This week at the Capitol has been a whirlwind of activity as legislative work ramps up. I attended five subcommittee meetings, engaging in discussions on key bills impacting education and workforce development. Additionally, I participated in the House Education Committee meeting to stay updated on policy priorities shaping Iowa’s future. These conversations highlight the importance of advocating for community colleges and ensuring their needs are well-represented. Stay tuned for updates on the bills we’re watching and their potential impact on our institutions and students.
NEW BILLS!
Both national guard service scholarship bills were renumbered as HF 117 and HF 118 after committee passage and await debate on the floor, potentially as early as today; they have also introduced a companion to HF 118 in the Senate (SSB 1049). HSB 56 is a new bill that 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; a subcommittee was held on this bill Tuesday. HSB 57 is a new bill that 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; a subcommittee was held on this bill yesterday morning. HSB 61 is a new bill that provides that a public institution of higher education for purposes of Code chapter 261J, relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, includes a community college; a subcommittee was held on this bill yesterday afternoon. Community Colleges for Iowa is putting out this statement in response to the bill: Iowa’s community colleges look forward to continued discussions with lawmakers on how to best meet our mission of educating anyone who is willing to be educated, no matter their background, ability, belief system, or identity. We use data to meet each student where they are and offer the services and support they individually need to be successful. As public institutions we comply with federal and state laws. Our good work produces good results every day. We are grateful for the open dialogue we have had about how to achieve this while not pursing specific ideologies or inflaming political tensions. We will continue to review our programs, policies, and practices to ensure they align with our mission and legislative expectations.
HSB 63 creates a new set of general education standards for the Iowa Board of Regents to implement at state universities, which includes requirements to take courses in English and composition, math and statistics, natural and social sciences, a world language, the humanities, Western heritage and American heritage; we are tracking this bill for its potential impacts on the community college academic requirements. HSB 68, previously a pre-filed bill, related to IWD programs and duties, specifically AEL provisions, will have a subcommittee meeting next Monday. HSB 75, previously a pre-filed bill, relates to open meeting notice requirements and is scheduled for a subcommittee meeting tomorrow morning. HSB 76, previously a pre-filed bill, relates to public records requests. HSB 77, previously a pre-filed bill, relates to PERB and is scheduled for a subcommittee meeting this afternoon. HSB 78 is a new bill that relates to government employee paid leave; this bill had a subcommittee meeting yesterday afternoon. SF 78 is a new bill that relates to certain specified skill trades, including modifying provisions related to IWD internship programs, the Iowa summer youth corps program, college student aid commission programs, the senior year plus program, the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics within the innovation division of the department of education, and curricula provided in school district, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools to include skilled trades. SF 94, previously a pre-filed bill, focuses on SOS duties and has been assigned a subcommittee. SF 134 is a new bill that requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees based on pregnancy or childbirth. SF 137 is a new bill that relates to short course law enforcement training requirements. SSB 1042 is a new bill that prohibits a political subdivision from using moneys received from the imposition of a tax to employ or compensate a lobbyist and a subcommittee meeting was held yesterday morning.
Additionally, yesterday morning Community Colleges for Iowa Executive Director and Indian Hills Community College President met with the Higher Education Committee to give a presentation on behalf of the Committee Chair, Taylor Collins. He requested the presentation be centered on community college bachelor degrees and their feasibility based on national trends. Shortly after the Committee meeting, Representative Collins sent out a press release directed to the Community College Presidents and Trustees. "The 21st century workplace increasingly demands education including and beyond the associate degree level, particularly in applied and technical fields. There is unmet demand for baccalaureate education in specific disciplines, especially in rural Iowa and industries not adequately served by Iowa's public and private four-year institutions. Iowa's community colleges are uniquely positioned to address gaps in workforce training and education by potentially offering baccalaureate degrees in select high-demand fields. That is why today, I am requesting Iowa's Community Colleges conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of establishing baccalaureate degree programs at Iowa's community colleges." The letter then goes on listing a number of components to be studied along with a deadline of May for an interim report and October for a final report. We may be reaching out to various leadership workgroups on some of the components this summer. For any questions, please reach out to myself or Emily Shields.
For more information or to stay up-to-date, on our bill watch, click here!