Hunter
01/19/26
The Iowa Legislature is considering a bill that would revamp the Board of Regents.
The Gazette reports proposed board changes include shortening the regent term from six years to four; removing the student regent’s voting power; and adding non-voting student representatives from each campus along with non-voting lawmakers from the House and Senate. The political affiliation of non-voting members would not be considered in the requirement that no more than five voting Board members be of the same political party.
The bill will remove the two non-voting senators and representatives on December 31 2029, and would then add a clause giving the Iowa Legislature the power to reverse approved Regent spending.
Another bill being advanced by Republican lawmakers would require Iowa’s three state-run universities to require students to take one course in American Government and American History. A separate bill would remove any required courses or course requirements that include diversity, equity, inclusion and critical race theory-related content.
The full Gazette article is below.