Iowa’s legislative session concluded after a marathon session extending into Saturday. Republican-led lawmakers prioritized education reforms, expediting tax cuts, and addressing social issues.
Education Reforms:
Governor Kim Reynolds sought to revamp the state’s special education system, proposing flexibility for school districts in allocating funds. A compromise was reached, allowing schools to choose how to spend 10% of their special education funding starting in 2025. Concerns remain among advocates and AEA staff about potential impacts on special education services. Minimum teacher salaries were also raised, with a significant increase for teachers with less than 12 years of experience.
Social Issues:
Lawmakers passed measures restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public universities. They also criminalized the presence of individuals in Iowa who had been denied entry or removed from the United States. A bill expanding maternity leave for low-income mothers on Medicaid was approved. Iowa joined other states in adopting the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Tax Cuts and Constitutional Amendments:
Tax cuts were accelerated, with a 3.8% flat income tax rate taking effect next year. Lawmakers advanced two constitutional amendments related to taxation, one enshrining a single income tax rate and the other requiring a two-thirds majority for tax code changes. These amendments must pass again in future sessions to appear on the ballot.
Bills that Failed:
Several bills failed to pass, including one that would have removed gender identity from the civil rights law and another narrowly defining male and female. A Bayer-backed bill providing legal protections against pesticide liability claims was also rejected. An abortion-related constitutional amendment was not advanced this session.
