Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that appropriates $1 billion for the the Iowa Department of Education, the state's public universities under the Iowa Board of Regents, as well as the Department for the Blind and other education-related programs.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $1 billion for the Iowa Department of Education, the state's public universities under the Iowa Board of Regents, as well as the Department for the Blind and other education-related programs (Div. I-IV, Sec. 1-31).

• Increases the education budget by 2.5% to over $573 million for the state university system, including (Div. I-IV, Sec. 1-31):

• $223 million for the University of Iowa;

• $178 million for Iowa State University;

• $101 million for the University of Northern Iowa; and

• $52 million for Iowa tuition grant programs.

• Amends the system for distribution of funds to state community colleges beginning July 1, 2024 (Div. II, Sec. 2).

• Increases appropriations to the state community college system by $7 million with half going to the current aid distribution formula and the other $3.5 million dedicate to providing more equity to the 6 community colleges with the lowest average state funding per student (Div. II, Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the establishment, maintenance and funding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices at state universities (Div. IX, Sec. 31-35).

• Specifies that DEI initiatives and programs that are required by state or federal law, or to meet accreditation requirements, are still allowed (Div. IX, Sec. 31-35).

• Requires school districts adopt rules related to chronic absenteeism and truancy, and establish a required procedure for schools to work with parents and students through an absenteeism prevention plan (Div. VII, Sec. 16).

• Specifies if further intervention is needed, the county attorney would be involved in addressing the problem (Div. VII, Sec. 16).

• Appropriates $10 million to the Department of Education for the Division of Special Education as part of the AEA legislation (Div. VIII, Sec. 23).

• Specifies that this new division will take over oversight and supervision work currently performed by AEA agencies internally and that funding would go toward 62 full-time employee positions in the division (Div. X, Sec. 38).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Div. XII, Sec. 46).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that appropriates $1 billion for the Iowa Department of Education, the state's public universities under the Iowa Board of Regents, as well as the Department for the Blind and other education-related programs.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $1 billion for the Iowa Department of Education, the state's public universities under the Iowa Board of Regents, as well as the Department for the Blind and other education-related programs (Div. I-IV, Sec. 1-31).

• Increases the education budget by 2.5% to over $573 million for the state university system, including (Div. I-IV, Sec. 1-31):

• $223 million for the University of Iowa;

• $178 million for Iowa State University;

• $101 million for the University of Northern Iowa; and

• $52 million for Iowa tuition grant programs.

• Amends the system for distribution of funds to state community colleges beginning July 1, 2024 (Div. II, Sec. 2).

• Increases appropriations to the state community college system by $7 million with half going to the current aid distribution formula and the other $3.5 million dedicate to providing more equity to the 6 community colleges with the lowest average state funding per student (Div. II, Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the establishment, maintenance and funding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices at state universities (Div. IX, Sec. 31-35).

• Specifies that DEI initiatives and programs that are required by state or federal law, or to meet accreditation requirements, are still allowed (Div. IX, Sec. 31-35).

• Requires school districts adopt rules related to chronic absenteeism and truancy, and establish a required procedure for schools to work with parents and students through an absenteeism prevention plan (Div. VII, Sec. 16).

• Specifies if further intervention is needed, the county attorney would be involved in addressing the problem (Div. VII, Sec. 16).

• Appropriates $10 million to the Department of Education for the Division of Special Education as part of the AEA legislation (Div. VIII, Sec. 23).

• Specifies that this new division will take over oversight and supervision work currently performed by AEA agencies internally and that funding would go toward 62 full-time employee positions in the division (Div. X, Sec. 38).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Div. XII, Sec. 46).

Full Bill Text