This UEN Weekly Report from the 2026 Legislative Session includes: How Long is this Session Going to Last?; Budget Progress in the Chambers (including Education Appropriations); Bills to the Governor; Bouncing Bills (amended back and forth between chambers) and including SF 2472 Property Taxes; Civics Test Resources on DE’s Website; Advocacy Actions for the Week and Advocacy Resources

Public Hearing Comments on April 21, 2026 by Margaret Buckton from the Urban Education Network of Iowa (UEN). We are undecided on SF 2472, but are sharing concerns about several divisions impacting schools

This UEN Weekly Report from the 2026 Legislative Session includes: New Call to Action on Spending Authority Limit (35% UAB) in Property Tax Bills; Budget Progress in the Chambers (Including Education Appropriations); Charter Schools Approved by the House; Floor Action in the House and Senate; Committee Action; Advocacy Actions for the Week and Advocacy Resources

All three property tax proposals now include both provisions: 1) school board policy on UAB goals and maximums, with annual review, which we support, and 2)mandatory limit on UAB of 35% of expenditures in the year preceding the base year, so for FY 2027 budget, it would limit to 35% of FY 2025 general fund expenditures, which we oppose. Contact your legislators today. Urge Legislators to support school board plans, including goals for Unspent Authorized Budget (UAB – or carry-forward spending authority) and annual review of those plans, but oppose the arbitrary 35% limitation on UAB. The limit defies local control, and one size does not fit all. Learn more in this Call To Action

This UEN Weekly Report from the 2026 Legislative Session includes: MAHA Bill Amended in the Senate (It’s Much Better); Student Behavior Amended in the House (It’s Better); Property Tax Bill Amended in the Senate (It’s a Little Better); Budget Bills See Action; Floor Action on Other Bills This Week in Both Chambers; Bills Still in the Mix of Interest to School Leaders; Advocacy Actions for the Week and Advocacy Resources