Amendment H-8395 to HF 2783
Relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, state board of regents, department of workforce development, and Iowa special education council
Ruled out of order · April 30, 2026
Filed April 21, 2026 in the House by
What it changes
- Page 19, after line 16 by inserting: “Sec. ___. Section 256.183, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: “Accredited private institution” means an institution of higher learning located in Iowa which is operated privately and not controlled or administered by any state agency or any subdivision of the state and which meets the criteria in paragraphs “a” and “b” and all of the criteria in paragraphs “d” through “k” “l” , except that institutions defined in paragraph “c” of this subsection are exempt from the requirements of paragraphs “a” and “b” : Sec. ___. Section 256.183, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph: NEW PARAGRAPH . l. Does not offer an academic program that results in the conferring of an associate degree.”
- Page 23, after line 6 by inserting: “Sec. ___. LEGISLATIVE FINDING AND INTENT. The general assembly finds and declares all of the following:
- Accredited private institutions, as defined in section 256.183, have expressed a desire to avoid competition in the area of higher education.
- Under Iowa law, accredited private institutions may offer academic programs that result in the conferring of an associate degree.
- Under Iowa law, community colleges established under chapter 260C are not authorized to offer academic programs that result in the conferring of a bachelor’s degree.
- The general assembly appropriates millions of dollars each year to the Iowa tuition grants program, which provides tuition grants to students who attend accredited private institutions.
- It is the intent of the general assembly that the provisions of this division of this Act amending the definition of accredited private institution in section 256.183 be interpreted to effect the desire of the accredited private institutions to avoid competition in the area of higher education by ensuring that accredited private institutions do not use taxpayer dollars appropriated under the Iowa tuition grants program to compete with community colleges by offering academic programs that result in the conferring of an associate degree.”
- By renumbering as necessary.