SF 176: Relating to participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities offered by school districts by pupils who open enroll for purposes of receiving educational instruction and course content primarily over the internet

What it does

This bill relates to participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities offered by school districts by pupils who open enroll for purposes of receiving educational instruction and course content primarily over the internet. Current law allows pupils who participate in open enrollment for purposes of receiving educational instruction and course content primarily over the internet to participate in any cocurricular or extracurricular activities offered in the pupil’s grade or group and sponsored by the pupil’s district of residence under the same conditions and requirements as the pupils enrolled in the district of residence.

House subcommittee · named February 9, 2026

• Rep. Dan Gehlbach (R) · dan.gehlbach@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Wendy Larson (R) · wendy.larson@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Mary Lee Madison (D) · mary.madison@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 9 for, 1 against

For: Americans For Prosperity; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Rural School Advocates of Iowa; School Administrators of Iowa; Stride, Inc.; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; Urban Education Network of Iowa; Yes. Every Kid.

Against: Episcopal Diocese of Iowa

In plain words

1. January 21, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee · as SSB 1023
2. January 21, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Taylor, Shipley and Staed · as SSB 1023
3. January 23, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as SSB 1023
4. January 30, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 176 · as SSB 1023
5. February 3, 2025Filed in the Senate
6. February 3, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
7. March 11, 2025Passed the Senate, 47–0
8. March 12, 2025Arrived in the House
9. March 20, 2025House subcommittee named: Fett, Gjerde and Stone
10. March 24, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
11. April 1, 2025Approved by the House committee
12. April 1, 2025Committee vote: 22–1
13. February 9, 2026House subcommittee named: Gehlbach, Larson and Madison
14. February 12, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
15. February 16, 2026Approved by the House committee
16. February 16, 2026Committee vote: 23–0
17. March 3, 2026Passed the House, 94–2
18. April 6, 2026Passed the Senate, 47–0
19. May 2, 2026Sent to the Governor
20. May 2, 2026Signed into law