Feb 05, 2024

This Week in the Statehouse- Weeks 3 and 4

After a relatively quiet first two weeks of session, weeks three and four were full of subcommittee and committee meetings. With first funnel approaching, legislators push to see their priorities through the process prior to the first big deadline of the session. While legislation from committee chairs, individual members of the House and Senate, the Governor's office, and state agencies and departments continue to be filed daily, first funnel is February 16th and bills need to make it through the committee process prior to this date to remain eligible. This link will provide a complete list of bills the Board of Regents are tracking (in the box marked as lobbyist type in Jillian Carlson or in the client box type in Iowa Board of Regents).

Action on Notable Bills

  • SF 2195 made it through the subcommittee and committee process during week 4 and is now floor eligible. The bill relates to literacy instruction and adds certain elements related to the "science of reading" teacher preparation programs must include in their instruction. The bill also prohibits teacher preparation programs from teaching certain methods of literacy instruction, such as the three-cueing system. 
  • HF 255 passed Senate subcommittee and is now eligible to be considered by the full Senate Education committee. The bill outlines requirements for programs offered by institutions of higher education designed to help a student obtain a teacher intern license through an alternative licensure pathway. The bill also includes parameters for other organizations who offer alternative teacher certification programs, such as the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, creating a pathway for these organizations to enter the state. 
  • The Governor's proposed bills, HSB 542 and SSB 3073, which reform the state's AEA system were both considered by subcommittees in the House and Senate this week. The Senate subcommittee recommended the bill be passed on to the full Senate Education committee for consideration while the House tabled the bill for further discussion. 

  • HF 2128 passed both the House subcommittee and committee meetings held on it. The bill requires students to submit proof of citizenship in order to be eligible for in-state tuition at the regents institutions and Iowa community colleges. The bill is eligible for floor debate. 

    Upcoming Dates

  • February 5– UNI’s team presents to the House Transportation Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee
  • February 12– President Nook, along with President Wintersteen (ISU) and President Wilson (UI), present to the Education Appropriations Subcommittee and UNI's Business and Community Services presents to the House Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee
  • February 16- First Funnel Deadline- Bills not reported out of their originating committee by this date are no longer eligible for consideration (does not apply to budget, tax or oversight bills)
  • March 5 –UNI Day on the Hill 
  • March 15 – Second Funnel – House bills not passed out of Senate committees and Senate bills not passed out of House committees are no longer eligible for consideration (does not apply to budget, tax or oversight bills)
  • April 16– 100th Calendar Day (lawmaker per diem expenses end)