All Roll Calls
Yes: 120 • No: 15
IowaSF 64891st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
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.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Judicial branch gets $202.7 million
For FY 2026, the judicial branch gets $202.691 million. The money pays judicial officer salaries, runs child support payment handling, covers audit costs, and pays for maintenance, equipment, and other court needs. Funding starts July 1, 2025.
Judicial pay set; no extra raises
Starting June 20, 2025, set salaries are: Chief Justice $211,059; Supreme Court justice $201,609; Appeals Chief Judge $189,010; Appeals Judge $182,709; Chief District Judge $176,409; District Judge $170,108; Associate (district, juvenile, probate) Judge $151,208; Magistrate $46,621; Senior Judge $10,080. People at these rates do not get any extra raises under this or other laws.
More funds for juvenile justice services
For FY 2026, the state provides $12.253 million for juvenile delinquent graduated sanctions and $3.29 million for court‑ordered juvenile services. Any state savings from getting a federal Title IV‑E match go to sanctions services. Unspent funds for both programs stay available through June 30, 2029. The branch may also use juvenile services money to pay the interstate compact’s annual fee, up to the actual cost.
Unpaid leave and travel waiver for judges
From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, judicial officers can be placed on unpaid leave on days other court staff are on temporary layoff. Biweekly pay is reduced for those days. Officers may choose to waive travel reimbursement for trips outside their home county. The branch can use the salary savings for other needs, not for judicial salaries, during that year.
Clerk offices open during courthouse hours
Starting July 1, 2025, every county clerk of court office is open during regular courthouse hours. This improves in‑person access to filing and clerk services in all 99 counties.
One-year option to move civil trials
From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, civil trials, including jury trials, may be held in a neighboring county if all parties agree, even across judicial districts. The move is treated as a change of venue.
Funding for juries and court interpreters
For FY 2026, $3.6 million goes to a court revolving fund to pay jury and witness fees, mileage, juror summons, interpreter and translator costs, and some public defender reimbursements. Starting July 1, 2025, the fund can also cover managing and paying court interpreters and translators. Reimbursements for these costs must go back into the fund, which now carries forward year to year. By February 1 each year, the branch files a fund accounting and spending estimates. The revenue department’s collection fee cannot include the part of court debt for interpreter or translator fees.
Stricter court budget and reporting rules
Beginning July 1, 2025, the judicial branch must use the state’s budget, payroll, and accounting systems and cannot duplicate them. It must send monthly financial reports showing budgeted vs. actual dollars and staff counts. Before changing budget amounts in this law, it must notify the Legislative Services Agency with reasons and workload impacts. By January 1, 2026, it reports court technology fund receipts, spending, balances, and plans.
Stronger collection of past-due court debts
Beginning July 1, 2025, the judicial branch makes collecting past‑due fines, fees, surcharges, and court costs a priority. Twice a year, it reports how much was collected through the court system and shares needed case data with other state departments. People who owe court debt can face stronger collection actions.
Limits on state-paid juvenile services
No more than $1.556 million may fund school‑based supervision, and only $25,000 of that may fund training. The state court administrator must decide district allocations within 30 days after annual census data is released. A court cannot order a state‑paid juvenile service if the district’s funds are short. A court cannot make a county pay for services the state must cover. No more than $83,000 may be used for administration.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/14/2025
Passed House
Yes: 86 • No: 1
Senate vote • 5/13/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 34 • No: 14
Actions Timeline
Explanations of votes.
6/27/2025legislatureSigned by Governor.
6/11/2025GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/23/2025SenateNOBA: Final
5/21/2025legislatureExplanation of vote.
5/20/2025legislatureMessage from House.
5/14/2025HouseImmediate message.
5/14/2025legislaturePassed House, yeas 86, nays 1.
5/14/2025HouseSubstituted for HF 1048.
5/14/2025legislatureNOBA: Senate Floor
5/13/2025SenateRead first time, passed on file.
5/13/2025legislatureMessage from Senate.
5/13/2025SenateImmediate message.
5/13/2025legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 34, nays 14.
5/13/2025SenateAmendment S-3156 adopted.
5/13/2025legislatureAmendment S-3156 filed.
5/12/2025legislatureNOBA: Senate Full Approps
5/7/2025SenateCommittee report, approving bill.
5/6/2025legislatureIntroduced, placed on Appropriations calendar.
5/6/2025legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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