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SF 265

A bill for an act implementing requirements related to organizations that sponsor or administer extracurricular interscholastic athletics, including the creation of a conference realignment committee.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Klimesh and 1 co-sponsor

Bill SF 265 mandates Iowa schools to establish a Conference Realignment Committee, ensuring fair athletic participation and gender equity in extracurricular sports.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 446.
#athletics #contests(competitions) #educationboard #extracurricularactivities #privateeducation #recreation #schooldistricts #schools #taskforces
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Bill Summary · SF 265

Summary of Bill SF 265

Bill Number: SF 265
Title: A bill for an act implementing requirements related to organizations that sponsor or administer extracurricular interscholastic athletics, including the creation of a conference realignment committee.
Status: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 446.
Introduced: February 11, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject: Athletics, contests (competitions), education board, extracurricular activities, private education, recreation, school districts, schools, task forces

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill SF 265 is to establish regulations for organizations that manage extracurricular interscholastic athletics in Iowa. The bill aims to enhance the governance and organization of athletic conferences, ensuring fair and equitable participation for member schools. It seeks to create a framework for a Conference Realignment Committee that will oversee conference affiliations and related policies.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant provisions:

  1. Definition of Organizations: It defines "organization" as the Iowa High School Athletics Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, or their successor organizations.

  2. Financial Restrictions:

    • Starting July 1, 2025, school districts and accredited nonpublic schools are prohibited from using state funds to pay dues or membership fees to any organization unless that organization establishes the Conference Realignment Committee.

  3. Conference Realignment Committee:

    • The committee is responsible for facilitating reasonable conference affiliations based on requests from member high schools.
    • Organizations must not change athletic conferences without the committee's directive.
    • An expedited review process for certain committee orders must be developed and implemented.

  4. Extracurricular Activity Requirements:

    • Member schools are required to offer at least one extracurricular interscholastic athletics activity for boys and one for girls in all seasons.

  5. Withdrawal Penalties:

    • Schools that withdraw from an athletics conference without approval will face a two-year ban from competing in any conference and from participating in tournaments sponsored by the organization in the same activity.

  6. Rule Adoption: The State Board of Education is tasked with adopting rules to administer the provisions of the bill.

Impact

This bill will primarily affect:

  • School Districts and Accredited Nonpublic Schools: They will need to comply with new financial and operational requirements regarding their participation in athletic organizations.
  • Athletic Organizations: The Iowa High School Athletics Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union will have to establish the Conference Realignment Committee and adhere to the new regulations.
  • Students and Athletes: The bill aims to ensure that students have access to a balanced range of athletic opportunities, promoting gender equity in sports.

Procedural Timeline

  • February 11, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Education Committee.
  • February 17, 2025: Subcommittee formed, including members Salmon, Gruenhagen, and Zimmer.
  • February 19, 2025: Subcommittee meeting held.
  • February 20, 2025: Subcommittee recommends passage of the bill.
  • February 26, 2025: Committee report approving the bill, renumbered as SF 446.

This summary provides an overview of Bill SF 265, outlining its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on the educational and athletic landscape in Iowa.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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