This bill provides funding and sets operational rules for the Iowa Department of Justice, the Office of Consumer Advocate, and the Department of Corrections for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates specific amounts to support the Attorney General's office, victim assistance programs, legal aid for low-income individuals, cybersecurity improvements, and the operation of state correctional facilities. The legislation also mandates that the Department of Justice track and report non-state funding sources, such as reimbursements from other agencies, and authorizes the hiring of additional staff for victim services and human trafficking training.
HF 2769 allocates approximately $202.7 million from the state general fund to the Iowa judicial branch for the fiscal year 2026-2027, primarily to pay salaries for judges, court staff, and administrative personnel. The bill also provides specific funding for jury and witness fees, interpreter costs, and court-ordered services for juveniles, including a provision that prevents counties from being billed for these state-funded juvenile services. Additionally, it establishes a $500,000 reserve for a potential specialty business court and mandates that district court clerk offices remain open during regular hours in all 99 counties. To ensure accountability, the legislation requires the judicial branch to submit monthly financial reports and semiannual updates on collected fines and court costs to state agencies.
This Iowa bill changes how money from the juvenile detention home fund is distributed to county and multicounty facilities. Under the new rules, every eligible detention home will first receive a guaranteed $150,000 allocation for that fiscal year. Any remaining funds in the fund will then be shared among the homes based on their proportion of the total costs incurred in the previous year. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for calculating these amounts and managing the distribution.
This bill clarifies which organizations qualify as religious institutions for property tax exemption purposes in Iowa. It expands the definition to include churches, associations of churches, and religious nonprofit corporations that operate primarily for religious reasons, even if they are not affiliated with a specific church. The changes will take effect for tax assessments starting on or after January 1, 2027.
HF 2768 provides funding for state government agencies and departments for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, including the Department of Administrative Services, Auditor of State, and the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. The bill allocates specific dollar amounts and full-time equivalent positions to cover salaries, operations, and specialized programs like state library services and historical site management. It also establishes rules for how certain funds, such as those for utility costs and workers' compensation, must be managed and carried over to future years if not fully used.
This bill modifies the sales or use tax refund available to biodiesel producers in Iowa by increasing the refund rate from four to five cents per gallon for the period between January 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027. The refund amount is calculated by multiplying the designated rate by the total number of gallons of biodiesel produced within the state during each calendar quarter. After January 1, 2027, the refund rate reverts to four cents per gallon, and the provision remains in effect until January 1, 2028. Additionally, the bill applies retroactively to cover biodiesel produced on or after January 1, 2026, ensuring that producers receive the higher refund rate for that initial period.
This bill establishes a grant program within the Iowa Department of Justice to fund nonprofit organizations that operate sexual assault forensic examination centers. To qualify for funding, these nonprofits must be independent of hospitals, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, and prioritize services for survivors, including adults, people with disabilities, and rural residents. The program requires the selected organization to provide medical forensic care, offer training to law enforcement and medical professionals, and submit annual reports on services provided and client demographics. Additionally, the bill creates a trust fund in the state treasury to accept private donations and state or federal money specifically for supporting these examination centers.
This bill establishes new definitions for "alternative nicotine products" and "vapor products" to include a wide range of non-tobacco items like e-cigarettes and their components, while excluding those already regulated as drugs or devices. It creates a dedicated state health care trust fund financed by taxes on these products and traditional tobacco, with a specific portion of the revenue allocated to pediatric cancer research and clinical therapy at the University of Iowa. Additionally, the legislation introduces an inventory tax for businesses holding stock of these products when tax rates increase and clarifies the roles of distributors, manufacturers, and wholesalers in the supply chain.
This bill provides funding and sets operational rules for Iowa's judicial branch for the fiscal year 2026-2027. It appropriates approximately $202.7 million for salaries, staff, and general operations, while allocating additional funds specifically for jury fees, juvenile court services, and delinquent sanction programs. The legislation also mandates that the judicial branch use state budget systems, submit monthly financial reports, and focus on collecting unpaid court fines and costs. Furthermore, it requires district court clerk offices to remain open during regular hours in all 99 counties and restricts the judicial branch from changing appropriation amounts without notifying the legislature.
This bill allocates $12.9 million and 102.6 full-time equivalent positions to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support business recruitment, expansion, and retention. It establishes specific goals for the authority to focus on commercially viable projects, adopt free-market practices, and coordinate with other agencies to foster an entrepreneurial environment. The legislation also includes restrictions requiring businesses receiving financial assistance to hire only individuals legally authorized to work in the United States and allows for the recapture of funds if a business knowingly violates this rule.
