Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF194

Introduced

2/3/25

Refer

2/3/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the membership of the board of regents and including transition provisions.

Impact

By shifting to an elected board, HF194 alters the governance dynamics of Iowa's higher education oversight. It establishes guidelines for staggered six-year terms for board members elected from specific congressional districts and at-large, enhancing representation of diverse stakeholder interests. The bill empowers local voters, allowing them to select their representatives directly, thereby increasing accountability among board members. This could lead to greater responsiveness to local educational needs compared to the previous appointment system dominated by gubernatorial influence.

Summary

House File 194, introduced by Representative Jacoby, proposes significant changes related to the membership structure of the Iowa Board of Regents. Currently, the board comprises nine members appointed by the governor, with only one student member. The bill aims to transition to a model where eight members are elected on a nonpartisan basis during regular school elections. The proposal specifies electoral representation across Iowa's congressional districts, creating a more democratic process for board membership while ensuring local representation in governance decisions affecting higher education.

Contention

One notable point of contention in the discussions surrounding HF194 relates to concerns over the possible politicization of the Board of Regents. Critics argue that changing to an electoral model could introduce partisan interests into higher education governance, which might undermine the board's effectiveness and independence. Proponents counter that nonpartisan elections, as proposed, will mitigate this risk while simultaneously enhancing democratic engagement in education policy. The transition provisions in the bill, which include a defined path for current appointees, further underscore the complexities involved in implementing this substantial governance shift.

Latest IA HF194 Activity

View All Events: IA 2025-2026 Regular Session HF194

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF2558

A bill for an act relating to higher education, including by modifying the responsibilities of private institutions of higher education, community colleges, the state board of regents, and institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents, modifying provisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, tuition, and administrator hiring at state universities, membership of the state board of regents, and student-employer work and tuition programs at state universities and community colleges, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 2327.)

IA HF2327

A bill for an act relating to higher education, including diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, tuition, and administrator hiring at state universities, membership of the state board of regents, and student-employer work and tuition programs at state universities and community colleges.(See HF 2558.)

IA SSB3172

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions.(See SF 2385.)

IA HSB710

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including transition provisions.(See HF 2574.)

IA HF2574

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including transition provisions.(Formerly HSB 710.)

IA SF2385

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions. (Formerly SSB 3172.) Effective date: 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

IA HF2193

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa school for the deaf and providing transition provisions.

IA HF2704

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA HF2610

A bill for an act relating to the duties of the secretary of state, including the address confidentiality program and the conduct of elections, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 697.)

IA HF2385

A bill for an act relating to the automatic mailing of ballots, and including applicability provisions.

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