ARC 0438D · Adopted rule
Extracurricular interscholastic competition, 36.1, 36.7(1), 36.8
Published Wednesday, July 22, 2026
AdoptedWhat it changes
This rulemaking implements changes to rules on interscholastic athletics by expanding the ability of eighth-grade students to compete on high school teams and by changing how periods of ineligibility due to transfers or open enrollment transfers are calculated. This rulemaking also makes a clarifying amendment to the physical examination requirement to account for the potential participation of eighth-grade students at the high school level. Reason for Adoption of Rulemaking WithoutPrior Notice and Opportunity for Public Participation Pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.4(3), the State Board finds that notice and public participation are unnecessary or impractical because statute so provides. 2026 Iowa Acts, House File 2591 as amended by 2026 Iowa Acts, House File 2800, requires emergency rulemaking to implement the expanded ability of eighth-grade students as described above. The legislation requires that the rules, the transfer period, and the open enrollment period become effective August 1, 2026.
In the agency’s words, from the notice.
Carries out
Reviewed by legislators
The committee, ten legislators from both parties, can object to a rule or delay it.