Requiring boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies related to exempting student absences for school-sponsored activities, programs, competitions, and projects

Sponsored by the Senate Education Committee

Topics:Agriculture K–12 education

Same legislation: SSB 3041

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 15, 2026
Done: Senate committeeFebruary 4, 2026
Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 23, 202646–0
Done: House committeeMarch 19, 2026
Done: Passes the HouseApril 7, 202685–8
Done: To the GovernorMay 5, 2026
Done: Signed into lawMay 19, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary School boards and leaders of charter and private schools must create new rules for student absences. These rules would require schools to excuse students who miss class for 4-H or FFA activities. Students participating in these programs would also be allowed to make up any schoolwork they missed.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill requires boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies related to excusing student absences for 4-H club or FFA activities. The bill requires the board of directors of each school district, the governing board of a charter school, and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school to adopt a policy that requires the school to grant a student an excused absence when the student is absent from school because of the student’s involvement in an activity or project sponsored by a 4-H club or the FFA. The bill also requires that the policy allow a student who is absent from school because of the student’s involvement in an activity or project sponsored by a 4-H club or the FFA to make up any classwork the student was not able to complete as a result of the absence.

Changed since by amendments H-8246, S-5023; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed²

House subcommittee

Named March 5, 2026. On March 9, 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: March 9, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§256E.7 §299.1

How the Code works³

Lobbying

3 for · 2 against · 6 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

SF 179Cleared committee90th GA HF 2177Cleared committee90th GA

Study bill

SSB 3041Renumbered

91st General Assembly

SF 2219Became lawfrom SSB 3041

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

HF 2177 Requiring boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, an…
90th General Assembly · In committee · very similar
Cleared committee
SF 179 Requiring boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, an…
90th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage · very similar
Cleared committee

Matched by wording or an identical title.