Relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority

Sponsored by the Senate Appropriations Committee

Topics:State budget Courts & civil law

Same legislation: SSB 1215, HSB 250, HF 728

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedMarch 29, 2023
Done: SubcommitteeMarch 29, 2023
Done: Senate committeeApril 4, 2023
Done: Passes the SenateMay 2, 202332–16
Skipped: House committeeSkipped
Done: Passes the HouseMay 3, 202360–33
Done: To the GovernorMay 11, 2023
Done: Signed into lawJune 1, 2023

Signed with item vetoes Became law, with some items vetoed by the Governor. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary This bill provides funding for the Iowa judicial branch to pay for salaries, equipment, and child support services. It allows legal cases to be moved to a neighboring county if everyone involved agrees, and it lets judges skip travel reimbursements or take unpaid leave if court employees are furloughed. The money saved from these salary reductions can be used by the judicial branch for other needs.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill makes appropriations to the judicial branch.1302(3) for certain purposes. The bill provides that a civil trial including a jury trial may take place in a county contiguous to the county with proper jurisdiction, even if the contiguous county is located in an adjacent judicial district or judicial election district, if all the parties in a case agree. If a trial is moved to another county that is located in another judicial district or judicial election district, the judicial officers serving the judicial district or judicial election district receiving the case shall preside over the case. The bill permits a judicial officer to waive travel reimbursement for any travel outside the judicial officer’s county of residence to conduct official business. The bill allows a judicial officer to be placed on unpaid leave on any day a court employee is required to furlough. The bill provides that if a judicial officer is placed on unpaid leave, the salary of the judicial officer shall be reduced accordingly for the pay period in which the unpaid leave occurred. The bill provides that the judicial branch may use an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the salary reductions due to judicial officer unpaid leave for any purpose other than judicial salaries. The bill states legislative intent that the judicial branch utilize the Iowa communications network or other secure electronic communications in lieu of traveling.

Changed since by amendment S-3214; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed²

Senate subcommittee

Named March 29, 2023 (as SSB 1215). It hasn’t reported yet.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Lobbying

1 for · 0 against · 18 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

HF 864Became law89th GA SSB 3153Cleared committee89th GA HF 2558Became law89th GA SSB 1245Cleared committee89th GA

Study bill

SSB 1215Renumbered HSB 250Renumbered

90th General Assembly

SF 563Became lawfrom SSB 1215 HF 728Didn’t advancefrom HSB 250

Picked up later

SSB 1233Renumbered91st GA SSB 1225Cleared committee91st GA HF 2769Became law91st GA

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. A version became law.

SSB 1245 SSB 1245
89th General Assembly · In committee · nearly identical
Cleared committee
HF 2558 Relating to appropriations to the judicial branch
89th General Assembly · Signed with item vetoes · very similar
Became law
SSB 3153 SSB 3153
89th General Assembly · In committee · very similar
Cleared committee
HF 864 Relating to appropriations to the judicial branch
89th General Assembly · Signed by Governor · very similar
Became law
SSB 3104 SSB 3104
88th General Assembly · In committee · very similar
Cleared committee
SF 616 Relating to appropriations to the judicial branch. Effective 7-1-19
88th General Assembly · Signed by Governor · similar
Became law
SSB 1142 SSB 1142
88th General Assembly · Introduced · similar
Didn’t advance

Similar bills this General Assembly

SSB 1233 Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch
91st General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 648
Nearly identical
SSB 1225 Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch
91st General Assembly · In committee
Very similar
HF 2695 Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch, and including effective date…
90th General Assembly · Withdrawn
Very similar
SSB 3190 SSB 3190
90th General Assembly · In committee
Very similar
HF 2769 Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch
91st General Assembly · Signed by Governor
Very similar

Matched by wording or an identical title.