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Iowa House Bill HF447
Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session
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Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF447

Introduced
2/24/23  
Refer
5/4/23  
Introduced
2/24/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to workforce development, including establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce development board and the state board of regents.(Formerly HF 6.)

Impact

By instituting the WGIP, HF447 modifies the responsibilities of the Iowa Workforce Development Board and the State Board of Regents, making them responsible for collaboration in listing and updating high-demand job fields. This legislative effort is a strategic move to align educational outcomes with job market needs, ensuring students are prepared and incentivized to enter fields that are projected to see significant growth and require specific academic credentials.

Summary

House File 447 (HF447) focuses on workforce development in Iowa by establishing the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program (WGIP). This program aims to support students pursuing careers in high-wage and high-demand job sectors by providing financial assistance through grants and incentives. Eligible students can receive up to $2,000 per semester for a maximum of four semesters, contingent upon their maintaining enrollment in eligible academic programs. Importantly, this funding supports both full-time and part-time students, allowing for a prorated distribution of the grants based on enrollment status.

Contention

During discussions surrounding HF447, some points of contention emerged regarding the prioritization of grant awards to applicants with the least financial ability to pay and those who had previously received grants. Critics expressed concern that while prioritizing financial need is essential, it might overlook other crucial merit-based scholarship considerations. Additionally, there were arguments about the adoption of specific job lists that might exclude emerging industries or new areas of potential employment growth, which could lead to a misalignment between education systems and the rapidly changing job market.

Latest IA HF447 Activity

View All Events: IA 2023-2024 Regular Session HF447

Companion Bills

IA HF6

Similar To A bill for an act relating to workforce development, including establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program and modifying the responsibilities of the Iowa workforce development board.(See HF 447.)

Previously Filed As

IA SF2485

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions.(Formerly SSB 3188.)

IA HF722

A bill for an act relating to workforce training, unemployment insurance, and other functions and programs of the department of workforce development, the workforce development board, and local workforce development boards.(Formerly HSB 68.)

IA HF2772

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions, and codifying the housing renewal program. (Formerly HSB 773.) Effective date: 07/01/2026

IA HSB773

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions, and codifying the housing renewal program.(See HF 2772.)

IA SSB1236

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and the state board of regents and certain regents institutions.(See SF 645.)

IA HF1040

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions, and eliminating the repeal of the housing renewal pilot program.(Formerly HSB 336.)

IA SSB1223

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and certain state board of regents institutions.

IA SSB3188

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions.(See SF 2485.)

IA SF222

A bill for an act relating to workforce training, unemployment insurance, adult education, and other functions and programs of the department of workforce development, the workforce development board, and local workforce development boards, and making appropriations.(Formerly SSB 1068; See SF 603.)

IA HSB336

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions, and eliminating the repeal of the housing renewal pilot program.(See HF 1040.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.