A bill for an act relating to a statewide urban design and specifications board, including assessment of costs for local government projects that do not comply with the board’s design or specifications manuals.

SSB 3173 creates a statewide urban design and specifications board within Iowa's Department of Transportation. The board will develop and publish design and specifications manuals for local government projects, requiring counties and cities to follow these standards when approving projects. If a county or city approves a project that doesn’t comply with the board’s manuals, they must pay any additional costs - property owners cannot be charged for these noncompliance costs. The bill mandates the board to publish cost analysis for any manual changes and establishes a 15-member board with representation from local governments, industry groups, and the state.