On June 2-4, 2026, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed two bills—Senate File 2299 (SF 2299) and Senate File 2320 (SF 2320)—that would have imposed new requirements on high school students participating in concurrent enrollment or district-to-community college sharing programs. 

What the Bills Would Have Done

•  SF 2299: Required high school students (or their parents/guardians) to reimburse school districts for the cost of community college courses if the student failed or withdrew from the class. 

•  SF 2320: Mandated that students attend community college courses in person when available, unless a superintendent granted an exception for online participation. 

These measures aimed to increase accountability and promote in-person learning in dual enrollment programs.

Governor’s Rationale

Reynolds argued that the bills would reduce flexibility and accessibility in concurrent enrollment programs, which allow high school students to earn college credits at little or no cost. She emphasized that local school districts and community colleges are best positioned to manage these partnerships without additional state mandates that could discourage participation. 

In her veto messages, the governor highlighted the importance of keeping these programs accessible to help students get a head start on higher education. 

Reactions and Context

The vetoes were part of Reynolds’ final actions on legislation in the 2026 session. Supporters of the bills viewed them as promoting responsibility and effective use of taxpayer-funded education. Critics of the veto, or those favoring the rules, saw potential for abuse or reduced rigor in online options. 

This decision preserves flexibility in Iowa’s popular concurrent enrollment programs, which have helped thousands of high school students earn college credits. The issue may resurface in future legislative sessions.