Logan’s Law sails through Iowa Senate, House up next

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Watching the vote on the Senate floor, for Wendy Luft, was a little bit like watching a ball game.

“My heart was just pounding,” she said. “At first, we just wanted a majority, then as more and more votes were coming in, we started hoping it would be unanimous.”

Unanimous it was. The Iowa Senate voted 47-0 Wednesday in favor of “Logan’s Law,” a bill that would let Iowans put a symbol on their hunting and fishing licenses indicating they wish to be an organ donor.

It’s named for Logan Luft, a 15-year-old from Charles City who died in an ATV accident.

Logan’s parents, Lenny and Wendy Luft, were on the floor with Sen. Waylon Brown, R-Saint Ansgar, as the Senate voted. The Luft children, extended family and friends — including a couple of Logan’s school buddies — were watching from the gallery.

“There was definitely a feeling of excitement and of relief, and then to be able to look up into the gallery and see the family — that was a highly emotional event,” said Brown, the bill’s sponsor in the Senate. “That was definitely the most emotional thing I’ve ever ran on the floor, because of the personal impact it had.”

Brown spoke on the Senate floor before the vote, saying that because Logan had expressed interest in organ donation while he was alive, he ultimately gave the gift of life to others. He then shared Logan’s story, and talked about the lives that were saved with Logan’s organs.

“A 16-year-old girl received a liver. A 53-year-old woman received a pancreas,” Brown told the Senate. “A 5-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man each received a kidney. And Logan’s heart? Logan’s heart beats in a 9-year-old girl in Kentucky.”

What happened next came as a surprise to the Lufts. Other senators began to share their own personal stories.

Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, shared a story of her daughter, who died last summer and donated five of her organs. Sen. Craig Johnson, R-Independence, talked about his 61-year-old uncle who died of a massive heart attack just before Christmas. Johnson’s family made the decision to donate his organs, as well.

“I did not expect that,” Wendy Luft said. “We were prepared for anything, and they said the nicest things, and were so supportive. It was quite a day. We were beyond thrilled.”

Brown said he was pleased with the reaction from the Senate, and the unanimous vote.

“It felt good, knowing that as a united body we did something that is going to have an impact, not only for the Luft family, but for the entire state,” he said. “I was honored to be there to help them move this forward.”

He mentioned what a good experience it was for the Luft children, watching from the gallery.

“They saw it first hand, now they can go back to school and say, ‘yeah, I’ve seen this, this is how it works,’” he said. “It’s good for everybody.”

Brown said he is optimistic the bill will find its way to the House floor.

Rep. Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, said the unanimous vote in the Senate helped.

“That sends a strong message to the House that the bill should pass, so I’m excited,” said Prichard, the bill’s House sponsor. “It was really a good day. It was a moving day.”

Prichard said the bill moved to a House subcommittee on Thursday. He explained that one of the committee members wants to make sure the bill is practical in its implementation, and he believes it’s moving in the right direction, toward final passage.

“Part of the process is people making sure the legislation is workable for all involved. I would hope it would be three or four weeks and we could have a House vote,” Prichard said. “There may be an amendment, which is fine, so I’m hoping three to five weeks and we can get this to the governor.”

Prichard said he thinks Gov. Kim Reynolds will sign the bill if it gets to her desk.

“I have indications that the governor is supportive of organ donation,” Prichard said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if this is something she would support.”

Wendy Luft also thinks the governor will support the bill — because the governor told her so when the two spoke on Wednesday.

“She was great. She had a busy day but still spent a lot of time with us,” Luft said. “She visited with all of my family and was very gracious to everyone. She told me she supports the bill and can’t wait to sign it.”

Like Brown, Prichard said that Wednesday was one of the most memorable days he’s had as an elected official.

“For me, knowing Logan and the type of young man he was, it was so gratifying to see the Senate unanimously support this bill,” Prichard said. “It’s probably one of highlights of my days in the Legislature, to be a part of what happened Wednesday in the Senate. I’m really looking forward to getting it across the finish line in the House.”

Luft said that the process has been rewarding, and she urged others to get involved.

“If you have a desire to make change, don’t be afraid to contact your legislators,” she said. “They’re people, too, and they listen. They get overwhelmed sometimes, and they make a lot of difficult decisions, but they want to see change made, too.”