In This Issue
Federal Policy Update
State Policy Update
Legislation
Important Dates

Quick Links

March 16, 2018 

During the state legislative session, the IAA sends out a bi-weekly legislative update. In these emails you'll get an update on what's going on at the State Capitol, and in Congress, as well as actions you can take to advocate for afterschool!

We hope this communication is helpful to you!
Federal Policy Update
On Monday, February 12, President Trump released his budget proposal for FY19 that included no funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers or for the Corporation for National and Community Service. Please follow discussions in both the House of Representatives and Senate appropriations committees to get a sense for what the two chambers are planning for funding the programs.

On March 13, the US House of Representatives passed the Building Blocks of STEM Act (H.R. 3397). This bipartisan effort directs the National Science Foundation to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics education research focused on early childhood (under the age of 11). If passed, the legislation could act as a support for informal STEM education that is happening in afterschool and summer learning programs across the country.
State Policy Update
Helpful Links
Click here to find your legislator. You can search by city, school district, county, or zip code.

To find bios, contact information, and photos of all the legislators, go to the Legislators page on the Iowa Legislature website. Select either "Senators" or "Representatives" on the left-side menu to see a complete list of all members, including links to their information page and district map. 

For a complete list of Senate and House committees and members, click here.

For a full list of Senate and House leadership, click here.
Legislation
House File 2235 Relates to statewide assessments of student progress for purposes of core academic indicators. Passed House on February 20, 2018 and passed Senate on March 13, 2018 with amendment. The amended version of the bill will return to the House for debate.
 
House File 2420 Establishes an Iowa national service corps program. Passed House on March 7, 2018 and referred to Senate Education Committee. Passed by Committee.

House File 2441 Relates to school district funding and the authorized purposes for the expenditure of school district
funding. Passed House on March 6, 2018 and referred to Senate Education Committee. Passed by Committee.
 
Senate File 455 Relates to school district finance by modifying provisions relating to the calculation of the regular program state cost per pupil and the regular program district cost per pupil, and by establishing a supplementary weighting plan for certain mandatory school district transportation costs. Passed House on February 19th, 2018 and passed Senate on February 26, 2018. Governor signed the bill into law on March 8, 2018.
 
Senate File 2113 Requires school employee training and protocols relating to suicide prevention and trauma-informed care. Passed Senate on February 20, 2018 and passed House on March 12, 2018 with amendment. The amended version of the bill will return to the Senate for debate.

Senate File 2358 Relates to authorized expenditures of moneys received by school districts for at-risk programs, alternative schools, and dropout prevention programming. In Appropriations Committee. 
Important Dates
March 16            Second Funnel
Final date for Senate bills to be passed out of House committees and House bills to be passed out of Senate committees.

April 17               Target Adjournment Date
This update is a bi-weekly publication intended to share information and resources regarding legislative activities, events, and bills related to afterschool issues in Iowa. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Michelle Rich at mrich@sppg.com