Bills › 91st General Assembly
Establishing a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees
Sponsored by the House Higher Education Committee
Topics:K–12 educationHigher education
Same legislation: HSB 533
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 13, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 13, 2026
- Done: House committeeJanuary 28, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 4, 202656–36
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- 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 establishes a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees. The pilot program is to be administered by the department of education pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of education. The bill establishes requirements related to the rules adopted by the state board of education, including requiring that the rules provide that a community college shall not offer a degree program that leads to a baccalaureate degree unless the community college’s main campus is located at least miles from the main campus of an institution of higher education governed by the state board of regents or the main campus of a private institution of higher education that is already offering the degree program that the community college proposes to offer.
Read the full explanation
In addition, the rules must provide that a community college shall not offer a degree program that leads to a baccalaureate degree unless: the degree program is in certain specified fields; instruction provided in courses within the degree program is not delivered entirely over the internet; and the degree program consists of accredited programs of study or academic majors that lead to jobs that address a high-demand, sustained, and unmet workforce need within the community college region. The bill establishes reporting requirements related to the pilot program. The bill defines “main campus” and “private institution of higher education”.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment H-8022; see Amendments. Full bill text
Senate subcommittee
Named March 12, 2026. On March 18, 2026 it recommended passage.
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
Cost: up to $100,000 Compare with other bills
The fiscal impact of the Bill is unknown and will vary depending on how quickly and how many new baccalaureate programs are created during the pilot program. The DE estimates a one- time cost of $100,000 to expand STICS. Any additional costs to implement the requirements of this Bill will be absorbed by existing staff within the Bureau of Community Colleges.
The estimate held steady
The largest dollar figure in each version’s summary.
- Community Colleges, Baccalaureate Degrees · March 16, 2026 · $100,000
- Community Colleges, Baccalaureate Degrees · March 3, 2026 · $100,000
- Community Colleges, Baccalaureate Degrees · February 26, 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
Creates§260C.25
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
9 for · 3 against · 7 undecided · Who →
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.
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91st General Assembly
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