Feb 06, 2026
This Week at the Statehouse - Week 4
With the first funnel only two weeks away (February 20), these weeks continue to be full of subcommittee and committee work as legislators push to advance bills through the process. During the first funnel, bills introduced in the House need to be reported out of House committees and bills introduced in the Senate need to be reported out of Senate committees. Funnel week is the first major deadline bills must get through in order to remain eligible for continuing debate.
K-12 funding discussions began this week, as the Senate introduced their proposal for the percent growth in Supplemental State Aid (SSA). The Governor put forward a 2% SSA increase in her overall budget proposal last month. The Senate's bill would establish a 1.75% SSA (SF 2201), which passed committee on Wednesday and is now eligible for floor debate. The House has not yet introduced their proposal. According to Iowa law, they have until February 13 to send a final proposal to the Governor for signature but often do not meet that deadline.
The House Higher Education Committee met this week to hear a presentation from Board of Regents staff. The presentation was on the findings of the Board of Regents Academic Program Review, which was a repeat of the presentation given to the Board of Regents at the November 2025 meeting.
On the legislative front, 5 bills passed the House Higher Education Committee and 4 bills passed the Senate Education Committee.
The bills that were passed:
- HF 2057 - Pediatric Cancer Research Appropriation
- HSB 532 - University of Iowa College of Law Admission - Amended from requiring 80% of admitted students be Iowa residents to a loan repayment program to provide an incentive to graduates to practice in Iowa upon graduation with an emphasis on rural practice
- HSB 547 - Regents Admission Index, Classic Learning Test
- HSB 549 - Tuition Guarantee - Amended to clarify that any guaranteed first‑year rate is for students starting in 2027, students with enough transfer credits to finish early get the freeze only for the years needed to complete their degree, student transferring to another regents institution get the higher rate of the two, and that the guarantee does not extend beyond three academic years after the first year
- HSB 543 - Civics and History Required Courses - Amended to clarify that the American history course is to be a “comprehensive survey of all American history and government” and strikes the requirement that the Center for Civic Education be the entity that creates and offers the course.
- SF 2002 - Tuition Guarantee
- SF 2033 - Civics and History Required Courses
- SSB 3048 - Teacher Prep Programs and Licensing
- SSB 3049 - Articulation Agreements
Each week the spreadsheet below will be updated to show the latest action on the many bills that the Board of Regents staff is tracking throughout this session. Some of the below bills do not apply specifically to UNI, but we closely monitoring legislation all session that may affect our students, faculty, and campuses at all three institutions. We have been collaborating with lawmakers to ensure UNI’s voice is heard and will continue to advocate for initiatives that support our mission.
Bills that have passed committee in their respective chambers, eligible for floor debate:
| Bill Number | Bill Title | Notes | Latest Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF 2250 (previously HF 2012) | An Act authorizing resident students who are admitted to and in attendance in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to participate in the Iowa tuition grants program | PASSED committee 1/28 | |
| HF 2310 (previously HF 2057) | An Act providing a standing appropriation to the state board of regents for pediatric cancer research at the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| HF 2066 | An Act relating to the terms of service of certain statewide boards | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| HF 2226 (previously HSB 530) | An Act relating to the bachelor of science in nursing program at the university of Iowa, including priority for admission | PASSED committee 1/28 | |
| HF 2242 (previously HSB 531) | An Act prohibiting an increase in the amount of tuition and mandatory fees charged to resident undergraduate students at regents institutions for a period of time | PASSED committee 1/28 | |
| HF 2331 (previously HSB 532) | An Act relating to the university of Iowa college of law, including priority for admission | Amended in committee | PASSED committee 2/4 |
| HF 2245 (previously HSB 538) | An Act relating to selection committees for presidents of regents institutions | Amended in committee | PASSED committee 1/28 |
| HF 2241 (previously HSB 540) | An Act providing for partial liability of regents institutions for defaulted educational loans | Amended in committee | PASSED committee 1/28 |
| HF 2243 (previously HSB 541) | An Act requiring the state board of regents to submit a report to the general assembly and the governor related to establishing a performance-based funding model for the institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents | PASSED committee 1/28 | |
| HSB 543 | An Act relating to general education requirements, core curricula, other functions of regents institutions, and including applicability provisions | Amended in committee | PASSED committee 2/4 |
| HF 2339 (previously HSB 547) | An Act regarding student admission factors to regents universities | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| HSB 549 | An Act relating to tuition charged to resident undergraduate students enrolled at regents institutions | Amended in committee | PASSED committee 2/4 |
| HF 2230 (previously HSB 555) | An Act relating to teacher education and licensing, including by modifying provisions related to practitioner preparation programs and licenses issued by the board of educational examiners | PASSED committee 1/28 | |
| HF 2189 (previously HSB 567) | An Act relating to public improvement contracts, including notice requirements | PASSED committee 1/26 | |
| HF 2294 (previously HSB 580) | An Act relating to the filing of complaints with the Iowa public information board | PASSED committee 2/3 | |
