HSB 728 (LSB 6324YC (3) 90)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS BILL BY CHAIRPERSON MOHR)

A BILL FOR

An Act 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   (4)  This paragraph is repealed July 1, 2025.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.  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:
   1.  The administration of any assessment described in section 256.7, subsection 21, paragraph “b”.
   2.  The high school graduation requirements adopted pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 26.
   3.  The administration of any assessment described in section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “b”.
   4.  The required days or hours of instruction described in section 279.10.
   5.  The administration of any assessment described in section 279.60, subsection 1 or 3.
   6.  The administration of any assessment described in section 279.68.
   7.  The administration of any assessment related to English learners.
   8.  Any reporting requirement related to accreditation.
   9.  The administration of any requirement related to dynamic learning assessments.
   10.  The administration of any assessment related to mathematics, reading, or early literacy.
    Sec. 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to school districts, including by modifying provisions related to the district management levy and waiving certain specified duties, responsibilities, and requirements for the school year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024.
   The bill authorizes school districts to use the revenue from the district management levy to pay the costs of retention bonus payment 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 99,500 but less than 100,000, a county with a population of greater than 26,000 but less than 27,000, and a county with a population of greater than 8,760 but less than 8,800. The bill provides that a school district shall not expend more than $700,000 under this provision and shall not increase the amount of the district management levy in order to make the retention bonus payments. The bill establishes that this provision is repealed July 1, 2025.
   The bill provides that 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 99,500 but less than 100,000, a county with a population of greater than 26,000 but less than 27,000, and a county with a population of greater than 8,760 but less than 8,800, certain specified duties, responsibilities, and requirements shall be deemed not to apply, including duties, responsibilities, and requirements related to assessments, days or hours of attendance, and graduation requirements.
   The bill takes effect upon enactment.