All Roll Calls
Yes: 144 • No: 72
IowaHF 276991st General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET
A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch. (Formerly HSB 776.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Funding keeps Iowa court services running
The law provides about $202.7 million for Iowa courts from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It pays for judges, court staff, juvenile court officers, child support payment processing, audits, equipment, and upkeep. Every district court clerk’s office must open during regular courthouse hours beginning July 1, 2026.
Civil trials gain neighboring county options
From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, all parties can agree to hold civil trials in a neighboring county. This includes jury trials. The county must border the county with proper jurisdiction, but can cross judicial or election district lines. Court staff must treat the move as a change of venue.
Funding covers jury and witness costs
The law provides $3.6 million for court participation costs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The revolving fund covers jury and witness fees and mileage, plus the cost of summoning jurors. It also covers interpreters, translators, and reimbursement of attorney fees paid by the state public defender. The law does not set an individual payment amount.
Funding supports court services for youth
The law provides $3.29 million for court-ordered youth services for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Up to $1.556 million supports school-based supervision, including up to $25,000 for training; administration may use up to $83,000. The interstate juvenile commission payment cannot exceed its actual annual membership fee. The state court administrator sets district shares using census data within 30 days after its annual release. Unspent, uncommitted funds remain available through the close of the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2029.
Funding supports graduated sanctions for youth
The law provides $12.253 million for Iowa’s graduated sanctions services for youth from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. These services provide a range of responses to juvenile delinquency. State savings from seeking federal Title IV-E matching funds for juvenile court administration also support these services. The law does not specify the savings amount. Unspent, uncommitted funds remain available through the close of the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2029.
Judicial council opens retirement system discussions
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law establishes a Judicial Council chaired by Iowa’s chief justice. Members include district chief judges and the Court of Appeals chief judge; they meet at least twice yearly. The council advises the Supreme Court on court supervision and administration, and cannot close meetings that discuss judicial retirement. The state court administrator administers the retirement system and related reports, may issue rules consistent with law, and advises the council on retirement decisions. The law does not change retirement benefit amounts.
Business court receives funding with conditions
The law appropriates $500,000 for a specialty business court from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It covers business court judges’ salaries and the cost of starting and running the court. The appropriation depends on enactment of 2026 Iowa Acts, Senate File 639. It funds the court, not direct payments to businesses.
Court spending faces stronger public oversight
Beginning July 1, 2026, the judicial branch must notify the Legislative Services Agency before changing appropriations under this law. Notices must explain the reasons and supporting workload and performance measures. Courts must use state budget, payroll, and accounting systems without duplicating them. Monthly financial reports must compare budgeted and actual spending and staffing for the agency and Department of Management. By January 1, 2027, courts must report modernization fund receipts, spending, and plans for July 2026 through June 2027.
Courts prioritize collecting overdue court debt
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa courts must focus on collecting overdue fines, penalties, fees, court costs, and surcharges. People who owe these debts may face more collection efforts. Courts must report collections through the Iowa Court Information System every six months to legislative and state budget agencies. Reports cover collections since the previous report. Courts must also keep sharing sentencing and other criminal justice information with state agencies through that system.
Judges face unpaid leave and travel choices
From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Supreme Court can order judicial officers to take unpaid leave. Leave must fall on days when judicial branch employees are temporarily laid off, and reduces the officers’ biweekly pay. The branch can use the resulting salary savings for needs other than judicial salaries during that fiscal year. Judicial officers can also choose to waive reimbursement for official travel outside their home county. Travel waivers are optional.
Youth service limits protect county budgets
From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, courts cannot order state-funded youth services beyond a district’s available allocation. This can limit services for affected youth. Courts also cannot order counties to pay for state-chargeable services provided under a juvenile court order. These rules do not make youth or their families responsible for the cost.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 5/2/2026
Amendment H-8449
Yes: 59 • No: 26
House vote • 5/2/2026
Passed House
Yes: 56 • No: 29
Senate vote • 5/2/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 29 • No: 17
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
6/2/2026HouseReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
5/13/2026HouseNOBA: Final
5/3/2026legislatureMessage from Senate.
5/2/2026HouseImmediate message.
5/2/2026SenatePassed Senate, yeas 29, nays 17.
5/2/2026SenateSubstituted for SF 2486.
5/2/2026SenateRead first time, attached to SF 2486.
5/2/2026SenateMessage from House.
5/2/2026SenateImmediate message.
5/2/2026HouseExplanation of vote.
5/2/2026HousePassed House, yeas 56, nays 29.
5/2/2026HouseExplanation of vote.
5/2/2026HouseAmendment H-8449, yeas 59, nays 26, adopted.
5/2/2026HouseMotion to suspend rules failed.
5/2/2026HouseExplanation of vote.
5/2/2026HouseMotion to suspend rules for immediate consideration of amendment H-8454 to amendment H-8449, yeas 27, nays 57.
5/2/2026HousePoint of order raised on amendment H-8454 to amendment H-8449, ruled not germane.
5/2/2026HouseAmendments H-8418 and H-8422 out of order.
5/2/2026HouseAmendment H-8413 withdrawn.
5/2/2026HouseAmendment H-8454 filed.
5/1/2026HouseAmendment H-8449 filed.
4/30/2026HouseAmendments H-8413, H-8418 and H-8422 filed.
4/28/2026HouseNOBA: House Full Approps
4/15/2026HouseIntroduced, placed on Appropriations calendar.
4/15/2026House
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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HF 2770, A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the justice system, providing fees, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 775.) Effective date: 07/01/2026. Applicability date: 07/01/2026.