HF 2653 (LSB 6324HV (5) 90)

RELATING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INCLUDING BY MODIFYING  PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT LEVY, WAIVING  CERTAIN SPECIFIED DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND REQUIREMENTS  FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023, AND ENDING JUNE  30, 2024, AND INCLUDING EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISIONS. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 298.4, subsection 1, Code 2024, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  g.  (1)  To pay the costs of retention bonus payments to employees for the school year beginning July 1, 2024, if the school district is the subject of a proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the governor on January 8, 2024, and the school district is located in a county with a population of greater than ninety-nine thousand five hundred but less than one hundred thousand, a county with a population of greater than twenty-six thousand but less than twenty-seven thousand, and a county with a population of greater than eight thousand seven hundred sixty but less than eight thousand eight hundred, all according to the 2020 federal decennial census.

   (2)  Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), a school district shall not pay more than seven hundred thousand dollars under this paragraph.
   (3)  A school district shall not increase the amount of the district management levy to make the payments described in this paragraph.
   (4)  This paragraph is repealed July 1, 2025.
    Sec. 2.  WAIVER OF REQUIREMENTS.
   1.  For the school year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024, for a school district that is the subject of a proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the governor on January 8, 2024, and that is located in a county with a population of greater than ninety-nine thousand five hundred but less than one hundred thousand, a county with a population of greater than twenty-six thousand but less than twenty-seven thousand, and a county with a population of greater than eight thousand seven hundred sixty but less than eight thousand eight hundred, all according to the 2020 federal decennial census, all of the following duties, responsibilities, and requirements shall be deemed not to apply, and the state board of education and department of education shall waive all such duties, responsibilities, and requirements:
   a.  The administration of any assessment described in section 256.7, subsection 21, paragraph “b”.
   b.  The high school graduation requirements adopted pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 26.
   c.  The administration of any assessment described in section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “b”.
   d.  The required days or hours of instruction described in section 279.10.
   e.  The administration of any assessment described in section 279.60, subsection 1 or 3.
   f.  The administration of any assessment described in section 279.68.
   g.  The administration of any assessment related to English learners.
   h.  Any reporting requirement related to accreditation.
   i.  The administration of any requirement related to dynamic learning assessments.
   j.  The administration of any assessment related to mathematics, reading, or early literacy.
   2.  This section shall not be construed to waive any duty, responsibility, or requirement established under federal law, rule, or regulation.
   3.  The director of the department of education shall work with the United States department of education and attempt to obtain appropriate waivers of duties, responsibilities, and requirements established under federal law, rule, or regulation for a school district described in subsection 1.
    Sec. 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.

______________________________
PAT GRASSLEY
Speaker of the House

______________________________
AMY SINCLAIR
President of the Senate

   I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and is known as House File 2653, Ninetieth General Assembly.

______________________________
MEGHAN NELSON
Chief Clerk of the House

Approved _______________, 2024

______________________________
KIM REYNOLDS
Governor