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91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HSB 542: Prohibiting courses and content relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory in general education requirements and core curricula at regents institutions

Became HF 2487 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

This bill requires the state board of regents (board) to establish a policy that prohibits diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory-related courses or course requirements, as defined in the bill, from being included in any undergraduate general education requirement or core curriculum at institutions of higher education governed by the board (institutions). The bill requires the board to establish all policies required by the bill no later than December 31, 2026. _____ requirements that include diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory-related content from the undergraduate general education requirements and core curricula.

Sponsors

Not listed

Cost

No fiscal note

House subcommittee · named January 20, 2026

  • Rep. Steven C. Holt (R) · steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R) · skyler.wheeler@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Ross Wilburn (D) · ross.wilburn@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 10 for, 19 against

For: Anita Fischer - Personal Interest; Concerned Women For America of Iowa; Do No Harm Action; Inspired Life; Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; Professional Educators of Iowa; Rick Phillips; VALOR Iowa

Against: AFSCME Council 61; American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Bitches Get Stuff Done; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Association of School Boards; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church; Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa Safe Schools; NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Iowa-Nebraska; and 7 more

In plain words

  1. January 13, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Higher Education committee
  2. January 13, 2026House subcommittee named: Stone, Wheeler and Wilburn
  3. January 20, 2026House subcommittee named: Holt, Wheeler and Wilburn
  4. February 9, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
  5. February 11, 2026Approved by the House committee
  6. February 11, 2026Committee vote: 7–4
  7. February 16, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2487

From public records at legis.iowa.gov, compiled by Funnel (iowafunnel.com), an independent, nonpartisan site. Current as of Monday, November 9, 2026. https://iowafunnel.com/bills/91/HSB542