Advocacy and Policy
State Policy
Last Friday, February 21, marked the first funnel deadline for the 2026 legislative session. Both chambers were busy at work getting policy bills passed out of committee to beat the first funnel deadline. In addition to more than 150 subcommittee meetings, there were dozens of committee meetings. Meaning long days at the Capitol, with some committees getting done early in the week while others raced to the finish at the end.
Bills passed out of a committee are now safe from the funnel and eligible for debate by either the House or Senate. Whereas bills that didn’t make it out of committee are no longer eligible for consideration or are “dead” for the remainder of session. This helps the chambers prioritize their time and energy on policy issues that have a greater chance of becoming law. An exception to the funnel exists for bills that are introduced or sent to the Appropriations or Ways and Means Committees, making these bills “funnel-proof”.
With more than 2,500 bills introduced, here are some highlights of what did and didn’t make it through the funnel. To see the full list of what we’re tracking that’s still active, check out the online bill tracker!
Survived Funnel
Community College Baccalaureate Programs (HF 2649) – allow a limited and targeted pilot program for community colleges to offer baccalaureate programs. Colleges can offer up to three degrees only if the degree is not already offered within fifty miles of the main campus and falls within eight specified fields. These include education, nursing, information technology, public safety, business, health care management, agriculture, and dental hygiene. [Registered For]
***The Iowa House is scheduled to debate the community college baccalaureate degree pilot program (HF 2649) today, February 26. While the bill is scheduled for debate, this can still change and does not guarantee that it will. Interested advocates can watch the live debate here***.
Iowa Skilled Workforce Act (HF 2466) – Updates to the Last Dollar Scholarship high-demand jobs list are made every five years in collaboration with community colleges, college student aid commission sets “financial need”, creates career training physical expansion program open to community colleges and apprenticeship providers, among other changes to apprenticeship training and IWD. [Registered For]
IEDA Omnibus Bill (SF 2301) – Division VI eliminates funding for the 260E new jobs training program. [Registered Against]
American history and government curricula (SF 2232 and HF 2361) – requires a state university to include American history and American government in core curricula requirements. [Registered Undecided]
Did not survive funnel
Bond Elections (SSB 3026) – Allows for bonds to be held on the day of a June primary in even-numbered years. [Registered For]
State Health Insurance (HF 2006) – allows the employees and official of non-state public employers who contribute to IPERS to enroll in the state health insurance plan. [Registered Undecided]
Make sure you’re signed up for Quorum to receive weekly legislative updates about important bill movement, proposed changes, and issues that we need you to take action on! Now that we’re past the first funnel deadline, we’ll see more floor action in either chamber, so don’t miss out on these important updates.
Federal Update
Workforce Pell Projected Shortfall
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released new baseline projections for the Pell Grant program. According to its estimates, the program is expected to face a $5.45 billion shortfall by the end of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 26). That shortfall is expected to grow to $11.5 billion by FY 27.
Despite the maximum Pell Grant award remaining flat for several years, program costs have increased significantly. The FAFSA Simplification Act – signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 – expanded eligibility and increased the number of students eligible for the maximum award amount. The new, simplified FAFSA has also led to more students successfully filing, further increasing participation in the program.
While Congress infused $10.5B to shore up the Pell Grant program as part of July’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that funding has not been sufficient to put the program back on safe financial footing. As Congress begins the FY 27 budget and appropriations process, we’ve asked our congressional offices to advocate for this critical program for our students
Strengthening Community College Training Grant
The sixth cycle of the strengthening community college training grant (SCCTG) was recently made available by the Department of Labor, along with $65 million worth of funding. The objective of this round is to fund community colleges aiming to build “program and system capacity for implementing and scaling access to short-term training opportunities through Workforce Pell Grants – i.e. promoting industry-driven strategies, worker mobility, and integration with the larger state workforce system (e.g., Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) partners) for statewide impact.” The deadline for applying is May 20, 2026. More information about the opportunity can be found here.
