HF2711: Affirmative Action Removal

The bill strikes numerous provisions from Iowa law that require or reference affirmative action, race, gender, or citizenship in state employment, contracting, and educational programs. It removes the obligation to develop affirmative action plans, report on minority or gender representation, and utilize minority, women’s, or disadvantaged business enterprises. Instead, emphasis is placed on equal opportunity and the use of Iowa-based businesses. Several grant and educational programs targeting minorities are redefined or repealed. The bill also eliminates citizenship as a protected status for purposes of eligibility for professional licensing. Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Eliminates all state-mandated affirmative action planning, reporting, and related administrative positions/responsibilities within state agencies, Board of Regents, and education entities.

• Removes requirements to track or report on minority, gender, or disadvantaged status in state employment and contracting; reporting shifts to focus on Iowa-based businesses only.

• Strikes requirements that state agencies or educational institutions develop or report on affirmative action or minority recruitment/retention standards.

• Repeals or redefines several grant and education programs previously limited to or focused on minorities, removing race-based eligibility and references.

• Removes explicit protections based on citizenship status for applicants for professional licenses (health care, architecture, engineering, real estate, accounting, etc.), though still requires non-discrimination on other bases.

• Removes race/ethnic minority considerations from certificate of need review for health services and other state program eligibility criteria.

• Repeals requirements for minority impact statements in state grant applications and eliminates related reporting and compliance mandates.

• Directs code editors to update Iowa Code accordingly and to transfer certain code sections as a result of these changes.