A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch.(Formerly SSB 3185.)
Summary
Senate File 2486 is the Iowa judicial branch appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026-2027. It provides general fund funding for judicial salaries and operations, jury and witness expenses, court-ordered juvenile services, and juvenile delinquent graduated sanctions services. The bill also includes funding and administrative direction for child support processing, court technology and modernization, interpreter and translator costs, and reimbursement of certain state public defender attorney fees.
Beyond appropriations, the bill contains several policy and administrative provisions affecting how the judicial branch operates during the fiscal year. It allows civil trials, including jury trials, to be held in a contiguous county if all parties agree, even across judicial district lines; permits judicial officers to waive travel reimbursement for official travel; authorizes unpaid leave for judicial officers when judicial branch employees are furloughed; and expresses legislative intent that the branch use the Iowa Communications Network or other secure electronic communications instead of travel when possible. It also amends provisions governing the judicial council and judicial retirement system, including requiring open discussion of retirement matters and directing the state court administrator to advise the council on retirement-system determinations.
Impact
The bill would appropriate substantial state funds to the judicial branch and set conditions on how those funds are distributed and spent, particularly for juvenile court services and graduated sanctions. It also places reporting, accounting, and spending restrictions on the branch, including monthly financial reporting, semiannual collection reports, and limits on reallocation of appropriated funds without notice. The bill would temporarily alter procedures for venue, travel reimbursement, furlough-related pay treatment, and judicial council meetings, and it would amend Code sections 602.1202 and 602.9102 regarding the judicial council and judicial retirement system.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests the bill had meaningful support but was not unanimous, with the Senate Appropriations Report passing 12-6. The bill was later withdrawn, indicating that despite committee advancement, it did not complete the legislative process in its introduced form. Overall, the bill appears to have been treated as a routine but significant budget measure with some policy riders, rather than as a highly controversial standalone proposal.
Contention
The most notable points of contention are likely the bill’s operational directives and restrictions on judicial branch discretion, especially the limits on ordering juvenile services when funds are insufficient, the prohibition on charging counties for certain juvenile services, and the requirement for detailed reporting and notice before budget revisions. The provisions affecting judicial officer pay, unpaid leave, and travel reimbursement may also have drawn scrutiny because they directly affect judicial compensation and working conditions. The amendment making judicial retirement discussions open to the public could be contentious for those concerned about confidentiality in retirement-system administration, while supporters would likely view it as a transparency measure.
A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch, including judicial officer salaries and interpreter or translator fees, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 340.)
A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch including judicial officer salaries and interpreter or translator fees, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1233.) Effective date: 06/20/2025, 07/01/2025.
A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch, including juror compensation and judicial officer salaries, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 1048.)
A bill for an act relating to judicial officers, including magistrate appointments in judicial election districts, senior magistrates, and judicial officer compensation, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3155.)
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.