All Roll Calls
Yes: 97 • No: 47
IowaHF 29591st General Assembly (2025–2026)House
A bill for an act relating to accreditation of postsecondary educational institutions, prohibiting adverse action by accrediting agencies against certain postsecondary educational institutions for compliance with state law, providing remedies, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 57.) Effective date: 05/06/2025.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Signed by Governor
education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Broader college eligibility for tuition grants
Beginning May 6, 2025, Iowa tuition grant rules accept any federally recognized college accreditor, not just the Higher Learning Commission. The nonprofit eligibility path still requires federal tax-exempt status, matching student aid, and annual reports before receiving grant funds. The aid match starts at 75% of students’ Iowa tuition grants. Since July 1, 2006, that match rises with percentage increases in state grant funding, capped at 100%. A separate path covers specialized colleges offering health professional programs affiliated with Iowa health care systems.
Iowa broadens community college accreditor choices
Beginning May 6, 2025, Iowa coordinates community college program accreditation with a federally recognized accreditor chosen by the State Board of Education. This replaces the required use of the Higher Learning Commission’s process. The state process still must include Iowa’s community college standards and address state needs the accreditor’s process leaves unmet.
More colleges qualify for emergency training
Beginning May 6, 2025, Iowa colleges approved by any federally recognized college accreditor can qualify as emergency medical care training programs. The law also recognizes training through authorized Iowa hospitals, medical care ambulance services, and nontransport services. Establishing these programs requires department authorization for training leading to emergency medical care provider certification.
Public colleges gain protection from accreditors
Beginning May 6, 2025, nongovernmental accreditors cannot penalize Iowa regents-governed institutions or community colleges for following Iowa law or refusing to violate it. The ban applies when that conduct is part or all of the reason for the penalty. Affected institutions can sue for a court order stopping the violation and damages equal to their previous academic year’s federal financial aid. They can also recover court costs and reasonable attorney fees. Iowa’s Attorney General can bring the lawsuit.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 32 • No: 15
House vote • 3/18/2025
Passed House
Yes: 65 • No: 32
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
5/6/2025HouseReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
5/6/2025HouseMessage from Senate.
4/17/2025HouseImmediate message.
4/17/2025SenatePassed Senate, yeas 32, nays 15.
4/17/2025SenatePlaced on calendar under unfinished business.
4/10/2025SenatePlaced on calendar.
4/7/2025legislatureCommittee report, recommending passage.
4/7/2025SenateSubcommittee recommends passage.
4/1/2025legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 04/01/2025 8:30AM Room 315.
3/31/2025legislatureSubcommittee: Gruenhagen, Taylor, and Winckler.
3/26/2025SenateRead first time, referred to Education.
3/19/2025SenateMessage from House.
3/19/2025SenateImmediate message.
3/18/2025HouseExplanation of vote.
3/18/2025HousePassed House, yeas 65, nays 32.
3/18/2025HouseIntroduced, placed on calendar.
2/10/2025House
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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