This bill amends provisions related to education funding in Iowa, specifically focusing on the statewide preschool program and the eligibility criteria for education savings account payments. It modifies the calculation of preschool budget enrollment based on the number of instructional hours provided by school districts. For example, school districts offering 10 to 15 hours of instruction per week will continue to use a 50% enrollment figure, while those providing 15 to 20 hours will use 70%, and so forth, up to 100% for districts offering 30 or more hours per week.

Additionally, the bill updates the eligibility requirements for education savings account payments for students attending nonpublic schools. It retains the eligibility for the school budget years beginning July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, but introduces a new criterion for school budget years starting on or after July 1, 2027. Under this new provision, only students from households with an annual income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines will qualify for the education savings account payments. The bill's applicability is set for school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256C.5, 257.11B