Iowa House Committee Passes Bills Restricting DEI and Hiring Practices at Universities

Legislation would limit diversity, equity and inclusion offices at private colleges and restrict hiring of foreign nationals at public universities.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Iowa House Higher Education Committee has passed several bills that would restrict diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices and hiring at the state's public and private universities. The legislation includes measures to limit DEI offices at private colleges, require the Iowa Board of Regents to review and eliminate DEI and critical race theory content from university curricula, and bar state universities from hiring Chinese citizens with H-1B visas.

Why it matters

These bills reflect an ongoing debate in Iowa and across the country over the role of DEI initiatives in higher education. Supporters argue the measures are necessary to protect academic freedom and prevent political indoctrination, while critics contend the bills are an overreach that will harm students and undermine the state's universities.

The details

The committee passed several bills, including one that would put the Iowa Tuition Grant at risk for private universities with DEI offices, another requiring the Board of Regents to review and eliminate DEI and critical race theory content from university curricula, and a third barring state universities from hiring Chinese citizens with H-1B visas. An amendment was added to the latter bill to expand the restriction to citizens of other 'federally designated foreign adversaries'.

  • The bills were passed by the Iowa House Higher Education Committee on February 11, 2026.
  • The proposed restrictions on hiring Chinese citizens with H-1B visas would take effect starting in July 2026.

The players

Iowa House Higher Education Committee

The legislative committee responsible for overseeing higher education policy in the Iowa House of Representatives.

Rep. Timi Brown-Powers

A Democratic member of the Iowa House who expressed concerns that the bills targeting private universities would harm students.

Rep. Heather Matson

A Democratic member of the Iowa House who noted the inconsistency of applying anti-DEI rules to private colleges but not private K-12 schools.

Rep. Taylor Collins

The Republican chair of the Iowa House Higher Education Committee, who indicated he might be open to expanding anti-DEI rules to private colleges.

Rep. Steven Holt

The Republican sponsor of a bill that would require the Board of Regents to review and eliminate DEI and critical race theory content from university curricula.

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What they’re saying

“In this particular bill, the person that's going to get hurt in this is probably just the student and no one else.”

— Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, Democratic member of the Iowa House (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“I think this language came as a result of discussions with the universities and concerns I've heard on the committee, and I believe will address some of those concerns related to the original language being so stringent that it could prevent legitimate courses from being taught.”

— Rep. Steven Holt, Republican member of the Iowa House (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“I also think … if we're going to dictate everything in the day-to-day lives of our students, maybe we should just eliminate the Board of Regents and us take action there, and then, look at all the money you would save.”

— Rep. Dave Jacoby, Democratic member of the Iowa House (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

What’s next

The approved legislation will now move to the full Iowa House for potential debate and further consideration.

The takeaway

The bills passed by the Iowa House Higher Education Committee reflect an ongoing political battle over the role of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education. While supporters argue the measures are necessary to protect academic freedom, critics contend they are an overreach that will harm students and undermine the state's universities.