Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 537: A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

This bill prohibits private colleges and universities in Iowa that participate in the state's tuition grant program from establishing or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices. It defines a DEI office as any unit creating or promoting policies related to race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, but excludes legal compliance offices, academic departments, student recruitment, and student organizations. Institutions failing to comply risk losing eligibility for the tuition grant program starting the next academic year, with a 30-day window to correct violations or provide documentation. The law explicitly allows DEI-related activities that align with federal or state law, accreditation standards, or academic instruction.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI offices in participating colleges, restricting diversity initiatives in higher education policy per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2063: A bill for an act prohibiting courses and content relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory in general education requirements and core curricula at regents institutions.

SF 2063, titled the "Stop Woke Act," prohibits Iowa regents institutions from including courses or course requirements containing specific diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory-related content in undergraduate general education or core curricula. The bill defines prohibited content as material discussing systemic racism, race-based privilege, or concepts like "critical race theory" or "systemic bias" in contemporary society. It requires the state board of regents to establish policies by December 31, 2026, and review all general education requirements to remove affected courses by the same deadline. The law specifically targets required courses in core curricula, not all courses or extracurricular programs.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly prohibits DEI/CRT content in curricula, restricting educational content per bill's definition of prohibited material.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 542: A bill for an act prohibiting courses and content relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory in general education requirements and core curricula at regents institutions.

This bill prohibits Iowa's public universities (regents institutions) from requiring courses containing content related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or critical race theory in general education programs. It specifically bans material promoting ideas like systemic racism, race-based privilege, or differential treatment based on race, and lists topics such as "systemic racism," "implicit bias," or "intersectionality" as prohibited. The state board of regents must establish this policy and review all general education curricula by December 2026, removing any required courses that include prohibited content. The law directly affects undergraduate students and faculty at Iowa's public universities by restricting mandatory course content in foundational education requirements.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI/critical race theory content in university curricula, restricting academic freedom and curriculum requirements in education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 26, 2026

HF 2152: A bill for an act repealing the school tuition organization tax credit available against the individual and corporate income taxes and including effective date provisions.

HF 2152 repeals Iowa's school tuition organization (STO) tax credit program, which allowed taxpayers to reduce their individual or corporate income tax by 75% of donations to private schools. Starting July 1, 2026, new contributions to STOs will no longer qualify for this credit, and the annual credit limit for 2026 is reduced to $10 million (down from $20 million). The program is fully repealed effective July 1, 2032, ending all future use of the credit. This directly affects Iowa taxpayers and businesses that previously claimed this credit against their state income tax bills.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals tax credit diverting state revenue to private schools, closing a tax loophole that reduced public tax revenue by $10M+ annually.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill repeals tax credit funding for private school donations, directly reducing financial support for private education options and limiting educational access via tax incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 854: A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

HF 854 prohibits private colleges participating in Iowa's tuition grant program from establishing, sustaining, or staffing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices. The bill allows exceptions for academic courses, student organization activities, research, health services, and compliance with federal law or accreditation standards. Violations could result in loss of tuition grant eligibility, requiring institutions to correct issues within 30 days or face exclusion from the program. This directly affects private higher education institutions receiving state tuition aid, with enforcement handled through the attorney general's office.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI offices at private colleges in tuition grant program, restricting diversity initiatives in higher education policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 855: 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.

HF 855 prohibits Iowa community colleges from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or requiring DEI statements for staff or students. It extends existing restrictions from Iowa Code chapter 261J - which already bans preferential treatment based on DEI statements at public universities - to all community colleges. The bill exempts activities required by federal law or accreditation standards and maintains annual reporting requirements to the legislature. This directly affects all Iowa community colleges by restricting specific DEI-related activities.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI offices and statements in community colleges, restricting diversity initiatives in higher education as per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRestricts DEI programs in community colleges, weakening protections against workplace discrimination, a core employment standard.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 7, 2025

HSB 60: A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

H.S.B. 60 prohibits private Iowa colleges and universities participating in the state's tuition grant program from establishing, maintaining, or staffing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices. The ban does not apply if required by federal law, state law, or accreditation standards. Anyone can report a suspected violation to the attorney general, who gives the institution 30 days to either discontinue the DEI office or prove it complies with the law. Failure to comply results in the institution losing eligibility for the Iowa tuition grant program starting the next academic year.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI offices in state-funded private colleges, restricting diversity initiatives in higher education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track