IA
Iowa House Bill HSB713

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB713

Introduced
2/14/24  
Introduced
2/14/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to area education agencies, including modifying provisions related to the duties and powers of area education agencies, oversight by the department of education, funding, shared operational functions, and establishing a task force related to area education agency property and operations, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2612.)

Impact

One of the prominent impacts of HSB713 is the modification of funding structures for AEAs. The bill eliminates the existing method of funding transfers to area education agencies, placing more financial responsibility on local school districts. Beginning July 1, 2025, funding for educational services and special education support services will be reallocated, with districts allowed to use unreserved fund balances for specific educational services. This shift may lead to both opportunities and challenges for districts trying to maintain funding for essential services.

Summary

HSB713 is a legislative proposal aimed at reforming the duties and powers of area education agencies (AEAs) in Iowa. The bill includes significant changes to the oversight structure by placing these agencies under the direct supervision of the Department of Education (DE) starting July 1, 2025. This includes the establishment of new standards for AEAs to comply with federal and state laws pertaining to special education services, which is a critical area of focus due to the increasing demand for quality educational support for students with disabilities.

Contention

The bill has generated discussion regarding the implications of centralizing oversight and funding of AEAs. Supporters argue that this will streamline operations and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, thereby improving accountability. However, critics express concerns about the potential reduction of local control and flexibility of AEAs to respond to the unique needs of their communities, particularly in how they deliver special education services. Furthermore, the creation of a task force to study and recommend future modifications to the AEAs indicates that stakeholders will be involved in ongoing discussions about their structure and operations.

Latest HSB713 Activity

Companion Bills

IA HF2612

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the duties and powers of area education agencies, the membership of the boards of directors of area education agencies, the department of education, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil and minimum teacher salaries, Iowa public employees' retirement system bona fide retirement requirements, and property tax replacement payments, establishing the state percent of growth and the categorical state percent of growth for supplemental state aid calculations for the budget year beginning July 1, 2024, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 713.) Effective date: 03/27/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

Similar Bills

IA HF2612

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the duties and powers of area education agencies, the membership of the boards of directors of area education agencies, the department of education, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil and minimum teacher salaries, Iowa public employees' retirement system bona fide retirement requirements, and property tax replacement payments, establishing the state percent of growth and the categorical state percent of growth for supplemental state aid calculations for the budget year beginning July 1, 2024, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 713.) Effective date: 03/27/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

IA SF2386

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the duties and powers of area education agencies, the department of education, the department of administrative services, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil and the minimum teacher starting salary, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3073.)

IA HSB542

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative services, the director of the department of education, the division of special education within the department of education, the services provided by area education agencies, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, and minimum teacher salaries, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.

IA SSB3073

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative services, the director of the department of education, the division of special education within the department of education, the services provided by area education agencies, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, and minimum teacher salaries, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.(See SF 2386.)

IA HF914

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the duties and powers of area education agencies, the department of education, and area education agency funding, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA HF623

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(Formerly HSB 145.)

IA SF445

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services, making appropriations and reducing appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1135.)

IA SSB1135

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See SF 445.)