HF 92 modifies Iowa's urban renewal law by changing which property tax revenue funds urban renewal projects. It specifies that taxes for emergency medical services (under Chapter 422D) are excluded from the revenue pool used for urban renewal financing and low/moderate income housing assistance. The bill ensures that only certain property taxes - excluding those for emergency medical services, school levies, and other specific programs - are allocated to the municipality's special fund for urban renewal projects and housing. This change applies to property taxes due in fiscal years starting July 1, 2026.
HF 264 requires Iowa's State Board of Regents to annually review whether general fund appropriations to the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa meet or exceed 52% of their combined projected operating costs by August 1 each year. If appropriations fall below this threshold, the Board temporarily loses all authority over these institutions for the rest of that fiscal year, and each university gains direct control over management, budgets, programs, and operations as if the Board had no authority. The Board regains full authority on July 1 of the following year. This bill directly affects the three public universities and shifts operational control based solely on funding levels relative to projected costs.
HF 102 requires Iowa schools to train all staff on recognizing seizures and providing first aid by December 2026, with biennial refresher training for those supervising students. Starting July 2025, schools must ensure at least one staff member (or a full-time school nurse) is trained to assist with approved seizure medications or vagus nerve stimulation devices. For students with epilepsy or on seizure medication, schools must create individual health plans and seizure action plans with annual parental authorization. The bill also provides liability protection for schools and staff acting in good faith under these plans.
SJR 6 is a constitutional amendment proposing to repeal Iowa’s natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund (which funded parks, trails, and conservation) and replace it with a new property tax relief trust fund. The amendment would dedicate a portion of increased sales and use tax revenue (capped at 0.375% of taxable sales) to lower school district property tax levies uniformly across the state. This fund would replace revenue previously generated from the foundation property tax levy, directly reducing property taxes for homeowners and businesses that fund public schools. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval after legislative passage.
This bill creates two new state funds to support financial education and prevention of financial exploitation in Iowa. It modifies insurance agent registration fees (charging $40 total, with $10 directed to each fund) and establishes the Financial Literacy and Investor Education Fund (for public education on financial topics) and the Financial Exploitation Prevention Fund (for victim assistance and investigations). The funds can be supported by fees, transfers from the commerce revolving fund, and civil penalty payments. These changes directly affect insurance agents through fee structures and benefit Iowa residents by funding public education programs and prevention services.
HF 220 would have required Iowa public school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to allow eighth-grade students who meet their academic standards to participate in high school athletic programs (grades 9-12). The bill's key provision, added as Section 280.13D, mandated that schools permit these students to join extracurricular sports teams provided for older grades. It directly affected eighth graders meeting academic requirements and school administrators responsible for athletic program rules. The bill was withdrawn on March 14, 2025, after committee approval.
HB 3 establishes Iowa's National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to Iowa National Guard members pursuing approved postsecondary credentials. The scholarship covers the full cost of approved educational programs at community colleges, state universities, or accredited private institutions, excluding associate degrees and higher. Eligible members must complete initial training, maintain good performance, enroll in an approved program, and apply for other state/federal aid first. The Adjutant General verifies eligibility and approves educational programs, while unspent funds roll over annually to support the program.
This bill modifies the National Guard Service Scholarship Program, which provides financial aid to Iowa National Guard members attending eligible Iowa colleges and universities. It changes how scholarship award amounts are calculated. The bill stipulates that scholarship awards cannot exceed the difference between the institution's tuition rate and any federal financial aid received under 10 U.S.C. §2007. Additionally, it removes the previous minimum scholarship award amount and eliminates the prohibition against basing award determinations on a member's unit, drill location, or branch of service.
SSB 1068 updates Iowa's workforce development laws to align with federal requirements. It revises definitions for national service programs (like AmeriCorps and RefugeeRISE), requires local workforce boards to develop federally compliant plans, and mandates new reporting on education and job training outcomes. The bill affects the Department of Workforce Development, local workforce boards, and job seekers accessing training programs. Key changes include repealing outdated sections (84A.7-84A.11) and adding requirements for annual reports on scholarship program participation and employment outcomes.
HF 772 requires the college student aid commission to collect a new annual authorization fee from certain postsecondary educational institutions. This fee applies to educational entities that are either exempt from standard registration with the commission or those offering educational courses in Iowa, and who do not already pay a registration fee. The bill sets the annual fee at $2,000 for institutions with a primary location in Iowa and $3,500 for those located outside of Iowa, beginning July 1, 2025. The commission is authorized to increase these fees annually by up to three percent.
