This bill increases the state funding limit for nonpublic school pupil transportation claims from approximately $8.997 million to $9.184 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The additional funds are specifically designated to reimburse claims that were not previously paid because they were submitted late due to administrative errors. It directs the Iowa Department of Education to use these new moneys to process those delayed reimbursements and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill increases the state appropriation for nonpublic school pupil transportation reimbursement by $186,883.55, raising the total limit to $9,183,974.55 for fiscal year 2025-2026. It directly affects nonpublic schools (like private or religious schools) that receive state funding for student transportation services. The key provision requires the Department of Education to use the additional funds to pay claims delayed due to administrative errors, while also mandating proration of all approved claims if total requests exceed the new appropriation limit. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
SF 2358 allows minors with special restricted driver's licenses to drive beyond the standard 25-mile limit for unsupervised travel between home and an accredited nonpublic school. It creates a waiver process: parents or guardians apply to the school's administrator, who can approve a waiver permitting unlimited distance for the home-to-school commute. The approved waiver must be carried by the minor while driving. This directly affects minors enrolled in accredited nonpublic schools who would otherwise face the 25-mile restriction for their commute. The bill does not change other existing restrictions on unsupervised driving.
This bill increases Iowa's appropriation for nonpublic school pupil transportation claims by $186,883.55, raising the total funding limit to $9,183,974.55 for fiscal year 2025-2026. It directly affects nonpublic schools and transportation providers by ensuring delayed claims due to administrative errors can now be paid using the additional funds. If total approved claims exceed the appropriation, the Department of Education must prorate payments proportionally. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.
This bill modifies Iowa's transportation rules for students participating in open enrollment. It removes a distance restriction for smaller school districts (under 2,000 total students), allowing them to transport students from their residence to school regardless of proximity to the assigned school in the sending district, as long as the student's home is closer to the receiving district's school. For larger districts (2,000+ students), the bill maintains existing requirements (like contiguous district boundaries and prior vehicle use) but removes the distance limitation for transportation. The changes directly affect open enrollment students and the school districts that transport them. The bill does not alter the existing agreement requirement between sending and receiving districts for transportation.
HF 613 modifies Iowa's driving restrictions for minors aged 14-18 holding a special minor's restricted license who participate in open enrollment. It increases the maximum allowable driving distance between a minor's home and school from 25 miles to 40 miles for these students, while maintaining the existing unlimited distance rule for those attending public school within their district. The bill specifically applies to students enrolled in open enrollment programs under section 282.18. It does not change the 25-mile limit for other restricted license holders or alter the current penalties for violations. This change aims to provide greater flexibility for students attending schools outside their home district through open enrollment.
This bill modifies Iowa school transportation rules for students using open enrollment. It removes mileage restrictions for districts of all sizes: for districts under 2,000 students, it eliminates the requirement that a student's home must be closer to the receiving school than their assigned school in the sending district. For districts with 2,000+ students, it removes the previous two-mile limit on transportation routes, allowing vehicles to travel farther without distance restrictions. The change directly affects students in open enrollment programs and their receiving school districts, streamlining transportation logistics regardless of residence location relative to school assignments.
