Bills › 91st General Assembly
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
Progress
- IntroducedFebruary 10, 2026
- SubcommitteeFebruary 12, 2026
- CommitteeFebruary 18, 2026
- Passed House—
- Passed Senate—
- 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
Meetings
- Wednesday, February 18 · 10:30 AMPublic Safety committee · RM 19Official meeting page
- Thursday, February 12 · 8:00 AMPublic Safety subcommittee · RM 103Official meeting page
Votes
Select a floor vote to see how each legislator voted.
Lobbyist declarations
- Iowa Association of Professional Fire ChiefsFor
- Iowa Emergency Management AssociationFor
- Iowa Emergency Medical Services AssociationFor
- Iowa Firefighters Association (IFA)For
- Iowa Fraternal Order of PoliceFor
- Iowa Peace Officers AssociationFor
- Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum)For
- Iowa Professional Fire FightersFor
- Iowa State Police AssociationFor
- Iowa State Sheriffs' & Deputies' AssociationFor
- Iowa Association of Community College TrusteesUndecided
- Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum)Undecided
- Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum)Withdrawn
Grouped by organization. Lobbying overview →