All Roll Calls
Yes: 144 • No: 120
IowaSF 223191st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the protected speech and expression rights of students, modifying provisions related to the duties of the department of education, and modifying eligibility and participation requirements for certain education programs, preschool programs, and tax provisions, providing civil penalties, and including retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SF 2060.) Effective date: 07/01/2026. Applicability date: 01/01/2026.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Signed by Governor
educationways and means
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger speech protections for Iowa students
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa districts and covered charter schools must protect students' religious, political, and ideological expression. Schools cannot penalize protected viewpoints in class, assignments, or student clubs; ordinary academic standards still apply. Districts must adopt policies and certify compliance annually, while state officials provide annual federal guidance, training, and a model policy. Individuals and clubs can seek court orders, damages, legal fees, and costs; prevailing student organizations can receive civil penalties of at least $5,000. Claims have a two-year deadline, with each day of an ongoing violation starting a new claim period. Districts cannot claim sovereign immunity for covered violations and consent to federal court suits. Schools retain authority to restrict unprotected speech, severe and pervasive harassment, and substantial disruption.
More community preschool choices for families
Beginning July 1, 2026, districts must sign agreements when community providers request to join approved local preschool programs. Eligible four-year-olds in child care centers, development homes, and existing preschools can receive services through these agreements. Agreements cannot cap the number of eligible children served. Providers must meet applicable local program requirements, but rules that unduly burden participation are invalid. Accepting preschool foundation aid does not let governments require changes to providers' admissions or educational standards.
More school expenses qualify for families
For tax years beginning January 1, 2026, or later, Iowa's tuition and textbook tax credit covers more qualifying expenses. The definitions include extracurricular materials and expenses and no longer exclude otherwise qualifying religious instruction or materials. Expenses must still meet the credit's definitions and relate to subjects legally and commonly taught in Iowa public schools. These changes apply retroactively; they do not establish a new credit amount or calculation formula.
Broader textbook aid for nonpublic students
Beginning July 1, 2026, state textbook aid for accredited nonpublic school pupils can cover religious as well as nonreligious books. Aid depends on legislative funding, and textbooks remain available by written request on terms comparable to public school pupils. Schools must certify enrollment by October 1; only Iowa residents count, and funding follows each school's share of participating enrollment. The Department of Education must certify funding amounts to state administrative officials by November 1. When a participating school moves districts, its purchased books and unspent current-year funds transfer to the new district.
Religious college courses open to students
Beginning July 1, 2026, covered high school college-credit programs allow religious courses, including through concurrent enrollment. Students must meet application and enrollment requirements, and their district or accredited nonpublic school must not offer a comparable course. The district-to-community-college sharing program serves eligible resident students in grades 9–12. Colleges must give written course, clock-hour, and credit information; districts must notify students and parents and include registration information.
Religious education property gains financing access
Beginning July 1, 2026, religious use no longer excludes otherwise qualifying property from Iowa's education-project financing program. Property used mainly for religious teaching, worship, or training can qualify. Applicants must still satisfy the program's other project requirements. The law guarantees no financing and sets no loan amount.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/20/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 28 • No: 16
House vote • 4/8/2026
Passed House
Yes: 63 • No: 25
legislature vote • 4/8/2026
Motion to suspend rules for immediate consideration of amendment H-8313
Yes: 23 • No: 65
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 30 • No: 14
Actions Timeline
Fiscal note.
5/22/2026legislatureSigned by Governor.
5/19/2026SenateReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/5/2026SenateMessage from Senate.
4/20/2026HouseImmediate message.
4/20/2026SenatePassed Senate, yeas 28, nays 16.
4/20/2026SenateSenate concurred with S-5177.
4/20/2026SenateFiscal note.
4/20/2026legislatureExplanation of vote.
4/14/2026HouseExplanation of vote.
4/14/2026HouseExplanation of vote.
4/14/2026HouseMessage from House, with amendment S-5177.
4/9/2026SenateImmediate message.
4/8/2026HousePassed House, yeas 63, nays 25.
4/8/2026HouseMotion to suspend rules failed.
4/8/2026HouseMotion to suspend rules for immediate consideration of amendment H-8313, yeas 23, nays 65.
4/8/2026HousePoint of order raised on Amendment H-8313, ruled not germane.
4/8/2026HouseAmendments H-8310, H-8311, H-8312 withdrawn.
4/8/2026HouseAmendment H-8316 adopted.
4/8/2026HouseAmendment H-8268 adopted, as amended.
4/8/2026HouseMotion to suspend rules prevailed.
4/8/2026HouseMotion to suspend rules for immediate consideration of amendment H-8268, as amended, yeas 64, nays 24.
4/8/2026HousePoint of order raised on amendment H-8268, as amended, ruled not germane.
4/8/2026HouseAmendment H-8309 to amendment H-8268 withdrawn.
4/8/2026HouseAmendment H-8308 to amendment H-8268 out of order.
4/8/2026House
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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