This Week at the Statehouse – Week 12
The second funnel deadline is today. Below are the highlights of the updated list of bills the Regents are tracking. For those bills that have died for this legislative session, we will continue to monitor amendments and budget bills to see if any of these bills' language shows up during the rest of the legislative session.
BILLS THAT DIED IN SECOND FUNNEL
HF 132 SOCIAL STUDIES POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES. Requires social studies instruction in high schools on certain political ideologies (such as communism and totalitarianism) that conflict with freedom and democracy essential to the founding of the U.S.
HF 182 REGENTS SHALL DEFINE CERTAIN COURSE TERMINOLOGY. Requires the three Regents universities to define certain course terminology in teacher preparation programs and establishes a legislative interim committee on teacher preparation programs.
HF 252 COMPREHENSIVE TRANSITION SCHOLARSHIPS – UI REACH. If moneys are appropriated, requires college student aid to develop a scholarship program for individuals over 18 who have intellectual, development or learning disabilities and who are enrolled in a comprehensive transition postsecondary program.
HF 255 ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS TO TEACHING LICENSES AND ONLINE ONLY COURSE TO LICENSURE. Puts in the Iowa Code the alternative pathway to licensure (RAPIL program) that is currently in Iowa Department of Education rules. The bill also allows an out of state company to provide an online only course for those with a bachelor degree to pass and then can get their temporary teaching license (no student teaching required).
HF 323 PAYING STUDENT TEACHERS. Allows school districts to pay a student teacher; it is left up to each school district.
HF 333 OPEN RECORD/MEETING COMPLAINTS. Gives a person 90 days, not the current 60 days, to file a complaint with the Iowa Public Information Board after an alleged violation of Code chapter 21 (open meetings) or Code chapter 22 (open records) occurred or the complainant could have become aware of the alleged violation.
HF 578 STATE PARENTAL LEAVE. Requires a state employee entitled to leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 be provided paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child if the leave is taken within 12 months following any such birth or adoption.
HF 615 HOMESCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS. Requires Regents universities, community colleges and private colleges and universities to accept homeschool transcripts from Iowa students for admissions. It does not preclude the universities from asking for additional information, the same as when asked from school counselors.
HF 616 – PROHIBITING REGENTS DEI OFFICES. Prohibits diversity, equity or inclusion offices at the Regents universities.
SF 108 UNAUTHORIZED ALIEN WORKERS. Among other things, the bill requires employers the use of the e-verify system for all hires.
SF 128 CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION. Provides that a contractor, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C relating to registration of construction contractors, includes a labor broker or recruiter who brings one or more workers to a construction job site in Iowa.
BILLS THAT REMAIN ALIVE
HF 93 MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE RESTRICTIONS. Prohibits an employer from entering into an agreement with a licensed mental health professional that limits the location at which the licensee may practice, prohibits the licensee from contacting for professional services a person previously treated by the licensee, or imposes a time restriction on the practice of the licensee. Passed House 95-0; on Senate Calendar
HF 135 UNIVERSITY GRADUATE INFORMATION. Requires the Board of Regents to publish on its website the average student debt and graduate wage information report. Passed House 94-4; on Senate Calendar
HF 183/SF 133 PRESCRIBING PSYCHOLOGISTS. Provides requirements for a prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate. Passed House 95-0; on Senate Calendar
HF 256 TEACHING LICENSURE AGE. Strikes the requirement that an applicant for a teaching license must be 21 years old. Passed House 95-0; on Senate Calendar
HF 272/SF 186 ADOPTIVE PARENT EMPLOYEES. Requires an employer to treat an employee who adopts a child up to six years of age in the same manner as an employee who is the biological parent of a newborn child for purposes of employment policies, benefits, and protections for the first year of the adoption. Passed House 95-0; on Senate Calendar
HF 350/SF 202 PUBLIC RECORD REQUESTS. Upon receipt of a public records request, the lawful custodian must promptly provide the lawful custodian’s contact information, approximate date of the records release, and an estimate of any reasonable fees associated with the records request. Passed House 96-0; on Senate Calendar
