Operations, renovation funding requests go to legislature

The 2026 session of the Iowa Legislature opened Monday, Jan. 12. While property taxes and eminent domain policy are expected to receive lots of attention, setting a state budget for fiscal year 2027 will be important, too.

The state's three-member Revenue Estimating Conference announced last month it expects Iowa to collect $8.5 billion in FY 2027. That would be an increase over the estimated $8.16 billion it will collect this year, on the heels of three years of diminishing state revenue in response to a stair-step decrease (2023-25) to a flat income tax rate for all Iowans. The latest revenue estimate still is short of what the state spends. For context, legislators approved a $9.42 billion state budget for the current year.

Operations funding requests

As first shared in late September, Iowa State has two funding requests and a funding move request to the state for FY 2027, which begins July 1:

• $3 million for an Iowa Ag Tech Innovation Initiative that features $1.8 million more for the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station and $1.2 million more for ISU Extension and Outreach. The first part would support ag tech-focused faculty and staff who ensure emerging ag technologies -- such as drones, automation, sensors and artificial intelligence -- are adapted for optimal use on Iowa farms and in rural communities to improve animal health, boost corn and soybean production and improve the safety, efficiency and market value of Iowa-grown commodities. The second would support additional research-backed education programs and on-farm workshops in crop and livestock management, evolving data and precision technologies, and AI-driven decision making. With innovation advancing so rapidly, it's critical to equip producers, ag retailers and technical professionals with the skills to apply it effectively.
• $600,000 for Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) operations. With the anticipated opening this fall of the second phase of the new VDL, leaders estimate a $3 million increase to annual operations expenses, about two-thirds of which can be earned by innovating, expanding services and increasing testing fees. The additional funding is critical to maintain preparedness for foreign animal diseases while keeping testing accessible to producers. 
• Move three direct state appropriations into the general university appropriation: funds for the Ag Experiment Station, ISU Extension and Outreach and STEM workforce development, which total $51.4 million this year.

In September, the regents approved a late addition to its education appropriations request to the state: $1 million to address student mental health on the three university campuses. If the legislature appropriates it, Iowa State would receive an unspecified portion of this funding.

Atanasoff renovation funding request

Iowa State also seeks an $8 million state investment (PDF) over two years (FY 2027, FY 2028) toward an estimated $33 million renovation of the 56-year-old Atanasoff Hall, home to the computer science department. Private gifts would pay for the rest of the project. University leaders first presented the Atanasoff renovation as a priority during the regents' September 2024 meeting.

New state relations officer this session

Jillian Carlson, who began serving as the state relations officer for Iowa State in July, encourages employees and students to stay informed and participate in the democratic process as both citizens and members of the university community. They also should keep in mind that as employees of a public institution, federal and state rules limit their use of university resources -- such as time, equipment and systems. 

"To protect public trust and keep the university in compliance, please keep these reminders in mind as the legislative session gets underway," she said:

• You're welcome to engage as an individual. Employees may speak and act as private citizens, but should not state or imply that their views represent Iowa State University. If there's any chance of confusion, clearly note that you are speaking in a personal capacity.
• Use personal email to contact legislators. University email accounts are intended for business purposes. Do not use your Iowa State email to communicate with legislators, particularly about active legislation, potential policy proposals or funding requests.
• Keep campaign activity separate from your work. Political activity that supports candidates or ballot measures must occur on your own time and using your personal equipment, not university time, devices or other resources.
• Institutional positions/advocacy must follow the proper process. Advocacy on behalf of Iowa State University in support of, or opposition to, legislation must be coordinated and approved through the Iowa Board of Regents office.

"Thank you for helping ensure Iowa State can engage appropriately and effectively during the session," Carlson said. Questions about what's appropriate in a specific situation may be emailed to her.