| HF 2304 (previously HSB 642) | An Act relating to indirect costs charged to state-funded grants, and including applicability provisions | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| SF 487 | An Act relating to employer recordkeeping and auditing requirements for purposes of unemployment insurance and including applicability provisions. | PASSED committee 2/3 | |
| SF 2227 (previously SF 2002) | An Act relating to tuition charged to resident undergraduate students enrolled at regents institutions | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| SF 2033 | An Act relating to general education requirements, core curricula, other functions of regents institutions | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| SF 2207 (previously SF 2037) | An Act relating to the submission of proposed legislation by state departments and agencies | PASSSED committee 2/4 | |
| SF 2039 | An Act providing for intervention by members of the general assembly in proceedings for judicial review of agency action 3 under the Iowa administrative procedure Act | PASSED committee 1/27 | |
| SF 2199 (previously SSB 3013) | An Act relating to the ownership of artificial intelligence output and trained artificial intelligence | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| SF 2206 (previously SSB 3030) | An Act relating to contracts entered into by state agencies and including applicability provisions | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| SF 2222 (previously SSB 3048) | An Act relating to teacher education and licensing, including by modifying provisions related to practitioner preparation programs and licenses issued by the board of educational examiners | PASSED committee 2/4 | |
| SF 2223 (previously SSB 3049) | An Act relating to career education, including by modifying provisions related to career academies, the collective statewide articulation agreement between community colleges and the state board of regents, the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program, and individual career and academic plans | PASSED committee 2/4 |
Bills that have passed committee and were referred to another committee:
| Bill Number | Bill Title | Notes | Latest Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF 2240 (previously HSB 544) | An Act creating an endowment tax on the endowment value of certain Iowa colleges and universities, limited charges relating to certain endowment funds, making appropriations to workforce grant and incentive programs, and making appropriations to supplement tuition grants for high-wage and high-demand jobs | Amended in committee Sent to Ways and Means Committee | PASSED committee 1/28 In Ways and Means Committee |
Bills that have passed subcommittee, eligible for committee consideration:
| Bill Number | Bill Title | Notes | Latest Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF 2132 | A bill for an act providing for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities. | PASSED subcommittee 1/28 | |
| HF 2177 | A bill for an act providing paid leave to state employees for volunteer activities. | PASSED subcommittee 2/5 | |
| HSB 534 | An Act relating to postsecondary education institutions, including the membership and functions of the state board of regents and accreditation of public institutions of higher education | PASSED subcommittee 1/21 | |
| HSB 548 | An Act directing regents institutions to sign the federal Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education | PASSED subcommittee 2/4 | |
| HSB 550 | An Act providing for accreditation of regents institutions by the commission for public higher education | PASSED subcommittee 1/22 | |
| HSB 579 | An Act relating to paid parental leave for state employees | PASSSED subcommittee 2/4 | |
| HSB 607 | An Act repealing the board of regents’ minority and women educators enhancement program | PASSED subcommittee 1/29 | |
| HSB 609 | An Act modifying the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence | PASSED subcommittee 1/29 | |
| HSB 610 | An Act relating to computer science education, including high school curricula and graduation requirements, practitioner preparation programs, and college admissions, and including applicability provisions | PASSED subcommittee 1/28 | |
| HSB 634 | A bill for an act relating to the display of flags at half-staff on public buildings. | PASSED subcommittee 2/3 | |
| HSB 635 | An Act relating to the ownership of artificial intelligence output and trained artificial intelligence | PASSED subcommittee 2/5 | |
| HSB 646 | An Act requiring annual reports on antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts | PASSED subcommittee 2/4 | |
| HSB 652 | An Act relating to the confidentiality of peer support communications for public safety officers. | PASSED subcommittee 2/4 | |
| HSB 668 | An Act relating to state policies, programs, and licenses with race, gender, or citizenship requirements. | PASSED subcommittee 2/5 | |
| SF 2063 | An Act prohibiting courses and content relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory in general education requirements and core curricula at regents institutions | PASSED subcommittee 1/29 | |
| SF 2094 | An Act relating to computer science education, including high school curricula and graduation requirements, practitioner preparation programs, and college admissions, and including applicability provisions | PASSED subcommittee 1/28 | |
| SSB 3014 | An Act relating to the use of artificial intelligence systems and related software by state agencies for employment and other purposes | PASSED subcommittee 1/27 | |
| SSB 3032 | An Act relating to paid parental leave for state employees | PASSED subcommittee 1/20 | |
| SSB 3074 | A bill for an act relating to indirect costs charged to state-funded grants, and including applicability provisions. | PASSED subcommittee 1/29 |
Bills introduced that have had no action:
| Bill Number | Bill Title | Notes | Latest Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF 2026 | An Act relating to the display of flags on public schools and state-owned buildings | ||
| HF 2116 | A bill for an act relating to trainings and curricula regarding specific defined concepts provided by public institutions of higher education and school districts. | ||
