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IA HF2286

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

2/5/2026

Primary Sponsor

Charley Thomson

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

91st General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Requires Iowa to adopt South Dakota's social studies standards as fixed statutory text, removing the Department of Education's discretionary authority to develop these standards.
  • Adds a third year of social studies to high school graduation requirements, joining the existing requirements of four years of English, three years of math, and three years of science.
  • Declares the Department of Education failed to comply with 2024 legislative mandates when drafting social studies standards, citing issues including omitting content on western civilization and founding documents.
  • Prohibits courts from applying administrative deference doctrines (including Chevron and Auer deference) when interpreting the adopted standards, requiring plain-meaning interpretation only.
  • Asserts the General Assembly's exclusive constitutional authority over public school curriculum and instructional requirements under Article IX, Section 12 of the Iowa Constitution.

Legislative Description

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the social studies curriculum, core curriculum, graduation requirements, area education agencies, and high school equivalency diplomas, and including transition provisions and effective date and applicability provisions.

Last Action

Introduced, referred to Education. H.J. 211.

2/5/2026

Committee Referrals

Education2/5/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available