Federal and state policy and legislative updates

NIRSA’s Government Affairs Committee stays up-to-date on the latest federal and state policy and legislative news through a variety of scanning tools. One particular resource they use is the bi-weekly Policy Pages provided by Active Policy Solutions. (For more on partnership, along with other SAHEC associations, have with Active Policy Solutions, see below.)

The policy issues included in the Policy Pages document are highlights of a point in time. They are by no means exhaustive and change continually – so matters discussed in the last issue normally will not carry over to the next unless there is some updated action to be discussed.

The Committee encourages NIRSA members to keep themselves informed on federal and state policy issues affecting their work as professionals on campuses. These issues could be specific to higher education, physical activity, or NIRSA’s strategic value areas. If you have an issue that is of concern to your campus, reach out the Government Affairs Committee.

Policy Page documents will be stored, as a resource for NIRSA members, in the NIRSA Connect Community library. You can find them within the “Member Benefits” folder in a subfolder titled “Federal and State Policy Pages.”

In this issue:

Government Updates

Federal FY26 Appropriations

• FY26 Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education funding bill reported by the US Senate Appropriations Committee

Federal Education

• US Dept. of Education Secretary calls for end of college and school COVID-19 vaccination requirements
• US Dept. of Education dismantling plans announced by House education committee Chair and US Sec. of Education
• Wagner College agrees to revise sports participation policies to comply with Title IX reports the US Dept. of Education
• Duke University federal civil rights investigation launched by the US Dept. of Education
• UCLA federal investigation finds civil rights violations due to indifference towards Jewish students reports The Hill
• Harvard University federal civil rights investigation turned over to the US Dept. of Justice for legal actions reports The Harvard Crimson
• Reed College discloses former student’s personal information to the FBI without a warrant or subpoena reports local news source
• College federal funding threatened by US Dept. of Justice’s new guidance on DEI practices reports Higher Ed Dive
• The Trump Administration’s higher education policy changes are discussed by the NACUBO reports Higher Ed Dive

Federal Health

• Teen rates of suicidal thoughts and depression declined between 2021 and 2024 finds HHS survey

State and Local Government

California

• California college student organ donor program and information dissemination authorizing bill signed into law

New Jersey

• New Jersey colleges and private businesses’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility initiatives supporting resolution introduced

North Carolina

• North Carolina bill, “Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Women and Minors Act,” governor’s veto overridden by the state legislature and becomes law
• North Carolina concealed carry of a handgun by eligible citizens authorizing bill vetoed by governor and sent to state legislation for possible veto override
• North Carolina college DEI office prohibition bill vetoed and sent to the state legislature for possible veto override

Oregon

• Oregon public college background checks on special campus security officers requiring bill signed into law

Texas

• Texas college DEI prohibition exemptions curtailing bill introduced during special session
• Texas college LGBTQ and gender studies degrees and courses prohibiting bill introduced during special session
• Texas college and state agency facility use based on sex assigned at birth bill introduced during special session
• Texas college employees’ telework exceptions establishing bill signed into law

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin service animals and emotional support animals in residential buildings bill introduced

Other News

• Harvard University establishes new office to unify Title IX and Title VI compliance efforts reports The Harvard Crimson
• Stanford University suspends two student-managed residences for antisemitic and discriminatory practices reports Campus Reform

About NIRSA’s partnership with Active Policy Solutions

As an association, NIRSA strives to monitor and track policy and legislative issues with the potential to impact our members or the campus communities they serve. These issues are wide ranging and may pertain to higher education, employment law, physical fitness, or our strategic values areas.

NIRSA has joined with a subset of SAHEC members (ACUHO-I, ACPA, ASCA, NASPA, and NIRSA) in hiring Active Policy Solutions to assist with monitoring, tracking, analyzing, and determining appropriate action on issues relevant to our associations. Through our partnership with SAHEC, NIRSA continues to monitor policy, legislation, and advocacy work that affects both the higher education and physical activity space. Active Policy Solutions provides government relations and advocacy support to NIRSA and the Association’s SAHEC partners.