Education

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HSB 680: A bill for an act relating to education funding by authorizing community-based providers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children, modifying the school tuition organization tax credit program, and including applicability provisions.

This Iowa bill (HSB 680) allows community-based child care centers to directly run state-funded preschool programs for four-year-olds, rather than requiring them to partner with school districts. It creates new rules for these providers to meet quality standards, receive funding, and track participation, including requirements for professional development and data reporting. Preschool funding must supplement, not replace, existing public funding and must be tracked separately from other school district funds. The bill directly affects community-based providers seeking to offer preschool, school districts collaborating with them, and families with four-year-olds eligible for the program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands preschool access by allowing community centers to directly run state-funded programs, supplements existing funding without replacement, and sets quality standards for educational access and funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education School Choice

Track

passed · Iowa · House Mar 19, 2026

HF 2361: A bill for an act relating to general education requirements, core curricula, other functions of regents institutions, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2361 requires Iowa's regents institutions (like the University of Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI) to mandate that undergraduate students complete introductory survey courses in American history and American government as part of their general education requirements. Each course must be at least three semester hours and fulfill social sciences or humanities requirements, with institutions granting equivalent credit for similar prior coursework. The policy applies to students starting in academic years beginning July 1, 2028, and excludes three-year degree programs. Additionally, three university centers must establish lecture series promoting civil dialogue on American republic issues and submit annual reports to state leaders.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates American history/government courses for undergrads, strengthening civic education core curriculum requirements at regents institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SF 2440: A bill for an act relating to the permissible uses of certain school district property tax revenue for urban renewal projects and including effective date provisions.

This bill prohibits school districts from using foundation property tax revenues (levied under Iowa Code section 257.3) for urban renewal projects approved on or after January 1, 2025, that include planning, construction, or operation of stadiums or arenas primarily for professional sports teams. It directly affects school districts and municipalities that rely on tax increment financing (division of revenue under Code chapter 403) for urban renewal projects. The key provision amends Iowa law to block the use of specific school tax funds for stadium-related developments in new urban renewal initiatives. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, with the restriction applying only to projects approved after 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts school districts from using foundation property tax revenues for stadium urban renewal projects, limiting tax fund allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits diversion of school district property tax revenues to stadium/arena projects, protecting educational funding from being redirected to non-educational urban renewal uses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

Track

died · Iowa · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SF 2221: A bill for an act requiring the board of educational examiners to establish additional endorsements for instruction related to fine arts, mathematics, and science.

SF 2221 requires Iowa's Board of Educational Examiners to create new teaching certifications (endorsements) for high-need subjects: fine arts, mathematics, and science. These new endorsements would allow teachers to instruct in these specific areas, but applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university to qualify. The requirement to hold a bachelor's degree and the entire new endorsement system will expire on July 1, 2030. This bill directly affects teachers seeking certification in these subjects and school districts needing qualified staff.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new teaching endorsements for high-need subjects (arts/math/science), strengthening educator qualifications in critical areas per bill's explicit purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2026

HF 2381: A bill for an act requiring school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to grant coaches leaves of absence to attend professional development activities.

HF 2381 requires all Iowa public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to grant coaches with authorization a paid leave of absence for professional development. The bill mandates that schools provide at least two days of leave per school year for coaches to attend training programs or conferences, without any loss of seniority, pay, benefits (including health insurance), vacation time, or other employment protections. This directly affects school employees holding coaching authorizations who need to participate in required professional training. The law ensures coaches can attend development opportunities without financial or career penalties, aligning with existing leave requirements for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates paid professional development leave for coaches without loss of pay/benefits, directly supporting educator development and retention in schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires paid leave without loss of pay/benefits for coaches, strengthening employment protections and professional development rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2452: A bill for an act establishing the data security program within the department of education, and making appropriations.

HF 2452 establishes a state-run data security program within Iowa's Department of Education, allowing school districts to opt in for enhanced protection of student and district data. The department must select data security vendors through a request for proposals process, and participating school districts must commit for an entire school year without mid-year withdrawal. The bill appropriates $250,000 from the state general fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund this program, with money in the dedicated fund rolling over annually instead of reverting to the general fund. This program directly affects school districts choosing to participate and aims to standardize data security practices across Iowa's educational institutions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250,000 from state general fund for data security program in schools, directly funding a public service under budget & taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes state data security program for schools with $250k funding, protecting student data and enhancing school infrastructure security.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes state data security program for schools with $250k funding, enhancing student data protection and cybersecurity measures per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Consumer Data Protection

Track

passed · Iowa · House Mar 19, 2026

HF 2487: A bill for an act concerning restrictions on certain activities relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory by state entities and public institutions of higher education.

HF 2487 restricts state entities and public higher education institutions in Iowa from requiring content related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory in undergraduate general education courses. It mandates that the state board of regents review all such required courses by fall 2028, identify those containing this content, and have discretion to direct institutions to eliminate them. The bill empowers the attorney general to investigate alleged violations, issue subpoenas for records, and seek enforcement through courts, with institutions required to reimburse legal costs. It also sets a December 2026 deadline for the board to establish required policies.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts curriculum content on DEI/CRT in higher education courses, limiting academic freedom and required educational content per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 5, 2026

HF 2288: A bill for an act relating to vaccination exemptions for certain students in clinical rotations and the qualification of postsecondary schools as eligible institutions for Iowa tuition grants.

This bill requires Iowa postsecondary schools offering health science programs (like nursing or medical training) to provide students with clinical rotation placements where they can skip certain vaccination requirements, upon request. It directly affects health science students needing clinical training and the schools they attend. Schools that fail to comply lose eligibility for Iowa tuition grants, which fund student financial aid. The law defines "clinical rotation" as supervised, credit-bearing healthcare training in facilities and updates eligibility rules for tuition grant programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables health science students to complete required clinical rotations by waiving certain vaccination requirements, enhancing educational access for program completion.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill permits vaccination exemptions for healthcare students, weakening public health vaccine requirements for clinical training programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Public Health

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2321: A bill for an act repealing the education savings account program.

This bill repeals Iowa's education savings account program, which provided state-funded vouchers to families for nonpublic school expenses like tuition, tutoring, and learning materials. It removes the program from state law (repealing Section 257.11B) and adjusts related funding calculations in school finance codes to exclude students who previously used these accounts. The program directly affected families enrolling children in nonpublic schools who received these state-funded payments. The bill makes no new funding changes but eliminates the program's structure and its impact on school district cost formulas.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill repeals state-funded education savings account program, removing it from law and adjusting school finance to exclude voucher users, directly defunding this spending program and reducing government expenditure.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRepeals state-funded vouchers for private schools, removing public funding from nonpublic education programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice

Track

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2441: A bill for an act relating to the teach Iowa scholar program, including modifying eligibility provisions and establishing funding allocations.

HF 2441 modifies Iowa's Teach Iowa Scholar program by removing the requirement that applicants must rank in the top 25% of their teacher preparation program. Instead, it establishes new funding allocations starting July 1, 2026: 20% of funds must go to eligible classroom teachers providing special education instruction, and 50% must go to teachers employed in rural school districts (defined as districts with fewer than 1,000 students). The program continues to offer up to $4,000 annually (capped at $20,000 over five years) for teachers in STEM, ESL, special education, or hard-to-staff subjects. These changes directly affect teachers in rural areas and special education by altering how funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to rural teachers and special education via targeted budget provisions, increasing public education spending through appropriations.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects 70% of program funds (20% special ed, 50% rural districts) to support underserved teachers, increasing targeted funding access without defunding95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

Track