SSB 1265

This bill relates to and makes appropriations to the justice system. The bill makes appropriations from the general fund of the state for FY 2021-2022 to the departments of justice, corrections, public defense, public safety, and homeland security and emergency management, and the Iowa law enforcement academy, office of the state public defender, board of parole, Iowa state civil rights commission, and the criminal and juvenile justice planning division of the department of human rights. The bill appropriates moneys from the department of commerce revolving fund for FY 2021-2022 to the office of consumer advocate of the department of justice. The bill appropriates moneys from the gaming enforcement revolving fund for FY 2021-2022 to the department of public safety. The bill appropriates moneys from the 911 emergency communications fund for FY 2021-2022 to the department of homeland security and emergency management. The bill appropriates moneys from the consumer education and litigation fund for FY 2021-2022 to the department of justice for farm mediation services and salaries, support, maintenance, and miscellaneous purposes for criminal prosecutions, criminal appeals, and performing certain duties. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Currently, the attorney general is required to appoint a staff member to represent the treasurer of state and the workers’ compensation fund in all proceedings and matters arising under the second injury compensation Act. _____ The bill provides that the attorney general shall be reimbursed up to $450,000 annually from the fund for services provided related to the fund. CONSUMER EDUCATION AND LITIGATION FUND.16C, are increased from $1,125,000 to $1,875,000, and $75,000 to $125,000, respectively. PUBLIC SAFETY. The bill allows peace officers or full-time officers employed within the department of public safety and the department of natural resources that are not covered under a collective bargaining agreement to have the option to participate in the group health insurance plan that is negotiated between the state and the state police officers council labor union (SPOC) for peace officers and full-time officers.13 subject to the requirements of this Code section. The department is authorized to retain any savings to the department for peace officers, and full-time officers not employed in the law enforcement bureau of the department, participating in the group health insurance plan from moneys appropriated to the department. The department shall calculate the savings to the department for full-time officers employed in the law enforcement bureau of the department who are participating in the group health insurance plan.17 from moneys appropriated to the department an amount equal to the savings calculated by the department.