Education

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2025

HF 274: A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions.

HF 274 repeals Iowa Code section 728.7, which currently protects public libraries and accredited schools from obscenity laws when using educational materials or allowing minors to attend art exhibitions. This bill removes a legal exemption that previously shielded these institutions from prosecution under Iowa's obscenity statutes (Chapter 728) for displaying or providing materials deemed inappropriate for minors. The change would mean libraries and schools could potentially face obscenity charges for materials previously covered under this exemption. The bill directly affects public libraries, schools, and educational programs in Iowa that serve minors.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves legal exemption shielding schools/libraries from obscenity charges, restricting access to educational materials and academic freedom.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 27, 2025

HF 221: A bill for an act relating to the issuance of bonds by school districts by limiting the amount offered for sale.

HF 221 limits school districts' bond issuances for capital projects approved after July 1, 2025, to 80% of the project's total cost. This means districts must cover the remaining 20% of project expenses through non-bond funding sources, such as existing reserves or other revenue streams. The bill directly affects school districts planning new construction or major improvements, requiring them to secure alternative funding for a portion of project costs rather than relying solely on bond sales. It applies specifically to projects where voter approval occurs after the specified date.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts school districts' bond usage for capital projects to 80%, requiring non-bond funding, limiting financing flexibility for school infrastructure improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SF 453: A bill for an act relating to school district and area education agency funding and education savings accounts, and including applicability provisions.

SF 453 changes transportation reimbursement rules for students at nonpublic schools: school districts no longer must pay for transportation if parents use education savings accounts (section 257.11B) to cover school costs. It also adjusts funding for area education agencies based on enrollment of nonpublic school students who do not use these accounts, requiring agencies to provide comparable services or face potential budget reductions. The bill affects public school districts, nonpublic schools, and area education agencies by altering reimbursement eligibility and funding calculations. These changes apply to school budget years beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill redirects public school funds to private education via ESA program, eliminating transportation reimbursements for nonpublic school students using accounts and risking AEA budget cuts, weakening public school funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding School Transportation

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SF 241: A bill for an act prohibiting a court from ordering payment of a postsecondary education subsidy for a child under a dissolution of marriage temporary order or final judgment or decree, and providing for application to existing orders, judgments, and decrees.

This bill prohibits courts from requiring either parent to pay for a child's postsecondary education (like college or career training) in divorce or custody orders. It directly affects parents in divorce cases involving children aged 18-22 who are attending school. The key provision (Section 598.21F) states courts "shall not order" such payments in temporary orders or final judgments. The law applies only to new or pending orders after July 1, 2025, and does not change existing orders made before that date.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill removes court-ordered parent funding for postsecondary education, restricting a source of financial support for students in divorce cases.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 5, 2025

HSB 304: A bill for an act modifying property tax calculations, and including applicability provisions.

This bill modifies Iowa's property tax calculation system by introducing a cap on annual tax increases for qualified properties starting in fiscal year 2026. It limits tax increases for residential and agricultural properties to 103% of the previous year's tax (108% for commercial/industrial), unless improvements occurred during the base year. A "qualified parcel" must not have changed ownership, undergone new construction, or been subject to exemptions in the base year. The cap applies only to standard annual property taxes (excluding special assessments or bond payments) and aims to prevent sudden large tax jumps for eligible property owners.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill caps annual property tax increases at 103% (108% commercial), restricting tax hikes for qualified properties, aligning with 'oppose' stance on tax increases.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProperty tax cap limits potential school funding growth via reduced revenue, directly impacting school finance without educational support or funding increases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 7, 2025

HSB 61: A bill for an act prohibiting community colleges from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and engaging in certain other activities relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This bill prohibits Iowa community colleges from creating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or conducting specific DEI-related activities, such as requiring DEI statements from individuals or offering preferential treatment based on such statements. It extends existing restrictions (currently applying to other public universities) to cover all community colleges under Iowa Code chapter 261J. The bill allows exceptions for federal law or accreditation requirements and mandates annual compliance reports to the governor and legislature. Community colleges would directly face these restrictions, impacting how they structure campus programs and hiring practices.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI offices and activities in community colleges, restricting diversity-focused educational programs and curriculum initiatives per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 7, 2025

HSB 155: A bill for an act prohibiting state entities from expending moneys to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or to hire individuals to serve as diversity, equity, and inclusion officers, creating a private cause of action, and including effective date provisions.

This bill prohibits Iowa state entities (including local governments, schools, and agencies) from using public funds to create, support, or staff diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or hire DEI officers. It defines prohibited activities broadly, including efforts related to race, gender identity, or concepts like "systemic oppression" or "anti-racism," while exempting federal compliance offices (e.g., Title IX staff) and academic departments. The law allows any individual - students, alumni, or employees - to sue a state entity for violations seeking court orders to stop funding or hiring DEI roles. It takes effect immediately upon enactment, with no sunset provision.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits public funding for DEI offices in schools, restricting diversity initiatives and curriculum-related programs under education policy.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits state funding for DEI offices, undermining workplace diversity initiatives and worker protection efforts under labor & employment standards.85% confidence

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died · Iowa · House Mar 26, 2025

HF 583: A bill for an act relating to sex and gender, including those and related terms for purposes of statutory construction, indications of a person’s sex on certain vital records, gender identity under the Iowa civil rights Act, and school curricula related to gender theory.

HF 583 defines "sex" biologically at birth as male or female based on reproductive systems for legal purposes. It requires birth certificates to list the sex assigned at birth (male/female), limits changes to medical documentation, and clarifies that "sex" in anti-discrimination laws refers to biological sex, not gender identity. The bill also specifies that "gender" in legal contexts should not be used as a synonym for gender identity and includes provisions affecting school curricula related to gender theory. These changes directly impact how vital records are maintained, civil rights enforcement, and educational materials in Iowa.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school curricula by limiting gender theory content and defining 'sex' biologically, directly restricting educational content related to gender identity in schools.92% confidence

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2025

HF 269: A bill for an act prohibiting certain requirements for students and faculty at regents institutions relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory and including applicability provisions.

HF 269 prohibits Iowa's public universities (regents institutions) from requiring students to take courses or faculty to use teaching materials related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or critical race theory as part of degree requirements. The bill bans institutions from constraining students' course choices to meet such requirements or mandating faculty to incorporate specific content or participate in related training as part of evaluations or promotions. Limited exemptions exist only for programs explicitly focused on racial, ethnic, or gender studies, and students cannot be forced to take these courses for other degrees. The law takes effect for academic years starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits mandatory DEI/critical race theory curriculum at public universities, restricting academic content and course requirements per bill language.95% confidence

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passed · Iowa · House Apr 14, 2025

HF 579: A bill for an act relating to certain amounts of school district funding for programs for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs or alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention.

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes a 2.5% cap on supplemental school district funding, restricting budgetary allocations for at-risk student programs and limiting fiscal flexibility.92% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill imposes 2.5% cap on supplemental funding for at-risk student programs, restricting funding growth and limiting program expansion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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