Senate passes House File 2772, repurposes funds for housing renewal and trims World Food Prize line

The Iowa Senate passed House File 2772 on final reading after adopting an amendment that shifts program funding and codifies a housing renewal program.

Senator Gruenhagen, the senator from Scott, summarized the bill’s budgetary totals on opening remarks: “This bill appropriates nearly 39,000,000 from the general fund for fiscal year '27.” He told the chamber that Amendment 52-28 reduces the World Food Prize line by $50,000 (to $450,000) and provides $550,000 for a housing renewal program, placing that program into statute rather than pilot status.

The senator moved the amendment and the chamber adopted it by voice vote; later, after substituting House File 2772 for Senate File 24‑85, the Senate moved the bill for final passage. The secretary read the bill and the roll call produced 30 ayes and 16 nays; the presiding officer declared the bill passed by a constitutional majority.

Supporters framed the change as a reprioritization. Senator Gruenhagen said the modest $1,000,000 repurposing allows “a valuable recruitment opportunity” for in‑state tuition rates aimed at attracting students from neighboring states and that other education funding (including Future Ready Iowa appropriations) remains in place. Opponents had warned the cuts would harm workforce programs and adult literacy (see separate article).

After passage the Senate granted unanimous consent to withdraw Senate File 24‑85 and to immediately message House File 2772 to the House.

The action recorded the amendment’s adoption and the bill’s passage; the Senate adjourned following other routine business.