IA
Iowa Senate Bill SSB1231

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1231

Introduced
4/28/25  

Caption

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, and including contingent effective date provisions.

Impact

By providing targeted funding, SSB1231 aims to enhance educational quality and accessibility across Iowa. The bill outlines necessary appropriations for various educational programs and emphasizes the need for early intervention in areas such as literacy development and health support for children. In particular, funding for the program addressing the needs of at-risk children will potentially reduce educational disparities and improve outcomes for these vulnerable populations. Additionally, the establishment of a court reporter equipment grant program within this bill indicates a focus on specific vocational education support as well.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1231 (SSB1231) proposes a series of appropriations to key components of Iowa's education system for the fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill allocates funds for the administration and operational expenses of the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. These appropriations cover a wide range of educational initiatives, including general administration, career and technical education, and special programs aimed at enhancing education for disadvantaged students. The bill includes specific provisions for funding early head start projects and programs designed to boost student achievement, particularly in literacy and mental health services.

Contention

While the bill has broad support for its educational goals, it is not without points of contention. Critics may raise concerns regarding the adequacy of funding for key programs, especially those benefiting underserved communities. The decision to eliminate funding for the work-study program could face pushback from advocates who argue that work-study options provide essential opportunities for students to gain real-world experience and reduce future student debt. Balancing the fixed funding limits while addressing the diverse needs of Iowa's education system remains a central challenge as the bill progresses.

Latest SSB1231 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SSB1233

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch.

IA SSB3203

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch, including by modifying the judicial retirement fund and membership of district judicial nominating commissions, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2436.)

IA SSB3200

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the justice system.(See SF 2434.)

IA SSB1232

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the justice system.

IA SSB3201

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, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2435.)

IA SSB1236

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and the state board of regents and certain regents institutions.

IA SSB3198

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, the Iowa finance authority, the public employment relations board, the department of workforce development, and the state board of regents and certain regents institutions.(See SF 2432.)

Similar Bills

IA SF560

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, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force to study issues related to programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1212.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/24/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA SSB1212

A bill for an act relating to the funding of, the operation of, and appropriation of moneys to the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents, and providing for properly related matters.(See SF 560.)

IA SSB3201

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, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2435.)

IA SF2435

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. (Formerly SSB 3201.) Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.

IA SSB1222

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.

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 HSB254

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, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force on at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 731.)

IA HF731

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, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force on at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 254.)