Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF370

Introduced
2/20/23  
Engrossed
3/16/23  
Introduced
2/20/23  
Refer
3/20/23  
Engrossed
3/16/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to entities supported in whole or in part by public moneys, including the sale of public bonds, the duties and responsibilities of the directors and officers of school boards, school districts, the department of education, the department of health and human services, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, community colleges, institutions under the control of the state board of regents, area education agencies, and election commissioners, and the membership and voting units of county and city conference boards. (Formerly HSB 118.)

Impact

HF 370 significantly alters the landscape for bond issuance within school districts by removing the requirement for a public election for certain bond sales. This change aims to streamline the funding process for essential infrastructure projects, thereby potentially accelerating the improvements in school facilities across the state. It further allows a regionally unified approach to address school infrastructure needs, impacting how local funds are managed and allocated. By doing this, it is expected to enhance educational environments, but it could also raise concerns about local oversight and accountability related to public funds.

Summary

House File 370, enacted by the Iowa General Assembly, focuses on various aspects related to entities supported in whole or in part by public moneys. The bill outlines new provisions for the issuance of school bonds, allowing school districts to issue negotiable, interest-bearing bonds without an election, utilizing tax receipts from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund. Proceeds from these bonds are expressly intended for school infrastructure projects, which includes construction, repair, and maintenance of school buildings and systems. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of compliance with environmental standards for cleaning products used in schools.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HF 370 has been a mix of support and contention. Proponents argue that the bill will greatly benefit the educational infrastructure by making the bond funding process more efficient and less bureaucratic. However, some critics express concerns regarding the lack of public input in the bond issuance process, which may diminish local control over financial decisions that significantly impact their communities. This division highlights the balancing act between ensuring timely access to funding for infrastructure while preserving democratic oversight of public expenditures.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HF 370 include the implications of allowing school districts to bypass local elections for bond issuance which, while expediting funding for critical projects, raises questions about transparency and accountability. Additionally, the bill requires school districts to implement environmentally preferable cleaning policies, which could impose new operational and financial considerations on educational institutions. The intersection of financial autonomy and regulatory compliance indicates a complex dialogue among stakeholders about best practices in public funding and environmental stewardship within Iowa's educational landscape.

Companion Bills

IA HSB118

Related A bill for an act relating to entities supported in whole or in part by public moneys, including the sale of public bonds, the duties and responsibilities of the directors and officers of school boards, school districts, the department of education, the department of health and human services, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, community colleges, institutions under the control of the state board of regents, area education agencies, election commissioners and children's residential facilities, and the membership and voting units of county and city conference boards.(See HF 370.)

IA SSB1111

Related A bill for an act relating to entities supported in whole or in part by public moneys, including the sale of public bonds, the duties and responsibilities of the directors and officers of school boards, school districts, the department of education, the department of health and human services, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, community colleges, institutions under the control of the state board of regents, area education agencies, election commissioners and children's residential facilities, and the membership and voting units of county and city conference boards.(See SF 390.)

IA SF390

Similar To A bill for an act relating to entities supported in whole or in part by public moneys, including the sale of public bonds, the duties and responsibilities of the directors and officers of school boards, school districts, the department of education, the department of health and human services, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, community colleges, institutions under the control of the state board of regents, area education agencies, election commissioners and children's residential facilities, and the membership and voting units of county and city conference boards.(Formerly SSB 1111.)

Previously Filed As

IA HSB717

A bill for an act relating to entities supported in whole or in part by taxation, including by modifying provisions related to the duties and responsibilities of the directors and officers of school boards, school improvement advisory committees, the sale of public bonds, statewide school infrastructure funding, open enrollment, and the membership and voting units of county and city conference boards, and including applicability provisions.(See HF 2705.)

IA HF2705

A bill for an act relating to entities supported in whole or in part by taxation, including by modifying provisions related to the duties and responsibilities of the directors and officers of school boards, school improvement advisory committees, electronic bidding on public bonds, statewide school infrastructure funding, open enrollment, and the membership and voting units of county and city conference boards, and including applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 717.)

IA SSB3015

A bill for an act relating to the verification of the identity and employment eligibility of individuals by the board of educational examiners, school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions.(See SF 2218.)

IA HB2299

Senate Substitute for Substitute for HB2299 by Committee on Education - Providing that certain statutory references to accredited nonpublic schools mean nonpublic schools accredited by the state board of education, requiring that schools accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency shall have the same rights as schools accredited by the state board, requiring school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to prohibit the use of personal electronic communication devices during the school day and prohibiting employees of a school district from using social media to communicate with students for official school purposes.

IA HF251

A bill for an act requiring the state board of education to publish information related to nonpublic schools that are accredited by an approved independent accrediting agency.

IA HSB534

A bill for an act relating to postsecondary education institutions, including the membership and functions of the state board of regents and accreditation of public institutions of higher education.

IA SF2018

A bill for an act relating to special education, including by requiring accredited nonpublic schools to provide special education services to students enrolled in the school who require such services and modifying the responsibilities of area education agencies, and including effective date provisions.

IA HF2544

A bill for an act requiring annual reports on and the prohibition of antisemitism in community colleges, regents institutions, and public school districts.(Formerly HSB 646.)

IA SF2325

A bill for an act requiring boards of directors of school districts, the authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools, and the governing boards of charter schools to adopt policies related to excusing the absences of students enrolled in grades six through twelve for civic or political events.

IA HF2612

A bill for an act requiring boards of directors of school districts, the authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools, and the governing boards of charter schools to adopt policies related to excusing the absences of students enrolled in grades six through twelve for civic or political events.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.