Bills › 91st General Assembly
Providing for a waiver of resident tuition at community colleges for dependents of first responders
Topics:Higher educationPublic safety & emergencies
Same legislation: HF 2654
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 10, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 10, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 18, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2654 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2654 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill provides for a waiver of resident tuition at community colleges for dependents of first responders. The bill defines first responder as a law enforcement officer, fire fighter, or emergency medical care provider. The bill requires a community college to grant a dependent of a first responder a waiver of resident tuition if the dependent meets admission requirements, enrolls in the community college and pursues studies leading to a specified degree or credential, and submits verification that the dependent’s parent or legal guardian is an active first responder in Iowa at the time of the dependent’s initial application for a waiver.
Read the full explanation
The amount of a waiver under the bill is the amount of the dependent’s resident tuition remaining after subtracting federal grants, state scholarships and grants, and awards from the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program received by the dependent. The bill provides that an eligible dependent may receive the tuition waiver for no more than two academic years, provided the dependent continues to meet the requirements of the bill and all policies of the community college on continued enrollment and progress toward completion of the applicable degree or program. _____ As a condition of receiving a tuition waiver, the bill requires the dependent to remain a resident of Iowa for a period of not less than five years following completion of the degree or program for which the waiver was received. The bill provides for repayment to a community college of the amount waived if a dependent voluntarily relocates outside the state and for exceptions to the repayment requirement.3.2, subsection 3, which would relieve a political subdivision from complying with a state mandate if funding for the cost of the state mandate is not provided or specified. Therefore, political subdivisions are required to comply with any state mandate included in the bill.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named February 10, 2026. On February 12, 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
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§261M.1§261M.2§261M.3§261M.4§261M.5
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
10 for · 0 against · 2 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.
Study bill
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.