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Week 4 felt, well, more like a routine early-session work week at the Capitol, with most of the action happening at subcommittee and committee meetings, with a little floor debate sprinkled in.
The Senate took up Senate File 192 establishing the state cost per pupil and categorical percent of growth for fiscal year 2024 and modifying provisions related to the property tax replacement payments. The bill was amended from the original version to establish a 3 percent allowable growth, which matches the percent growth proposed by the House in House File 171. The Senate debated SF192 on Thursday afternoon and passed the bill by a vote of 34 to 15. The House passed HF171 out of both the Education and Appropriations committees this week, but have yet to place the bill on the debate calendar.
Regarding the Governor’s policy agenda, the House introduced House Study Bill 119 (companion to Senate Study Bill 1076) which implements the Governor’s education reforms. The bill would modify numerous provisions of statute related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and school counselors, required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and more. Subcommittees have been assigned for both bills but meetings dates have not been announced.
Both chambers also introduced the Governor’s government reorganization bill, SSB1123 and HSB126, which implements sweeping changes to streamline the organizational structure of state government and improve efficiencies.
Both the Senate and House Education Committees held meetings this week. The Senate met on Wednesday where they considered one bill, SSB1081 (successor to SF192) related to allowable growth. The Senate Education Committee is next scheduled to meet on Wednesday, February 10 at 10:00AM.
The House met on Tuesday and moved 4 bills through committee, including the following:
- HF9 (renumbered HF180) - relating to parental or guardian consent and information regarding gender identity of students.
- HSB117 (renumbered HF171) - relating to school funding and state and categorical percent of growth.
The House Education Committee will reconvene on Tuesday, February 7 at 2:00PM. Also note that the House Education Appropriations subcommittee is scheduled to meet on Monday, February 6 at 3:30PM.
Several bills moved through subcommittee this week, including:
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HF4 - related to teacher licensure in regards to teacher intern licenses, regional exchange teaching licenses, and career and technical (CTE) authorizations, and initial teaching license to an applicant who completes a defined alternative teacher certification program. Subcommittee recommends passage.
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HF5 - related to school transparency; protocols for the selection, review, reconsideration, and removal of materials from school libraries; and a specified assessment of student knowledge to be included in the currently required United States Government class (a similar bill was introduced last session). Subcommittee recommends passage.
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HF39 - allows a student enrolled in a charter school to participate in extracurricular activities provided by the student’s district of residence. Subcommittee recommends passage.
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HSB112 - related to staff training and curriculum and implementing provisions related to noncompliance. Subcommittee recommends passage.
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SF83 - relating to the instruction of gender identity in curriculum in kindergarten through grade eight. Subcommittee recommends passage.
Refer to the bill tracker on the Department’s website for the latest on legislation progressing through both chambers, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Eric St Clair
Legislative Liaison
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
515-326-0274
eric.stclair@iowa.gov
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