This bill creates a new "foundation property tax reduction fund" in Iowa's state treasury, funded by redirecting interest earnings from several existing state funds (including the Iowa economic emergency fund, cash reserve fund, and taxpayer relief fund) starting in 2026. The fund's primary purpose is to lower property tax levies for school districts by making direct payments to them, effectively reducing the amount homeowners and businesses would pay in property taxes. School districts and property taxpayers - particularly those with agricultural land eligible for existing tax credits - will directly benefit as the fund supplants funds that would otherwise be collected through the standard property tax system. The fund operates separately from the general state fund and is specifically designed to lower the foundation property tax levy rate under existing school finance rules.
SF 500 establishes a state grant program to help Iowa school districts pay for security personnel at high schools. The program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, provides matching grants (up to $30,000 per district annually) to offset costs for hiring private security officers or school resource officers guarding high school attendance centers. It appropriates $9,750,000 from the state general fund for the program during fiscal year 2025-2026, with unspent funds carried forward to future years. The bill directly affects school districts employing security staff at grades 9-12 locations, reducing their financial burden for this requirement.
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.
HF 837 establishes a scholarship program for Iowa residents serving in U.S. military reserve components (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force). The program covers tuition and mandatory fees up to 100% of financial need at eligible Iowa colleges or universities, including community colleges and state universities. To qualify, students must complete required active duty training, maintain full-time enrollment, and meet academic progress standards while enrolled in a high-demand career program. Scholarships are distributed by the College Student Aid Commission, with priority given to those with demonstrated financial need, and include special provisions for students ordered to active duty.
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.
HF 543 requires Iowa public school districts to provide free sanitary napkins and tampons in at least half of restrooms serving students in grades 6-12, with products regularly refilled. It directly affects school districts and students in those grades by ensuring access to essential hygiene products without cost. The bill appropriates state funds to reimburse districts for compliance costs from 2025 through 2028, with districts submitting documented expenses for reimbursement. After June 2028, school foundation aid will fund ongoing compliance, ending the state appropriation.
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.
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.
HB 218 allows Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to create policies awarding academic credit for religious instruction courses provided by private organizations. It modifies compulsory education rules by exempting students from attendance requirements when attending such courses (with limits: max 5 hours weekly, required parental notification, and private organization maintaining attendance records). The bill also explicitly excludes these religious instruction absences from counting toward chronic absenteeism thresholds under Iowa law. School policies must evaluate courses based on instructional hours, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications - without considering religious content or denominational affiliation - to determine if they meet academic standards.
HF 914 modifies Iowa's education structure by changing how area education agencies (AEAs) operate and interact with the Department of Education. It removes outdated sections and updates key provisions, including requiring AEAs to provide evidence-based professional development and special education oversight through a new "division of special education" within the Department (not AEAs). The bill also revises budget processes, mandating that AEA annual budgets must be approved by both the Department of Education and the State Board of Education before final adoption. These changes directly affect AEAs, local school districts, and students - particularly those with disabilities - by clarifying service responsibilities and oversight for educational programs.
