A bill for an act providing for a review by the state board of regents of academic programs offered at regents institutions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

The act requires a Regents-wide review to map all programs to Iowa’s current and future workforce needs, with recommendations to keep, change, or eliminate each program.

Subcommittee recommends passage.

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SSB 1024 — Workforce First Act: Regents Review of Academic Programs

Overview

SSB 1024 would require the Iowa State Board of Regents to conduct a comprehensive review of all undergraduate and graduate academic programs offered by regents-governed institutions. The review aims to assess how well each program aligns with current and projected workforce needs in the state. The act is titled the “Workforce First Act” and requires collaboration with state education and workforce agencies. The bill has progressed through a subcommittee with a recommendation to pass.

Purpose and Intent

To evaluate whether and to what extent regents institutions’ academic programs align with Iowa’s current and future labor market needs.

To inform potential adjustments to programs to better match workforce demand, including continued, changed, or eliminated programs.

Key Provisions

Short title: “Workforce First Act.”

Scope: Review all undergraduate and graduate programs offered at institutions governed by the State Board of Regents.

Primary objective: Determine alignment of each program with current and future workforce needs in Iowa.

Consultation: The review must be conducted in consultation with the Iowa Department of Education and the Department of Workforce Development.

Timeline:

Completion: No later than the first meeting of the Regents Board occurring on or after November 1, 2025.
Reporting: A comprehensive report due to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than November 30, 2025.

Recommendations for each program:

Remain unchanged
Be eliminated
Be changed (with a description of the recommended changes)

Process and Timeline Details

Introduced: January 21, 2025

Legislative action: Subcommittee recommends passage (January 28, 2025)

Subcommittee members noted: Evans, Garrett, and Quirmbach

Referred to: Education (for consideration by the full committee and chamber)

Scope and Affected Parties

Affected institutions: All institutions of higher education governed by the State Board of Regents.

Affected stakeholders: Current and prospective students, university faculty and administrators, workforce development organizations, and state education and economic planning bodies.

Reporting and Accountability

The Regents Board must produce a program-by-program assessment with clear recommendations (unchanged, eliminated, or changed with described changes).

The Governor and General Assembly would receive the final report by November 30, 2025, enabling legislative and executive consideration of any recommended actions.

Potential Impacts (High-Level)

Could lead to consolidation, restructuring, or discontinuation of certain programs if misaligned with workforce needs.

May influence future budgeting, program approvals, and strategic planning at regents institutions.

Enhances alignment between higher education offerings and state workforce development objectives.

Status and Next Steps

Subcommittee recommendation: Passage

Next steps would involve consideration by the full committee, chamber floor actions, and any negotiations or amendments before potential enactment.