HF 447 IOWA WORKFORCE GRANT PROGRAM FOR REGENTS’ STUDENTS. Establishes the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program within college student aid, subject to a state appropriation, for Regents students in high-wage and high-demand jobs and corresponding academic majors, as determined by Iowa Workforce Development and the Board of Regents. On House Appropriations Calendar
HF 614 OUT-OF-STATE TEACHER LICENSING. Spells out the requirements for out-of-state and international applicants to get teachers’ licensure. Passed House 96-0; on Senate Calendar
HF 631/SF 385 BRADY GIGLIO LIST. Strikes the repeal of the current Brady-Giglio list policies which was set to be repealed on July 1, 2023. Adds a requirement that prosecutors keep confidential and not release information to the public the file of an officer or statements, recordings or complaints. The bill is effective upon enactment. Passed House 97-0; on Senate Calendar
HF 654/SF 543 – GUNS IN VEHICLES. Allows weapons in vehicles in parking lots, including at the Regents universities. HF 654 on House Calendar; SF 543 on Senate Calendar
HF 667 ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT CLAIMS. Requires the Regents universities’ athletic departments to reimburse the state general fund for an award or judgment on a claim relating to the conduct or actions of an employee of an athletic department. The bill applies retroactively to January 1, 2023. On House Appropriations Calendar
HF 671/SF 127 PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS LICENSURE COMPACT. Establishes this compact that would provide access to counseling and would benefit our students and establishes a commission to administer the compact. HF 671 on House Calendar; SF 127 on Senate Calendar
HF 672 TEACHER BACKGROUND CHECKS; NO LICENSE RENEWAL FOR VETERAN TEACHERS. Repeals the license renewal requirement for teachers employed for at least 10 years and who possesses a master’s or doctoral degree. Also requires continuing background checks every five years for teachers who are not subject to these renewal requirements and allows the BOEE to charge a reasonable fee for these background checks. Adds charter schools and private schools to background checks. On House Ways and Means Calendar
HF 143/SF 203 RANSOMEWARE. Relates to ransomware and cybersecurity attacks. Passed House 97-1; on Senate Calendar
SF 252 UNIVERSITY PREGNANCY ACCOMMODATIONS. Puts in state law what the universities already do to accommodate pregnant students. It requires the state universities and community colleges to make reasonable accommodations to students who are pregnant or who have recently given birth, including to allow the student to complete a course of study or research. Passed Senate 50-0; on House Calendar
SF 391 GOVERNOR EDUCATION BILL – TEACHER LIBRARIANS AND WORLD LANGUAGE. Among other things, removes the requirement that teacher librarians have a master’s degree and allows someone who is a public librarian to work in the school without additional training. Also, reduced the requirement that all K-12 districts are required to offer four years of a world language (e.g. Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4), to two sequential units (e.g. Spanish 1, 2 only). Passed Senate 33-16. House amended the bill (changed the two to three years of a world language) and passed 62-34. On Senate with House amendment.
SF 392 TEACHING PROGRAMS & INCENTIVES. Puts in the Iowa Code the alternative pathway to licensure (RAPIL) program that is currently in Iowa Department of Education rules. It also amends who is eligible for the Teach Iowa Scholar grants, and allows the use of school districts management levy for teacher recruitment incentives. In Senate Ways and Means Committee
SF 418 PROHIBITS PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN CERTAIN CHINA COMPANIES. Prohibits all public funds, including Board of Regents, from being invested in companies that are owned or controlled by Chinese military or government services and has been designated by the U.S. government as a company that U.S. citizens are restricted or prohibited from entering into transactions with, limited to companies on any of the lists as outlined in the bill. Passed Senate 49-1; on House Calendar
SF 507 – GOVERNOR BILL BANNING PUBLIC FUND INVESTMENT IN ESG COMPANIES. Restricts the Regents and other public retirement funds from contracting with certain companies engaged in non-pecuniary social investment or a boycott of certain companies (limiting investments in the fossil fuel, timber, mining, production agriculture, firearms, firearm parts, firearm accessories, or ammunition companies). Non-pecuniary social investment is defined as investment or commitment of public funds to further environmental, social, governance, political, or ideological interests without a reasonable business purpose. Requires the maintenance of a list of scrutinized companies involved in investments. Includes reporting requirements. Senate passed 33-16. The House amended and passed 63-34. On Senate calendar with House amendment.
Upcoming Dates
April 28 – 110th Calendar Day (lawmaker per diem expenses end)
If you have any questions, please email me at mary.braun@uni.edu.