HSB 678 (LSB 6581YC (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION BILL BY CHAIRPERSON WHEELER)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the payment of claims associated with nonpublic school pupil transportation, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  2025 Iowa Acts, chapter 159, section 1, is amended to read as follows:
   SECTION 1.  LIMITATIONS OF STANDING APPROPRIATIONS —— FY 2025-2026.  Notwithstanding the standing appropriation in the following designated section for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, the amount appropriated from the general fund of the state pursuant to that section for the following designated purpose shall not exceed the following amount:
   For payment of claims for nonpublic school pupil transportation under section 285.2:
   ...................................................................... $  8,997,091

                                                                    9,183,974.55

   If total approved claims for reimbursement for nonpublic school pupil transportation exceed the amount appropriated in accordance with this section, the department of education shall prorate the amount of each approved claim.
    Sec. 2.  PAYMENT OF CLAIMS FOR NONPUBLIC SCHOOL PUPIL TRANSPORTATION.  The department of education shall use the additional moneys appropriated in this Act to pay any claim for nonpublic school pupil transportation under section 285.2 that was not submitted in a timely manner due to an administrative error.
    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 the payment of claims associated with nonpublic school pupil transportation.
   Code section 285.2 (payment of claims for nonpublic school transportation) appropriates from the general fund of the state to the department of education moneys sufficient to pay the approved claims of public school districts for transportation services to nonpublic school pupils. The amount of that appropriation was limited to $8,997,091 by 2025 Iowa Acts, chapter 159. The bill amends 2025 Iowa Acts, chapter 159, to increase the amount of this appropriation by $186,883.55. The bill directs the department of education to use these additional moneys to pay any claim for nonpublic school pupil transportation under Code section 285.2 that was not submitted in a timely manner due to an administrative error.
   The bill takes effect upon enactment.