Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF171

Introduced

1/30/25

Engrossed

2/18/25

Enrolled

3/11/25

Passed

3/12/25

Caption

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the effective date of school district enlargements, reorganizations, changes in boundaries, and dissolutions, and including retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SF 16.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 01/01/2025.

Impact

One notable implication of SF171 is its retroactive applicability, which applies back to January 1, 2025. This could potentially affect any pending alterations to the status of school districts that may have been initiated before this legislative change. By establishing a uniform approach to implementation dates, the bill is intended to simplify the understanding of timelines for all stakeholders involved, including educational administrators, parents, and community members.

Summary

Senate File 171 (SF171) is a legislative measure aimed at modifying the effective dates for school district enlargements, reorganizations, boundary changes, and dissolutions in Iowa. The bill sets a clear distinction: propositions approved by voters before January 1, 2025, will have their changes take effect on July 1 following the election, whereas those approved on or after this date will take effect on the next July 1 after the election year. This change seeks to standardize the application of these modifications and address timing issues with school district transitions.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding this bill is generally supportive, as it seeks to promote clarity and predictability within the education system in Iowa. Members of the legislature have largely articulated the need for streamlined processes in school district governance. This reflects a broader concern for organizational efficiency within school systems, especially looking forward to the impact on students and educational outcomes.

Contention

While there appears to be consensus on the need for clearer guidelines, discussions have raised points of contention regarding the retroactive effect of the bill and whether it adequately balances the needs of local school districts with the overarching requirements set by the state. Critics may argue that the rigid frameworks introduced could limit the flexibility that districts historically enjoyed when responding to local needs, especially in times of expected demographic changes.

Latest IA SF171 Activity

View All Events: IA 2025-2026 Regular Session SF171

Companion Bills

IA HF10

Similar To A bill for an act relating to the attachment of the territory of a school district that is subject to an approved dissolution proposal, and including applicability provisions.(See HF 174.)

IA SF16

Similar To A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the effective date of school district enlargements, reorganizations, changes in boundaries, and dissolutions, and including retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 171.)

IA HF174

Previously Filed As

IA SF565

A bill for an act relating to state and local finance and the administration of the tax and related laws by the department of revenue, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1148.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023, 01/01/2024, 01/01/2026. Applicability date: 01/01/2023, 07/01/2024.

IA HF567

A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 159.) Contingent effective date. Applicability date: 01/01/2022, 01/01/2023.

IA SF549

A bill for an act relating to captive insurance companies, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly SF 509, SF 424.) Effective date: 07/01/2023, 01/01/2025. Applicability date: 01/01/2025.

IA SF2405

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the distribution formula for general state financial aid to community colleges and including applicability provisions. (Formerly SF 2373, SSB 3164.) Effective date: 07/01/2024. Applicability date: 07/01/2025.

IA HF714

A bill for an act relating to construction projects transporting electricity and water and including retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 246.) Effective date: 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 09/01/2020.

IA HF710

A bill for an act relating to the endow Iowa tax credit, making appropriations, and including retroactive applicability and effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 673, HSB 122.) Effective date: 06/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/01/2023.

IA SF2252

A bill for an act relating to the more options for maternal support program, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3114.) Effective date: 04/10/2024. Applicability date: 07/01/2022.

IA SF578

A bill for an act relating to state finances, including by making, modifying, limiting, or reducing appropriations, distributions, or transfers, authorizing expenditure of certain unappropriated moneys, making corrections, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1222.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 03/28/2023, 09/18/2023.

IA HF541

A bill for an act relating to the tax certification deadline for sanitary districts and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 416.) Effective date: 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.

IA HF2262

A bill for an act relating to money transmission services, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 601.) Effective date: 04/10/2024. Applicability date: 07/01/2023.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.