SF 167 is a school funding bill that establishes the state's funding increase rates for the budget year beginning July 1, 2025, covering both general and specific categorical programs. It modifies provisions related to property tax replacement payments, which help offset local property taxes for schools. The bill also adjusts the regular program state cost per pupil, which is the base amount of state funding provided for each student. Finally, it modifies funding mechanisms for shared operational functions among school districts.
This bill prohibits courts from ordering parents in divorce proceedings to pay a "postsecondary education subsidy" for their children. A postsecondary education subsidy refers to financial support for educational expenses for children aged 18-22 attending career training, college, university, or community college. This means courts can no longer include requirements for college or vocational school financial support in new or pending divorce orders. The bill applies to divorce orders entered or pending on or after July 1, 2025. However, it specifically states that existing orders established before July 1, 2025, that already include such subsidies cannot be modified based on this new law.
This bill expands career education opportunities and recognition for Iowa students. It mandates new career planning and exploration curriculum for public school students in grades five through eight, designed to help them understand career pathways and prepare for future academic and career plans. For high school students, the bill directs the Department of Education to establish a list of industry-recognized credentials and create a corresponding seal. School districts would then report students who achieve these credentials and recognize them by adding the seal to their transcripts or providing a certificate.
House File 117 establishes the National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program, directly affecting members of the Iowa National Guard. This program provides scholarships to eligible Guard members pursuing specific educational programs at community colleges, state universities, or accredited private institutions. The scholarships are for programs leading to a "credential," such as a postsecondary certificate or competency-based qualification, but do not cover associate or higher degrees. The Adjutant General approves eligible educational programs and determines individual eligibility, with the College Student Aid Commission administering the scholarship payments, which cannot exceed the total program cost.
HF 579 adjusts funding limits for school districts providing programs for at-risk students, alternative school attendees, or returning dropouts. It sets a 2.5% cap on supplemental funding relative to a district's total regular program costs for fiscal years starting July 1, 2013, and later, with a historical adjustment for districts exceeding this cap before 2013. Starting in 2026, districts could exceed the 2.5% limit to 5% if approved by local voters through an election. The bill directly affects school districts receiving these specific supplemental funds, requiring voter approval for higher funding levels beyond 2025.
This bill defines "sex" in Iowa law as a person's biological sex observed or clinically verified at birth, based on reproductive systems, and specifies that "gender" is a synonym for "sex" rather than "gender identity." It requires birth certificates to designate sex based on this definition at birth and eliminates the ability to change a person's sex designation on their birth certificate. The bill clarifies that state