CCforIowa Bulletin
Leadership In Action Week is days away, taking place March 2-6!
All community college supporters play a big role in raising public awareness and directly advocating to the Iowa legislature for positive community college policies. It is with the help of supporters, legislators, and the public that the Iowa Community College System was created in 1966 and continues to build toward a stronger future for our state. Leadership In Action Week is our opportunity to use one voice to speak to the role of community colleges, the successes of each institution and our collective network. Follow CCforIowa on social media to see how we celebrate 60 Years of Impact next week!
Community Colleges Day on the Hill: Webinar Recording Available for Attendees
CCforIowa’s advocacy team held a webinar to share what is top of mind of legislators for community college priorities, the overall political environment of the Capitol so far this session, and day-of logistics. If you plan to attend Community Colleges Day on the Hill, we encourage you watch the recording of the webinar, available here.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society All Iowa Academic Team
81 accomplished students met rigorous academic requirements to be named to the All Iowa Academic Team this year. Our honorees are leaders who navigate adversity, seek opportunity, and succeed in their academic, professional, and personal lives. See their names and bios here.
During next week’s ceremony, several students will take the mic to share the journey that led them to enroll in community college and their perspective on why community colleges are important. The students selected to speak are:
Kadin Walter, Iowa Lakes Community College
Thanh Ngo, Des Moines Area Community College
Clarissa McNally, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
Alexandra Mathis, Western Iowa Tech Community College
Iowa Represented in Washington, D.C. during ACCT’s National Legislative Summit
An Iowa delegation participated in the Association of Community College Trustees’ National Legislative Summit earlier this month. CCforIowa Executive Director Emily Shields and Director of Government Relations Ryan Roberts were joined by nearly 20 others, including presidents, faculty/staff, trustees, and students.
In addition to sessions for community college leaders from across the country, we strive to meet with every Iowa-elected official in Congress to discuss the impact of federal policies on our state.
This year’s meetings included:
Senator Chuck Grassley
Representative Zach Nunn
Representative Randy Feenstra
Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks
It was a successful year of giving Iowa a voice in national legislation and ensuring our Congressmembers have a timely perspective on community college priorities.
Executive Director Emily Shields Attended Community College Baccalaureate Association’s 2026 Conference
With the theme of “Degrees of Change,” keynotes and sessions highlighted how others across the country are creating dynamic and sustainable economic growth for students, their families, and communities. It was particularly insightful to get a closer look at successful programs in other states that have expanded access to place-bound students, working adults, and others as we work on bringing this important model to Iowa. Next year’s conference will be in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Feb. 17-19.
News
Times-Republican: “Iowa Valley’s 260 programs strengthen our region’s workforce and deserve continued support”
In an op-ed written by Iowa Valley Community College District President Anne Howsare Boyens, she states: “Marshalltown and the surrounding communities have long understood the value of partnerships. Nowhere is that more evident than in the success of Iowa Valley’s 260 workforce training programs. These programs, especially the Industrial New Jobs Training Program known as 260E, have played a major role in strengthening our employers, supporting our workers, and keeping rural Iowa competitive.” Read the full article here.
The N’West Iowa REVIEW: “Hartog: What’s at stake for Northwest Iowa students, workforce”
In an op-ed written by Northwest Iowa Community College President John Hartog, he states: “In communities across Northwest Iowa, families, students and local employers depend on access to education and workforce training that keeps our region strong. From advanced manufacturing and health care to information technology, electrical and the skilled trades, the strength of our regional economy depends on a steady pipeline of trained professionals.” Read the full article here.
The Messenger: “Iowa Central Community College provides customized training for local industries”
Thanks to the 260E program, Iowa Central Community College partners with local businesses like AgState, Prestage Farms, and New Cooperative to upskill workers and strengthen the workforce. Local companies can consider expansion and modernization without worrying about being solely responsible for training their potential employees.
