a bill limiting hazardous liquid pipelines and restricting the use of eminent domain; it passed 27-22 on 2025-05-12.
newsIowa Ledger · May 12, 2025In a 2022 Gazette Q&A he said he does not support the CO2 pipeline and therefore does not support the use of eminent domain to install it.
newsThe Gazette · Nov. 7, 2022Property taxes & budget
YES Voted yes on SF 2472, a property tax reform bill capping local government levy growth at 2%; it passed the Senate 41-1 on 2026-05-03.
officialIowa Legislature · Oct. 18, 2026+1 moreHayes said he would work to lower property taxes and transition from an income tax to a consumption tax.
newsKCRG · Sept. 23, 2026Abortion
NO Voted no on HF 2788, a bill on abortion, including informed consent requirements and the dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs; it passed 30-11 on 2026-05-03.
newsIowa Ledger · May 3, 2026+1 moreIn a 2022 Gazette Q&A he said Iowa must first decide when life begins - at conception or a detectable heartbeat - and that the only exception to abortion restrictions should be for the life of the mother.
newsThe Gazette · Nov. 7, 2022Eminent domain
YES Voted yes on HF 639, a bill limiting hazardous liquid pipelines and restricting the use of eminent domain; it passed 27-22 on 2025-05-12.
newsIowa Ledger · May 12, 2025In a 2022 Gazette Q&A he said he does not support the CO2 pipeline and therefore does not support the use of eminent domain to install it.
newsThe Gazette · Nov. 7, 2022Schools & education
Campaign site says Bennett stands for combating climate change, raising the minimum wage and education for Iowa's youth.
campaignBennett for Senate · Oct. 17, 2026+7 moreIn a 2022 Gazette Q&A he said the funds citizens provide through taxes should pay for the schooling method - public, private or home school - that parents determine best serves their child.
newsThe Gazette · Nov. 7, 2022Data centers
Nothing on file.
Hayes said that on regulating data centers the state should ensure responsible implementation.
newsKCRG · Sept. 23, 2026Government efficiency & transparency
Sponsor or floor manager of SF 2210: relating to sexual abuse by fraud, concealment, or artifice regarding marital status, and providing penalties.
officialIowa Legislature (BillBook) · Oct. 19, 2026Nothing on file.
Mental health
Listed her 2016 priorities as world-class education funding, raising the minimum wage statewide, better access to mental health care, oversight of Iowa's Medicaid program, and action for clean water.
newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Oct. 16, 2016+1 moreNothing on file.
Health care
Listed her 2016 priorities as world-class education funding, raising the minimum wage statewide, better access to mental health care, oversight of Iowa's Medicaid program, and action for clean water.
newsThe Gazette (Cedar Rapids Community History Archive) · Oct. 16, 2016+4 moreNothing on file.
Jobs & economy
NO Voted no on SF 607, a bill cutting the unemployment insurance tax paid by employers; it passed 32-16 on 2025-05-14.
newsIowa Ledger · May 14, 2025+2 moreNothing on file.
Housing
Sponsor or floor manager of SF 357: establishing a neighborhood housing revitalization assistance program within the Iowa finance authority.
officialIowa Legislature (BillBook) · Oct. 19, 2026Nothing on file.
Water & environment
Campaign site says Bennett stands for combating climate change, raising the minimum wage and education for Iowa's youth.
campaignBennett for Senate · Oct. 17, 2026+2 moreNothing on file.
Guns
NO Voted no on SF 2263, a bill on the carrying, transportation, and possession of weapons; it passed 35-12 on 2026-02-24.
newsIowa Ledger · Feb. 24, 2026Nothing on file.