This bill outlines the appropriations for Iowa's education system for the fiscal year 2026-2027, allocating funds to the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. Key funding includes $3,207,190 for the Department for the Blind, as well as significant allocations for the Department of Education, which covers areas such as general administration, career and technical education, and early childhood education initiatives. The bill emphasizes the expansion of services for children with disabilities, mental health training in schools, and STEM initiatives. Additionally, it ensures that certain funds, like those for the Jobs for America's Graduates program, will remain available for expenditure into the following fiscal year, promoting continuity in critical educational programs.

The bill also introduces amendments to existing laws, including increased appropriations for the Iowa tuition grants fund and the Iowa tuition grants for-profit institutions fund. It mandates school districts to report incidents of violence, which will be compiled by the Department of Education, and modifies the handling of licensing fees collected by the Board of Educational Examiners, allowing the board to retain these fees for its operational duties instead of depositing a portion into the general fund. Furthermore, the bill limits funds for at-risk children programs, eliminates the work-study program appropriation, and introduces new reporting requirements for antibullying programming, all aimed at strengthening educational programs and support systems across Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.7