This week was an exciting one for community college advocacy at the Capitol. On Tuesday, we hosted our Student Legislative Seminar, where students learned how to be effective advocates and heard from Representative Megan Srinivas about her journey in public service and her legislative priorities. That evening, we celebrated the Phi Theta Kappa Awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements of some of the brightest community college students in Iowa. On Wednesday, we took our advocacy efforts to the next level with Community College Day on the Hill, where legislators had the chance to engage directly with students, faculty, and leaders. An impressive 96 legislators stopped by our booths, reinforcing the importance of community colleges in shaping Iowa’s workforce and economy. These conversations are crucial as new bills continue to emerge that could impact higher education funding, workforce training, and student success. We remain focused on tracking key legislation and ensuring that our community colleges have a strong voice in the policymaking process. Stay tuned for updates as the session progresses and more proposals move through the legislature.
NEW BILLS!
House Study Bill 212 strikes or repeals provisions, including but not limited to, provisions requiring the preparation of an affirmative action plan and submission of annual affirmative action reports by each state agency. Senate File 322 requires a public institution of higher education to establish as a requirement for the completion of any baccalaureate degree program that a student complete a survey course in American history and civil government. Senate File 335 relates to education, including by modifying provisions related to trainings and curricula provided by school districts and prohibited sexual orientation and gender identity instruction, and implementing prohibitions related to the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents, community colleges, and public schools. Senate File 369 requires students to pass the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Civics Test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas. Emily Shields, Executive Director, had this to say on SF 369: "Iowa's community colleges strongly support civic education at all levels. As providers of Iowa's adult literacy programs, including high school equivalency, we have concerns that an additional assessment would create new barriers for a population already struggling with access to education. We would support different strategies to increase civic competency that do not create new burdens that may result in lower completion rates." Senate File 370 relates to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours, school safety plans, and instruction related to the effects of social media in grades six through eight. Senate File 388 relates to public notice requirements for meetings of a governmental body. Senate File 389 relates to public records requests.
The 2025 legislative session is nearing a critical time frame as there are only two weeks left until the first funnel deadline, the first major legislative deadline of the year. A bill must pass out of a full committee in either chamber by March 7 to be eligible for further consideration this session. There are exceptions for ways & means, appropriations and a few other types of bills. There will be a second funnel deadline at the end of the first week of April. With more than 1,300 bills already filed, these cutoff points help narrow the focus and facilitate moving the Legislature towards adjournment, which is likely late April or early May.
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