Bills › 91st General Assembly

HF 2654Died when the session ended · February 20, 2026

Providing for a waiver of resident tuition at community colleges for dependents of first responders

Sponsored by the House Public Safety Committee

Same legislation: HSB 716

Also covers HSB 716.

Progress

  1. Introduced
    February 10, 2026
  2. Subcommittee
    February 12, 2026
  3. Committee
    February 18, 2026
  4. Passed House
    —
  5. Passed Senate
    —
  6. Signed
    —

Became HF 2654 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2654 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill provides for a waiver of resident tuition at community colleges for dependents of first responders. The bill defines first responder as a law enforcement officer, fire fighter, or emergency medical care provider. The bill requires a community college to grant a dependent of a first responder a waiver of resident tuition if the dependent meets admission requirements, enrolls in the community college and pursues studies leading to a specified degree or credential, and submits verification that the dependent’s parent or legal guardian was employed for at least six years as a first responder and is either an active first responder in Iowa or is retired at the time of the dependent’s initial application for a waiver.

Read the full explanation

The amount of a waiver under the bill is the amount of the dependent’s resident tuition remaining after subtracting federal grants, state scholarships and grants, and awards from the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program received by the dependent. The bill provides that an eligible dependent may receive the tuition waiver for no more than two academic years, provided the dependent continues to meet the requirements of the bill and all policies of the community college on continued enrollment and progress toward completion of the applicable degree or program. As a condition of receiving a tuition waiver, the bill requires the dependent to remain a resident of Iowa for a period of not less than five years following completion of the degree or program for which the waiver was received. The bill provides for repayment to a community college of the amount waived if a dependent voluntarily relocates outside the state and for exceptions to the repayment requirement.3.2, subsection 3, which would relieve a political subdivision from complying with a state mandate if funding for the cost of the state mandate is not provided or specified. Therefore, political subdivisions are required to comply with any state mandate included in the bill.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

History

2026 session · second year of the 91st General Assembly
February 20, 2026
Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 366. Journal
February 20, 2026
As HSB 716: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2654.
February 18, 2026
As HSB 716: Committee vote: Yeas, 22. Nays, 0. Excused, 1. H.J. 339. Journal
February 18, 2026
As HSB 716: Committee report, recommending amendment and passage. H.J. 339. Journal
February 12, 2026
As HSB 716: Subcommittee recommends passage.
February 11, 2026
As HSB 716: Subcommittee Meeting: 02/12/2026 8:00AM RM 103.
February 10, 2026
As HSB 716: Subcommittee: Henderson, Amos Jr. and Gustoff. H.J. 250. Journal
February 10, 2026
As HSB 716: Introduced, referred to Public Safety. H.J. 247. Journal