HF 2513: Prohibiting institutions of higher education from entering into employment contracts with citizens of federally designated foreign adversaries and state sponsors of terrorism holding certain visas

What it does

This bill requires the state board of regents to adopt a policy prohibiting a regents institution from entering into an employment contract on or after July 1, 2026, with an individual who is a holder of a valid federal H-1B visa and who is also a citizen of a nation designated as a foreign adversary by regulation of the United States secretary of commerce.

Senate subcommittee · named March 9, 2026

• Sen. Mike Pike (R) · mike.pike@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Adrian Dickey (R) · adrian.dickey@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Thomas Townsend (D) · thomas.townsend@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 6 against

For: Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; State Shield Action; VALOR Iowa

Against: Building Bridges; Dubuque For Refugee Children; Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice; Kemin Industries; Presentation Lantern Center; Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, Iowa

In plain words

1. January 13, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Higher Education committee · as HSB 536
2. January 13, 2026House subcommittee named: Wheeler, Brown-Powers and Stone · as HSB 536
3. January 20, 2026House subcommittee named: Wheeler, Brown-Powers and Shipley · as HSB 536
4. February 11, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 536
5. February 11, 2026Approved by the House committee · as HSB 536
6. February 11, 2026Committee vote: 7–4 · as HSB 536
7. February 16, 2026Filed in the House
8. February 16, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2513 · as HSB 536
9. March 3, 2026Passed the House, 68–27
10. March 4, 2026Arrived in the Senate
11. March 9, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Pike, Dickey and Townsend
12. March 11, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
13. March 11, 2026Approved by the Senate committee