The Iowa Legislature sent the first bill to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk last week. One, the governor's own proposal to strengthen enforcement of restrictions on foreign ownership of farmland, received bipartisan support in the Legislature. Another bill would eliminate gender balance requirements for government boards and commissions. A Republican-backed bill, Iowa's version of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, also awaits Reynolds' signature. Democrats argued the bill opens the door to discrimination. The governor will likely sign all three bills.
The Iowa House also passed proposed changes to Iowa's local education agencies. This bill replaces Reynolds' proposal to overhaul the AEA. Under the House plan, school districts would continue to use AEA for special education services, but it could eventually be taken out of the system for other purposes, such as media services. Unlike the governor's bill, it would not reduce funding from the AEA system.
The House also passed other education-related bills last week, including a cap on tuition increases at public universities, DEI restrictions, new requirements for social studies classes and a bill that would make it easier to arm school employees.
A bill to require employers to use the federal government's E-Verify system to verify the immigration status of new hires has advanced in the Senate. The Legislature also passed a bill that would prohibit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from purchasing land at auction for public use.
To read more about what happened at the Iowa State Capitol this week, go to Follow our live blog Sign up for IPR's weekly newsletter. political sensestate legislative updates sent straight to your inbox.
