HF 369 proposes a grant program within Iowa's Department of Education to expand high school agriculture education. It allows school districts to apply for grants covering up to 100% of costs for teachers providing up to 60 days of extra instruction in agriculture, food, and natural resources programs (for new programs under 10 years) or 50% of costs (for established programs). Grants must supplement, not replace, existing district funding, and the program includes a statewide tracking system for teacher hours. Funds would be held in a dedicated state treasury account that rolls over annually, avoiding fiscal year expiration. This bill directly affects Iowa public school districts offering agriculture education for grades 9-12.
HF 515 increases state funding for Iowa school districts that share school resource officer (SRO) services with other entities. It raises the supplementary weighting for SRO sharing from 2 to 4 pupils per shared function (up from current law), meaning districts sharing SRO duties receive more state funding based on this higher rate. The bill applies to school budget years starting July 1, 2025, and affects any district sharing SRO operational functions for at least 20% of the school year with a political subdivision or another district. This change redirects additional resources toward student programming by adjusting the funding formula for shared SRO services.
SF 485 requires nonpublic schools receiving tuition payments through Iowa's education savings account program to meet specific standards. These schools must follow public school board accountability rules, submit required data reports, maintain accreditation like public schools, and comply with teacher licensing requirements. The bill modifies the definition of "qualified educational expenses" to include these new requirements for participating nonpublic schools. It also removes a previous provision that prevented the state from requiring schools to adjust their educational programs to receive payments.
HF 334 would allow Iowa public school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to hire paid chaplains or use volunteer chaplains to provide student support services. Key provisions include removing requirements for chaplains to hold educational licenses or certifications, mandating background checks and termination procedures similar to other school staff, and prohibiting schools from requiring or pressuring students to use chaplain services. The bill directly affects schools seeking to offer spiritual or emotional support programs to students through chaplaincy services. It does not change existing student rights or create new funding requirements for schools.
HF 522 amends Iowa's therapeutic classroom incentive program to allow school districts using grant funds to cover specific nutritional items for students. It directly affects students in therapeutic classrooms - those whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with learning - and the school districts administering these programs. Key provisions authorize funding for micronutrient access (like vitamins D and K2), assessments of macro-nutritional needs, provision of whole foods (fresh produce, healthy proteins), restrictions on artificial food additives, and initiatives addressing digital screen use and natural light exposure. The bill expands allowable uses of existing grant funds to support nutrition-based strategies within therapeutic classrooms.
HF 929 requires Iowa school districts to publish online lists of all books in school libraries and instructional materials (like textbooks, articles, and videos) used in classrooms, organized by subject, grade, and teacher. It creates a formal process for parents or guardians to request removal of specific materials, allowing school boards to discuss such requests in closed sessions. School districts must post these lists within 10 days of materials being used and maintain them for two years, with specific formatting rules for digital access. The law applies to all public school districts starting July 1, 2025, and mandates annual policy updates for parents on material review procedures.
HF 521 would remove a legal exemption currently protecting public libraries and schools in Iowa from obscenity laws when using certain materials for educational purposes. The bill repeals Section 728.7 of Iowa’s code, which previously stated that obscenity laws (defined as material appealing to prurient interest, patently offensive, and lacking serious value for minors) do not apply to educational materials in accredited schools, public libraries, or programs involving minors. Without this exemption, libraries and schools would face the full application of Iowa’s general obscenity law when handling such materials. This change directly affects how educational institutions in Iowa manage book selections and programming for minors. The bill is currently referred to the Education committee.
HF 577 would provide Iowa residents attending regents institutions with a full tuition and mandatory fee waiver plus a $5,000 per semester stipend if they score the maximum possible on the ACT, SAT, or Classic Learning Test. To qualify, students must submit score documentation and maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation. The bill applies specifically to Iowa residents enrolled at the state's regents universities and requires the Board of Regents to administer the program. This policy directly affects high-achieving Iowa students seeking undergraduate education at public universities.
HF 868 requires Iowa's Department of Education to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a state-regulated institution of higher education (offering undergraduate and graduate programs) in Pottawattamie County or a neighboring county. The study must evaluate potential locations, propose tentative timelines for establishment, and analyze key requirements for implementation. The department may consult with relevant agencies and stakeholders, and must submit findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2025. This bill does not create the institution but mandates a formal assessment to inform future decisions.
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.