| HF 2123 | A bill for an act relating to state entities, including by modifying provisions related to prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and officers and to trainings and curricula regarding specific defined concepts provided by school districts. | ||
| HF 2134 | A bill for an act relating to rental agreements and early termination rights of tenants who are victims of certain crimes | ||
| HF 2136 | A bill for an act relating to the confidentiality of library records of a minor | ||
| HF 2146 | A bill for an act relating to leaves of absence from civil public employment for members of the military | ||
| HF 2153 | A bill for an act requiring community colleges, school districts, and institutions under the control of the state board of regents to adopt policies related to the use of artificial intelligence by students and employees. | ||
| HF 2156 | A bill for an act relating to the eligibility of certain individuals employed by educational institutions for unemployment insurance benefits between two successive academic years or terms. | ||
| HF 2174 | A bill for an act providing for a task force to address legal services for indigent parties. | ||
| HF 2194 | A bill for an act relating to the membership of the Iowa law enforcement academy council. | ||
| HF 2225 | An Act creating a new graduate nonresident tuition tax credit available against the individual income tax. | ||
| HF 2258 | An Act relating to health insurance coverage for infertility | ||
| HF 2266 | An Act providing for family medical leave for grandparents | ||
| HF 2270 | An Act relating to standards and performance measures for public libraries. | ||
| HSB 535 | An Act prohibiting land acknowledgments by regents institutions | ||
| HSB 536 | An Act prohibiting regents institutions from entering into employment contracts with Chinese citizens holding certain visas | ||
| HSB 539 | An Act providing for a due process policy for faculty, staff, and students at regents institutions and for related disciplinary matters | Subcommittee TABLED the bill | |
| HSB 542 | An Act prohibiting courses and content relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory in general education requirements and core curricula at regents institutions | ||
| HSB 572 | An Act relating to career education, including by modifying provisions related to career academies, the collective statewide articulation agreement between community colleges and the state board of regents, the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program, and individual career and academic plans | ||
| HSB 578 | An Act relating to public notice requirements for meetings of a governmental body | ||
| HSB 583 | An Act relating to contracts entered into by state agencies and including applicability provisions | ||
| HSB 606 | An Act requiring reports to the general assembly regarding establishment of certain postsecondary student athletic programs | ||
| HSB 625 | A bill for an act relating to the peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights. | ||
| HSB 655 | An Act relating to reports on major maintenance projects for state infrastructure. | ||
| HSB 663 | An Act relating to qualifications for certain rights and privileges prescribed by the state, including state employment, professional licensure, voter registration, and bail. | ||
| HSB 675 | An Act relating to education programs and systems, including career and technical education expenditures and definitions, statewide lower division general education framework and common course numbering systems, and the implementation of a statewide corequisite model in Iowa community colleges. | ||
| SF 2031 | An Act relating to arbitrator awards concerning base wages in public employee collective bargaining and including effective date and applicability provisions | ||
| SF 2041 | An Act providing for payroll deduction for membership dues to an employee organization under public employee collective bargaining, and including applicability provisions | ||
| SF 2047 | An Act relating to insurance coverage for prescription insulin drugs | ||
| SF 2072 | A bill for an act relating to state entities, including by modifying provisions related to prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and officers and to trainings and curricula regarding specific defined concepts provided by school districts. | ||
| SF 2076 | A bill for an act relating to a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at accredited private institutions and regents institutions for students during student teaching experiences in the state. | ||
| SF 2106 | A bill for an act relating to residential rental property price fixing, and providing civil penalties. | ||
| SF 2119 | A bill for an act relating to obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions. | ||
| SF 2143 | A bill for an act relating to selection committees for presidents of regents institutions. | ||
| SF 2174 | An Act relating to trainings and curricula regarding specific defined concepts provided by public institutions of higher education and school districts. | ||
| SF 2194 | An Act relating to the peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights. | ||
| SF 2211 | A bill for an act relating to the Iowa medical freedom Act, including limitations on requiring medical interventions by businesses, governmental entities, and educational institutions, modifying state authority during public health disasters, and including effective date provisions. | ||
| SSB 3006 | An Act providing for career development information for students newly enrolling in institutions of higher education and including applicability provisions | ||
| SSB 3095 | A bill for an act requiring annual reports on antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts. | ||
| SSB 3103 | An Act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority, the utilities commission, and the department of education, including creation of the headquarters expansion and development for growth and employment program, and the business incentives for growth program training fund; repeal of the new jobs tax credit program; the major economic growth attraction program; load forecasting and analysis of electric transmission system expansion plans; creation of the electric transmission system expansion planning and analysis and load forecasting fund; the industrial new jobs training program. |