Relating to English learners, including by modifying provisions related to open enrollment and the payment of costs incurred in transporting English learners to nonpublic schools, and including applicability provisions

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedJanuary 14, 2026
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 14, 2026
3. ✓
   Done: House committeeFebruary 4, 2026
4. ✓
   Done: Passes the HouseMarch 2, 202689–1
5. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeMarch 19, 2026
6. ✕
   Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
7. Next: To the Governor
8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to English learners, including by modifying provisions related to open enrollment and the payment of costs incurred in transporting English learners to nonpublic schools. The bill provides that the additional weighting associated with English learners, in addition to paying for the excess costs of instruction, are to be used to pay for the costs of transporting English learners, including transportation to nonpublic schools. The bill provides that if a parent or guardian files a request for an English learner to open enroll, the request shall be granted only if the receiving district maintains a program to provide special instruction to English learners that is appropriate to meet the English learner’s educational needs and the enrollment of the English learner in the receiving district’s special instruction program would not cause the size of the class or caseload in that special instruction program in the receiving district to exceed the maximum class size or caseload, and if the English learner would be assigned to a general education class, there is sufficient classroom space in the general education class to which the English learner would be assigned.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named March 10, 2026. On March 18, 2026 it recommended passage.

• Sen. Jeff Taylor REmail
• Sen. Molly Donahue DEmail
• Sen. Tom Shipley REmail

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Fiscal note

Minimal Compare with other bills

House File 2363 will have no fiscal impact to the State. Any change to the allocation school districts receive from the Transportation School Equity appropriation is expected to be minimal.

• Open Enrollment, English-Language Learners · February 24, 2026

Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§280.4§282.18

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.