This bill provides state funding for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. The appropriations cover a wide range of educational services, including salaries for staff, career and technical education programs, early childhood initiatives like birth-to-age-three services and Head Start projects, and resources for student assessments and literacy monitoring. Specific funds are also allocated to expand work-based learning opportunities, support school food service programs, and assist high school students in taking college-level summer classes. Additionally, the legislation includes money for specialized support for infants and toddlers with medical needs and for implementing performance reporting systems for school districts.
HR 116 is a resolution that formally recognizes the 250th anniversary of the United States founding on July 4, 2026. It encourages residents, schools, and organizations in Iowa to participate in commemorative events and strengthens civics education to highlight principles like federalism and liberty. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding; it serves as a symbolic statement of appreciation for American history.
SF 2222 requires Iowa teacher training programs to increase clinical experience for future educators starting July 1, 2027. All students in these programs must complete at least 15 hours of practice focused on supporting students with disabilities and English learners, while those seeking English learner teaching endorsements need 40 hours of specialized training. The bill also mandates a new end-of-program assessment for each teaching specialty, with results reported to the state education department and published publicly starting in 2028. This directly affects all colleges offering teacher preparation programs and prospective teachers seeking licensure in Iowa.
SF 2293 removes the requirement for Iowa's Department of Administrative Services to maintain a historical resource research center in Iowa City. The bill amends state code to eliminate the mandate that previously required the department to operate research centers in both Des Moines and Iowa City. This change directly affects the department's administrative obligations and Iowa City's access to state historical resources. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment, as specified in its effective date provision.
HF 2485 updates Iowa's rules for remote motor vehicle sales. It allows dealers to use electronic titles (stored securely) and requires them to prove title ownership to the state, disclose vehicle location and title status to buyers, and store all records at a U.S. location tied to their business. Dealers must provide electronic records to the state within 24 hours of a request and use specific electronic signatures for odometer disclosures. The bill clarifies remote sales are not subject to door-to-door sales laws (Chapter 555A) and aligns with federal electronic signature standards.
HF 2539 repeals multiple existing higher education programs and administrative requirements in Iowa. It specifically eliminates the Regent’s Minority and Women Educators Enhancement Program, the College Bound program, laboratory schools, and related reporting obligations. The bill also modifies a reporting requirement for the college student aid commission regarding program implementation. These changes remove specific state-funded initiatives and streamline administrative processes for institutions governed by the state board of regents.
SF 2184 updates Iowa's licensing rules for medical doctors (both allopathic and osteopathic) and administrative medicine license holders. It requires licenses to expire on the licensee's birthday, limits renewal to every three years, caps continuing education at 15 hours annually, and mandates final license decisions within 45 days (or 75 days with notice of delays). The bill directly affects all physicians and administrative medicine licensees in Iowa by streamlining application processing and reducing recurring requirements. Key provisions include standardized license terms, simplified renewal rules, and clear timelines for board decisions.
HF 2491 waives all tuition and mandatory fees at Iowa's regents universities for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To qualify, veterans must apply for admission and have exhausted all other federal or state financial aid options, such as Pell Grants or VA education benefits. The waiver is prorated each semester to cover only the difference between other aid received and the actual tuition and fees charged. This policy directly affects eligible veterans seeking higher education at Iowa's public universities, ensuring they face no out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees after other aid is applied.
This bill (SF 2448) modifies Iowa's residential real estate rules to improve transparency for buyers, sellers, and homeowners. It requires homeowners' associations to provide certified payment status (showing if dues are paid or overdue, including future amounts) and limits fees for record access to actual production costs, with documentation required for fees. For home inspections, it shifts the obligation: sellers can now request free copies of inspection report sections related to buyer repair requests, and buyers must provide these sections or risk the seller canceling the contract without penalty. These changes directly affect homeowners' associations, real estate buyers, and sellers during property transactions.
HF 2527 would limit legal liability for businesses in agriculture, oil, or renewable fuels if sued over climate impacts from their greenhouse gas emissions. It blocks civil or criminal lawsuits claiming damage from emissions unless the business violated specific state emission rules or permits. Plaintiffs must prove clear evidence of direct harm from such violations, not just general climate effects. The law applies to all climate-related claims but does not create new legal rights to sue.
SF 140 amends Iowa law to regulate satellite absentee voting stations. It requires that if a station is located on school property, the election must include a school-related ballot measure (such as a bond, levy, or educational program vote). The bill also mandates that election officials remove or obscure any published materials showing candidate names or public measure details (other than the ballot itself) at these stations. These changes affect how absentee voting locations are set up and what materials voters see near polling areas.
HF 704 revises the structure and operations of Iowa's Propane Education and Research Council. It changes membership requirements to require eight voting members (representing retail propane marketers, wholesalers, and a health department representative), mandates geographic diversity in appointments, and shortens terms from three to two years with staggered appointments. The bill also updates how members are selected (directly by industry organizations instead of through the fire marshal) and modifies budget reporting and annual audit requirements. These changes directly affect propane industry representatives and the council's governance, but do not create new funding or programs.
