A bill for an act relating to the ability of persons to examine the public records of school districts.

Iowa Senate File 2160 is a bill introduced on January 29, 2026, aimed at enhancing public access to school district records. Sponsored by Republican Senators Doug Campbell, Lynn Evans, and Mike Pike, the bill seeks to ensure that individuals can examine public records maintained by school districts. The bill was referred to the Senate Education Committee and assigned to a subcommittee comprising Senators Evans, Pike, and Trone Garriott on February 3, 2026. As of now, the bill is pending further action in the committee.

Supporters of SF2160 argue that the bill promotes transparency and accountability within school districts by facilitating public access to records. They believe that enabling individuals to examine these records will foster trust between the community and educational institutions, ensuring that school operations are conducted openly and responsibly.

Critics of SF2160 express concerns that increased access to school district records could lead to potential privacy violations, particularly regarding sensitive information about students and staff. They also worry that the bill might impose additional administrative burdens on school districts, diverting resources away from educational priorities to manage and respond to public records requests.