“Without Iowa Central Community College, the core workforce development initiatives AgState has launched over the past several years, including comprehensive CDL, commercial applicator, and leadership training would not have been possible,” said Elissa Barrick, vice president of Human Resources from AgState.
KIMT3: “$75k grant to boost student re-enrollment at Iowa community colleges”
10 Pathway to Completion Grants are helping Iowa community colleges remove barrier for student re-enrollment. By clearing up to $7,500 in debt per student, the grants aim to boost re-enrollment and allow students to complete their degrees. The following colleges have been named in this grant: Des Moines Area Community College, Eastern Iowa Community College, Hawkeye Community College, Iowa Central Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College, Kirkwood Community College, North Iowa Area Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, Southeastern Community College, Western Iowa Tech Community College. Read the full article here.
KWWL: “Virtual fences in Iowa: How GPS tech aids cattle management”
Students at Northeast Iowa Community College are getting hands-on experience with new GPS technology, which allows agricultural professionals to set virtual boundaries in existing pastures. This technology allows cattle farmers to more directly control the cattles’ grazing and keep their land healthy and thriving over the course of the year. Read the full article here.
Resources
Trustee Tip: Advocacy is a Key Responsibility of Trustees
Trustees have been influential in shaping Iowa community college policy, often accrediting their vision and relationships with their elected officials for milestone legislation. As we look at 60 Years of Impact this year, there are fingerprints of Trustees on every single success. The Trustee Handbook provides an overview of:
How Statewide Legislative Priorities Are Developed (Page 16)
How Trustees Can Get Involved in Advocacy (Page 17)
Advocacy Milestones and Major Accomplishments (Pages 19)
We appreciate the special and unique approach each and every Trustee has to building and maintaining relationships with their area’s legislators. Our Director of Government Relations Ryan Roberts is available for any questions or help, as we hope to keep Trustees up to date on legislative activity and forecasts. He can be reached at rroberts@ccforiowa.org.
Measuring Success: Results from the 2025 Survey of Community College Outcomes
In 2025, the Survey of Community College Outcomes (SCCO) collected data on 189 community and technical colleges, including 121 schools in the Fifth District. Iowa was the first state in the nation to commit to enthusiastically measure and provide the recorded data needed to national comparisons of student progress, completion, and equity across peer institutions, allowing colleges to understand their performance in context and identify opportunities for improvement. This year’s report shows a stronger understanding of community college student journeys and important benchmarks for success. Read the report here.
Register for the Data in Action Series’ Spring Sessions + Topics
First session done: see the recording and slides
We launched the first official session of our Data In Action Series with Kelly Friesleben from the Iowa Department of Education, who focused on “Using Data to Improve Student Success.” We wrapped the session by taking a closer look at Iowa Valley Community College District’s progress in leveraging student information systems and early alert data to better understand student needs and implement targeted strategies that support student achievement. Find the webinar recording and slides here.
Register now for future sessions
The initial design of this series is to host monthly webinars throughout the spring. Upcoming dates, times, and topics are:
- Wednesday, March 25 – 12-1:30 pm – Program Review & Curriculum Improvement
- Monday, April 20 – 3-4:30 pm – Workforce Alignment & Employer Engagement
- Thursday, May 14 – 9-10:30 am – Enrollment Management & Strategic Planning
- Monday, June 8 – 12-1:30 pm – Operational Efficiency & Resource Allocation
These topics may be helpful to several departments or positions on each campus. All who are interested are encouraged to attend as we embrace data at every level! Read each session’s description here.
Iowa Chapter of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators’ 2026 Spring Conference to be held April 14-15 in Des Moines
Join IAAPPA and other education facilities professionals from across Iowa to discuss, collaborate, and learn about the newest challenges and opportunities facing Iowa’s educational institutions today. This conference is being held in Des Moines’ East Village at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown. Register here.
