Criminal Justice

HF 1046 is a bill that appropriates state funds for various operations within Iowa's justice system for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. It allocates money to the Department of Justice for purposes such as the Attorney General's office, victim assistance grants (including those for human trafficking victims), legal services for low-income individuals, and cybersecurity infrastructure. The bill also provides funding for the Office of Consumer Advocate and the operation of state correctional facilities like Fort Madison and Anamosa. Additionally, it outlines staffing levels for certain justice department functions and includes reporting requirements for agency funding.

This bill establishes a new prison construction account within the Iowa prison infrastructure fund. Starting in fiscal year 2025, once bonds for the Iowa State Penitentiary are paid off, an equivalent amount will be deposited annually into this new account. These funds can then be appropriated by the General Assembly for building new prisons or replacing infrastructure at existing correctional facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates annual infrastructure project reports from the Department of Corrections and creates a legislative study committee to examine future prison capacity needs.

SF 644 is a funding bill that allocates state money to key parts of the justice system. It directly provides resources for legal representation for people who cannot afford an attorney (indigent defense), funds for rebuilding or improving correctional facilities (corrections capital reinvestment), and manages federal funds received by the corrections system (corrections federal receipts fund). The bill specifies how these funds are to be used and when the funding takes effect. It was signed into law by the Governor on June 11, 2025.

This bill (HSB 36) requires Iowa law enforcement and criminal justice agencies to preserve biological evidence (like DNA from crime scenes) for specific periods: 20 years after a conviction or until a defendant is released from custody, whichever is longer. It also mandates that prosecutors disclose 90 days before trial if they plan to use testimony from incarcerated witnesses (e.g., inmates offering statements in exchange for benefits like reduced sentences), and prohibits using such testimony obtained through improper rewards. The law applies directly to defendants, prosecutors, and agencies handling criminal investigations, ensuring evidence is stored properly and witness testimony transparency is maintained. Key mechanisms include strict retention timelines, mandatory documentation, and advance notice requirements before destroying evidence or using incarcerated witnesses.