A bill for an act relating to the certificate of need process.

SF 2459 modifies Iowa's certificate of need process for health facilities, requiring state approval before major expansions or service changes. It defines "new institutional health service" to include facility construction (with cost thresholds rising from $4 million to $5 million over time), equipment purchases over $1.5 million, bed capacity changes, or new services exceeding specified dollar amounts. The bill adds an application fee of 0.3% of project cost (minimum $600, maximum $21,000), exempting facilities serving people with intellectual/mental disabilities. This directly affects hospitals and health providers planning significant capital investments or service changes above the defined financial thresholds.