Meeting Public Comments

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HF 2488

A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.(Formerly HSB 537.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Pike-CH, Quirmbach, Taylor

Date: Monday, March 16, 2026

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Senate Lounge

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

03-12-2026

Kathleen Sides [Pastor in the United Methodist Church]

As a United Methodist Pastor, graduate of a United Methodist private college in Iowa, and the parent of a current student at a United Methodist private college in Iowa, I appeal to you to NOT advance HF 2488 for passage in the Senate. A large number of the private colleges in Iowa are churchrelated colleges,and this is a bill that basically seeks to deny those colleges the right to practice their faithbased beliefs and traditions and instead forces them to live by someone else's standards that they are morally and Biblically opposed to. My daughter is attending a private United Methodistrelated college precisely because it upholds the same Christian values that she holds. Please do not punish her, her fellow students, and the private colleges that seek to be true to their traditions, values and ethics by passing this punitive bill that would quite possibly have devastating consequences for students and the colleges that have welcomed and supported ALL students for generations.

03-13-2026

Jennifer Pullen-Ingledue

I oppose HF 2488. Ensuring we have equitable institutions in Iowa is essential to our growth and economic stability. Supporting policy that encourages diversity, inclusion, accessibility, & equitable practices is necessary to ensure we have an education system & workforce that has knowledge contributed by many different backgrounds. Please vote against HF 2488 to best ensure the future of Iowans.

03-13-2026

JoAnn Orthel

As a graduate of United Methodistaffiliated Morningside College (now University) in Sioux City, I am grateful for the diversity, equity, and inclusion modeled and molded there. Those moral values have guided my lifelong interactions and made me proud to be an Iowan.As a student, I depended on needbased grants and scholarships, so I am distressed that the legislature is considering HF 2488, a bill that would make Iowa students who attend an Iowa private college or university that has a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office or programs in support of DEI in place ineligible to receive the needbased Iowa Tuition Grant.I fear this will limit the higher educational choices for Iowa students from lower income families and undermine the religious and academic freedom of these vital Iowa institutions. Please do not support HF 2488.

03-13-2026

Jeffrey Anderson [Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church]

The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church strongly support the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion and we advocate for policies that promote them as acts of restorative justice. Because of this we have opposed other bills that have sought to eliminate or curtail DEI programs, but HF 2488 is especially concerning. Most of Iowas private colleges and universities are affiliated with religious denominations, including our three United Methodist colleges. We believe that withholding the Iowa Tuition Grant from students from low income families unless the colleges they attend act against their strongly held religious and moral beliefs and end programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion would represent a dangerous precedent, one that could limit educational choices and opportunities for students and do harm to the religious and academic freedom of these vital institutions of higher learning in our state. Please do not support HF 2488.

03-15-2026

Jane Robinette

I oppose HF2488. The legislature's mission to rid Iowa of anything to do with diversity, equity, and inclusion should not be extended to PRIVATE colleges. Their leadership may have different values than the current legislative leadership. To punish them for their religious or ethical beliefs by punishing their students who rely on state tuition grants seems overly harsh. Please vote no on HF2488.

03-16-2026

Morgan Hockey

I am OPPOSED to HF 2488 and ask the subcommittee to vote NO. This does nothing to help the people of Iowa, and only attacks minorities for the sake of a BS culture war. The government shouldn't have this kind of power over higher education.

03-16-2026

Anita Johnson

As a longtime Iowa resident, a retired pastor, and parent, I oppose this bill. Iowans and Christians have long supported diversity, equity and inclusion. The opposite is elitism, inequity and exclusion, which are not Iowa or Christian values.This bill also smacks as bribery, paying institutions for not following a policy.We should be making it easier, not harder, for students to afford an education.

03-16-2026

David Anderson

Two and a half centuries ago, a Diverse collection of colonies fought for the right of all men to be Equal and were all Included in the nation that resulted. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are literally values that this country was founded on. Shame on you for trying to get rid of them. These values are particularly important in the 21st century economy, where even the smallest item might turn out to have a global supply chain. Passing this bill will only hurt Iowa's already worst in the nation economic growth, encourage young people to move away, and discourage people from moving here. No on HF 2488.