Lawmakers eliminate open enrollment deadline

by Katie Obradovich & Kate Kealey

Iowa Capital Dispatch

Iowa lawmakers ended the 2022 legislative session early Wednesday, May 25, with action on some familiar topics: school choice and election law.

The Iowa Senate adjourned for the year at 12:11 a.m. and the House followed at 12:17 a.m. Before they went home, Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate voted to eliminate a deadline for open enrollment, over the objections of Democrats who said the move would throw school district budgets into chaos.

Earlier in the week, House Republican leaders had pulled the plug on the governor’s priority bill that would have provided state aid to help families pay for private school tuition and expenses.

“And now, the 2022 legislative session is ending after a month of overtime with Governor Kim Reynolds campaigning against incumbent members of her own party in the House because she wants to use our public, taxpayer dollars to pay for private school vouchers,” Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, said.

Instead, Republicans in both chambers pushed through a provision to repeal the school open enrollment deadline of March 1. If the bill is signed into law, students and parents can choose to open enroll to any district in the state. Student-athletes would still be required to sit out of a sport if they transfer districts. The measure would be effective immediately following the governor’s signature.

House Minority Leader Rep. Jennifer Konfrst said the open-enrollment deadline is in place so schools can plan their budget.

“The fact that they are throwing out that deadline, allowing people to transfer any time for any reason seems to be 

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a reaction to some political thing that is happening around the state and not in the best interest of kids,” Konfrst said. “Parents and families have the choice to enroll in different schools, schools deserve to know when that is going to happen. That is why we have the deadlines in place, that is why the law currently exists. This is just an overreach”

House Speaker Pat Grassley told reporters that Democrats were focusing only on the implications for the school district, with no concern for the parents.

“We want to have certainty for school districts, but also there needs to be a level of certainty that when you enroll your child in K-12 education… that you have assurance as to what they’re going to get from their education,” said Grassley.

Lawmaker bar private money for elections

The bill also included a pair of 11th-hour election changes. The proposal would bar the Iowa secretary of state or county auditor from accepting any non-public money for conducting an election. 

The legislation also prohibits statewide elected officials from spending taxpayer money to send out mass mailings using their image or likeness within 60 days before an election. 

The House also voted in the standings bill to enhance criminal penalties for minors in possession of a firearm, creating a class D felony punishable up to five years of incarceration. Minors could also be charged with an aggravated misdemeanor with up to two years of jail time and a $250 fine.

Republicans said this amendment closes a loophole that now allows 16- and 17-year-olds to access firearms. House GOP leaders proceeded with debate despite an objection from Democrats that the law requires a minority impact statement before implementing.

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