Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibility, funding, and compulsory attendance and including applicability provisions
Sponsored by Rep. Ann Meyer (R)
Topics:State budgetK–12 education
Same legislation: HF 2493
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 21, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 10, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2493
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2493 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2493 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Iowa's statewide preschool program would expand to include certain five-year-old children who turn five between March and September. This change allows these older children to enroll in the program and helps school districts receive state funding for them. The update also changes how the law describes the age of children participating in these programs.1
Read the official explanation
The statewide preschool program for four-year-old children under Code chapter 256C provides that a child who is a resident of Iowa and is four years of age on or before September of a school year shall be eligible to enroll in the preschool program. Additionally, to be included as an eligible student in the enrollment count of the preschool programming for state funding purposes, a child must be four years of age by September in the base year and attending the school district’s approved local program. This bill expands the eligibility and state funding provisions of the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children under Code chapter 256C to also include five-year-old children who reach the age of five on or after March but on or before September of the calendar year during which the school year begins. However, if a child enrolled in the preschool program has been counted for state funding purposes under this Code chapter for a prior school year, the child shall not be counted for state funding purposes.1A relating to compulsory education is also modified to reflect changes made in the bill. The bill applies to school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2027.
House subcommittee
Named January 21, 2026. On February 3, 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
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 3, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill expands eligibility for the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program to include children who turn five years old between March 15 and September 15. For fiscal year 2028, the estimated maximum cost to the state's General Fund is $949,000 if 233 new pupils enroll. This cost would be paid to school districts through the school aid formula.3
From the note: The fiscal impact for HF 2493 for each new pupil participating in the SWVPP will be an additional cost to the General Fund of $4,074. In FY 2028, if 233 new pupils were enrolled in the SWVPP, the estimated maximum cost would be $949,000 paid through the school aid formula.
- Final Fiscal Note — Eligibility for Statewide Preschool Program · May 28, 2026 · $949,000
- Eligiblity for Statewide Preschool Program · February 24, 2026 · $931,000
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
5 for · 1 against · 15 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Tried before
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- HF 14 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…89th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 318 · same titleCleared committee
- HF 318 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…89th General Assembly · Passed House · same titlePassed a chamber
- SF 2201 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…89th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2048 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…88th General Assembly · Approved by committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2460 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…88th General Assembly · Approved by committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2621 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…88th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 592 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…88th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 783 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…88th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- HF 2450 Relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibilit…91st General Assembly · In committeeVery similar
Matched by wording or an identical title.