This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., where I met with our federal delegation to discuss key issues impacting Iowa’s community colleges. While those conversations focused on national policy, back home in Iowa, lawmakers continue to introduce new bills that could shape the future of higher education. From workforce development initiatives to proposed changes in funding and governance, the state legislature is moving quickly on a range of education-related policies. As these bills make their way through committees, it’s crucial to analyze their potential impact on students, faculty, and institutions. Advocating at both the state and federal levels ensures that community colleges remain a priority in legislative discussions. We will continue tracking key legislation and engaging with lawmakers to support policies that strengthen access to education and workforce training. Stay tuned for updates as the session progresses.
NEW BILLS!
House File 271 establishes the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program scholarship program. House File 273 relates to student access to personal electronic devices in schools. House File 295 prohibits an accrediting agency from taking any adverse action against a public institution of higher education for complying with a state law or refusing to violate a state law. House File 299 relates to the provision of information relating to immunization exemptions. House File 340 allows a person to practice as a dental assistant without being registered by the dental board if the person completes a term of practical training under the supervision of a dentist. House Study Bill 152 concerns information regarding certain state and federal student loan programs and provides duties of the bureau of Iowa college aid of the department of education, the Iowa student loan liquidity corporation, and certain institutions of higher education in Iowa. House Study Bill 155 prohibits state entities, defined to include local government entities, from expending moneys to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or to hire individuals to serve as diversity, equity, and inclusion officers. Senate File 244 requires the state board of regents to develop and adopt a policy establishing general education requirements for undergraduate students. Senate File 283 requires the college student aid commission, in consultation with the division of vocational rehabilitation services of the department of workforce development, to develop and administer a scholarship program to provide scholarships to individuals with intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities who are at least 18 years of age and who are enrolled in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program in this state that has been approved by the United States department of education, to help offset the cost associated with the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program's tuition and fees, if moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for a fiscal year for this purpose. Senate File 288 relates to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend community colleges. Senate Resolution 2 designates February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.
On Monday, Governor Reynolds held a press conference where she signed an executive order creating an Iowa DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). The task force will have three goals, which are to "maximize return on taxpayer investment, further refine workforce and job training programs and leveraging technology such as artificial intelligence". Read more from here. You can view the Executive Order here.
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