House amends and approves bill prioritizing in‑state students in University of Iowa nursing program
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Summary
House File 2226 was amended to require 70% in‑state admission priority at the University of Iowa's nursing program (delayed to 2027) and passed after debate about statewide nursing seat shortages and impacts on smaller institutions.
House File 2226 would require the University of Iowa's bachelor of science in nursing programs to give priority admission to a specified share of students from state residents. Representative Wills explained the amendment H8002 reduced the originally proposed 80% threshold to 70% and pushed the start date to 2027.
Opponents, including Representative Brown Powers, warned the requirement could worsen statewide nursing‑program seat shortages (the transcript noted a claim that about 40% of seats are unfilled statewide) and could pull students away from smaller or private colleges. Sponsor Representative Wills and others said the change would protect Iowa residents and argued it could help retain graduates who stay in the state.
The amended bill passed on a roll call with 62 yeas, 29 nays and 9 absent; the chair declared the bill passed and the title agreed to. The measure was messaged to the Senate.
Next steps: Sent to the Senate for consideration.