Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB329

Introduced

4/14/25

Refer

4/14/25

Caption

A bill for an act providing for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions and community colleges for peace officers and their legal dependents and making appropriations.

Impact

The introduction of HSB329 is expected to create a new financial avenue for aspiring peace officers and their families, enhancing the educational opportunities available for these groups. The bill establishes a reimbursement fund to cover the costs of the waivers, funded by a new surcharge imposed on traffic law citations issued through automated systems. This shift aims to alleviate financial burdens on institutions providing education while supporting the ongoing professional development of law enforcement personnel.

Summary

House Study Bill 329 (HSB329) aims to provide tuition and mandatory fee waivers for peace officers and their legal dependents attending institutions of higher education in Iowa. The bill mandates that community colleges and regents institutions waive these costs for eligible peace officers, who must be Iowa residents, certified by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, and pursuing relevant degrees. Legal dependents of peace officers are also eligible for similar waivers under specific conditions, such as agreeing to reside in Iowa for five years post-degree completion.

Contention

Notably, the bill has provisions that require legal dependents to repay the waived tuition if they fail to comply with residency requirements. Additionally, this legislation can be seen as part of broader discussions on the state's commitment to supporting law enforcement, which has become a contentious topic in recent years. Advocates argue that this support is vital for recruitment and retention in vital public safety roles, while critics may raise concerns about the implications of prioritizing funding for law enforcement education over other pressing educational needs.

Latest IA HSB329 Activity

View All Events: IA 2025-2026 Regular Session HSB329

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SF336

A bill for an act requiring that regents universities and community colleges waive a percentage of the tuition and mandatory fees for children of veterans with service-connected disabilities.

IA HF2352

A bill for an act relating to the amount of tuition and mandatory fees charged by institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents and making appropriations.

IA SF2020

A bill for an act relating to the waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees charged to certain specified first responders and dependents of such first responders who are enrolled in institutions of higher education under the state board of regents.

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 HF2128

A bill for an act requiring proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the country for a student to be classified for in-state tuition and fees at a regents institution or community college.(See HF 2320.)

IA HF2320

IA HF662

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 126.)

IA HSB126

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 HF2505

A bill for an act relating to state services and benefits provided to veterans, including state grants, public assistance programs, business fee waivers, substance use disorder programs, mental health and disability services, undergraduate tuition and fees, disabled veteran tax credits, department of natural resources' licenses and fees, civil litigation priority, vehicle registration fees, and driver's licenses, making penalties applicable, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.