This bill grants law enforcement officers the right to challenge a prosecutor's decision to place them on a Brady-Giglio list, which flags them as having credibility issues that could affect their ability to testify in court. It allows officers to petition a district court for a confidential review of the evidence used to make that decision, with the court empowered to remove the officer from the list if the challenge is successful. If an officer wins the legal challenge, the court must award them reasonable attorney fees and court costs, which are paid by the state or the local government responsible for the prosecutor. The law applies retroactively to all such placements made on or after July 1, 2021, ensuring past cases are also covered by these new protections.
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 grants law enforcement officers the right to appeal or intervene in decisions by prosecuting agencies to place them on a Brady-Giglio list, which restricts their ability to testify in cases involving evidence that could exonerate the accused. It establishes a process where a district court reviews these decisions behind closed doors, examining confidential evidence to determine if the officer should remain on the list. If the court rules in favor of the officer, it can remove them from the list and order the state or local government to pay for the officer's legal fees and related costs. The law applies immediately and covers officers placed on the list since July 1, 2021, regardless of when the bill is enacted.
This bill appropriates funding for the Iowa judicial branch for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, covering salaries, operational expenses, and specific programs for juvenile services. It allocates over $203 million for judicial staff and operations, $3.6 million for jury and witness fees, and additional funds for juvenile court services and graduated sanctions. The legislation establishes rules for distributing juvenile service funds among districts, prohibits courts from ordering counties to pay for state-funded juvenile services, and requires the judicial branch to use existing state financial systems while submitting monthly budget reports. Furthermore, certain funds designated for juvenile services will not revert at the end of the fiscal year but will remain available for use until the close of the 2029 fiscal year.
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 bill grants law enforcement officers the right to appeal or intervene in decisions by prosecuting agencies to place them on a Brady-Giglio list, which restricts their ability to testify in court due to potential credibility issues. It establishes that district courts will review these cases, often in closed sessions, and has the authority to remove an officer from the list if the decision is unjustified. If an officer wins their appeal, the law requires the employing state, municipality, or county to pay for their legal fees and other court costs. The changes apply immediately and also cover cases where officers were placed on the list on or after July 1, 2021.
This bill appropriates state funds to the Iowa judicial branch for the fiscal year 2026-2027, providing approximately $202.7 million for salaries, staff, operations, and various court services. Key provisions include specific funding for juvenile court services, court-ordered services for children, jury and witness fees, and delinquent fine collection efforts. The legislation also requires the judicial branch to use state budget systems, submit monthly financial reports, and maintain district court clerk offices in all 99 counties. Additionally, it establishes reporting requirements for court technology funds and limits on how the judicial branch can modify appropriations without legislative notice.
HF 2302 creates a public registry for "persistent domestic abuse assault offenders" in Iowa - defined as individuals convicted of domestic abuse assault (under §708.2A) with at least one prior similar conviction. The registry, maintained by the Department of Public Safety, will include offenders' names, birth dates, conviction dates, counties, and photos, but exclude addresses, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license details. Courts must report qualifying convictions to the Department within seven days, and offenders must pay a $150 registration fee ($50 to the court, $100 to the Department). Offenders are removed from the registry after 2, 5, or 10 years, depending on prior convictions, with the registry applying only to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2026.
HF 2556 bans all state agencies, law enforcement, and contractors acting for government from using automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems or retaining their data. It requires existing ALPRs to be removed and all collected data destroyed within 30 days of the law's effective date. The bill creates a private right to sue for violations (with $1,000+ per day penalties), prohibits ALPR evidence in court, and imposes civil fines of $10,000+ per violation. This replaces Iowa’s current law, which only required deleting ALPR images after 30 days, with a complete prohibition on the technology.
HF 2572 establishes a task force within Iowa's judicial branch to examine how legal services are delivered to indigent (low-income) individuals in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse/neglect court cases statewide. The task force must identify current service gaps, recommend improvements for competent representation, address conflicts of interest affecting public defenders, explore sustainable funding, and suggest ways to increase the number of qualified attorneys available. Composed of 12 members including judges, attorneys, public defenders, law school deans, and legislative appointees, the task force will meet annually from 2026 to 2030 and submit yearly reports to the governor and legislature. This bill creates a structured process for evaluating and improving legal aid access but does not implement direct policy changes or funding.
