HF 2080 – Operational Sharing Weighting: This bill increases the operational sharing supplementary weighting of superintendents from 8 pupils to 9 pupils. The change ensures that districts can reach the maximum of 21 for purposes of shared operational positions and incentives. The bill adds School Resource Officers (SRO) as a shared position. 

A district can receive weighting if they share a person with another school district even if they are not in the same position if both functions are eligible for weighting. Both positions do not have to be eligible for sharing incentives if the school district is sharing an employee who is a special education director. 

IASB registered in support of the bill as it fixes an issue from last year’s operational sharing weighting legislation that made it impossible for some districts to reach the maximum of 21 for operational sharing positions. The bill passed the House by a vote of 87-1 and passed the Senate by a vote of 45-0. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on June 13, 2022. 

HF 2316 – Supplemental State Aid: This bill sets the supplemental state aid (SSA) rate at 2.5%, decreases the district cost per pupil inequity by $5 and provides money to bring districts down to the statewide average in transportation costs. The bill also extends the property tax replacement payment to school districts.  

IASB registered neutral on the bill as the amount of increase is not sufficient for the increased costs districts are facing but are supportive of the provisions to close the cost per pupil and transportation inequities. The bill passed the House by a vote of 57-39 and passed the Senate by a vote of 31-17. Governor Reynolds signed the bill on February 17, 2022. 

HF 771 – Self- Administration and Storage of Bronchodilators: This bill adds bronchodilators to the definition of medication that can be self-administered by students. The bill requires the same requirements to be met for the self-administration or use of bronchodilator canisters with or without a spacer by students as already required for epi pens. The bill expands the ability of licensed health care professionals to prescribe bronchodilator canisters and spacers to be stored at schools and allows authorized personnel to administer bronchodilators. 

IASB registered opposed to the bill because it puts districts, and specifically school nurses, in the position of making decisions about administering medication to students without a doctor’s note or parental permission. The bill passed the House by a vote of 95-0 last session and passed the Senate by a vote of 44-0. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on June 14, 2022. 

HF 2165 – Eligibility for Last Dollar Scholar: This bill expands the eligibility to a person who is an adult learner and is enrolled on a part time basis in an eligible institution to receive the Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholar. Currently, a student who is enrolled part-time is not eligible. 

IASB registered in support of the bill to allow more people to be eligible for the grant. The bill passed the House by a vote of 77-12 and passed the Senate by a vote of 44-0. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on June 13, 2022. 

HF 2298 – COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements: This bill prohibits requiring a person, whether attending in-person or virtual, to get a COVID-19 vaccination before enrolling in a licensed childcare center, elementary or high school, or postsecondary school prior to July 1, 2029. 

• A student or district suffers direct or indirect harm because of complying with the bill they would have the right for legal action  

• Prohibits a governmental entity from investigating a complaint or taking negative action against a district or employee for complying with the law  

• Provide immunity to a district from liability to any student for complying with the law  

• Requires the Attorney General to provide legal representation at no cost for the district if they are sued for complying with the law, and assumes all costs for any expense related to the lawsuit or complaint  

• Includes Regents Universities and Community Colleges  

IASB registered in opposition to the legislation because it puts districts in the untenable position of having to decide whether to comply with state law or the federal executive order that prohibits discrimination based on gender. The bill passed the House by a vote of 55-39. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 31-17. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on March 3, 2022.  

HF 2573 – School Personnel Administering Narcan: This bill aims at reducing opioid use but includes provisions relating to the administration and storage of Narcan by school personnel. The bill adds “school employee” as someone eligible to administer opioid antagonists. School districts can obtain a prescription for Narcan and maintain a supply in a secure location in a building where a student may need this medication. 

IASB registered neutral on the bill because districts have the option to get a prescription for the medication. The bill passed the House by a vote of 91-4 and passed the Senate by a vote of 44-0. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on June 13, 2022.

SF 183 – Construction Manager At-Risk: This bill allows government entities (schools included) to use guaranteed maximum price contracts for public improvement projects by using a construction manager at-risk. Governmental entities cannot use a design-build contract for the construction of public improvement projects. 

IASB is registered neutral on the bill because it takes some risk and responsibility away from districts, but we have concerns about the process and how it impacts districts’ decision-making. The bill passed the House by a vote of 53-44, after previously passing the Senate last session by a vote of 28-19.  Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on June 14, 2022. 

SF 2266 – IPERS Retirement Income Cap & School Board Member Compensation: This bill raises the earnings limitations for retired IPERS recipients (including teachers) from $30,000 to $50,000 to help encourage more retired teachers to come back into the profession to fill shortages in classrooms. The bill also increases the compensation amount a school board member can earn from a school district from $6,000 to $20,000 a year, granted there is not a conflict of interest.   

IASB registered in support of the bill because this has been a collective effort between all education organizations to help meet the need of getting more teachers into the classroom. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 49-0. The bill passed the House by a vote of 98-0. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on March 23, 2022. 

• A person would receive a provisional license if they did not have the proper scope of work until they took the necessary requirements to get a full license. 

• An individual can receive a license without an exam if they meet all requirements outlined by the BOEE  

• Requires the BOEE to waive the fee for a first-time applicant in Iowa for licensure if their household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty line (language eliminated in HF 2575) 

• Requires the BOEE to waive an initial application fee and one renewal fee for an applicant that has been honorably or generally discharged from the military  

• Waives fees for a veteran with at least a 25% disability connected to service 

IASB is registered neutral on bill as the provisions will help students with finding a career path, and getting teachers licensed in a streamlined manner. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 48-0 and passed the House by a vote of 70-24. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on June 16, 2022. 

Bills Vetoed by the Governor 

HF 2493 – Para- Educator Licenses: This bill allows a school district to hire a para-educator as a substitute teacher in any classroom in grades PK-12, excluding a driver’s education class for the 2021-22 school year. Before hiring the para, the district must make a good-faith effort to hire a substitute teacher, who is not a para-educator for the position. The para must receive the higher amount of either the district’s substitute rate or the para-educator’s rate of pay. 

IASB registered in favor of this bill because it sunsets the governor’s emergency rule at the end of the school year because this should not be a long-term solution to substitute shortages. The bill passed the House by a vote of 96-0. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 47-0. Governor Reynolds vetoed the bill saying that districts still want and need this flexibility.