Relating to civil actions against school board members and superintendents for school policies that violate state law

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 29, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 3, 2026
Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
Next: Passes the House
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 relates to civil actions against school board members and superintendents for school policies that violate state law. The bill provides that if any person residing in a school district believes that the board of directors of the school district or the superintendent of the school district has adopted a policy that is in violation of any state law, the person may notify the county attorney of the potential violation. The county attorney may bring a civil action against the members of the board of directors of the school district who voted in favor of adopting the policy that may be in violation of a state law, and against the superintendent of the school district, to compel the school district to comply with state law.

Read the full explanation

The bill establishes that if the county attorney is the prevailing party in the civil action, the court shall grant the injunctive relief sought by the county attorney and award the county attorney an amount equal to the greater of $1,000 for each defendant that the court finds adopted a policy that is in violation of state law or the costs the county attorney incurred in bringing the civil action. Any moneys awarded must be deposited in the general fund of the county for the use of the county attorney in carrying out the county attorney’s duties.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named February 3, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.

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§279.89

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

1 for · 6 against · 0 undecided · Who →

Similar bills

SF 178 Relating to civil actions against school board members and superintendents for school poli…
91st General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage
Nearly identical

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.