91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Sunday, November 8, 2026

HSB 13: Relating to indigent defense and the appointment of counsel by the court

Became HF 317 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

This bill relates to indigent defense and the appointment of counsel by the court. The bill provides that a noncontract attorney appointed by the court, without the consent of the attorney, who is accused of ineffective assistance of counsel shall be treated as a state employee under Code chapter 669 (state tort claims), including defense and indemnification under Code section 669.21, which provides that the state shall defend any employee, and shall indemnify and hold harmless an employee against any claim.

Cost

See the fiscal note

3 million. Future settlement and judgment amounts involving ineffective assistance of counsel are unknown and the resulting fiscal impact to the General Fund cannot be determined.

House subcommittee · named January 15, 2025

Rep. Brian K. Lohse (R) · brian.lohse@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Rick L. Olson (D) · rick.olson@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Mark I. Thompson (R) · mark.thompson@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 1 against

For: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa State Bar Association

Against: Kurtis Bower

In plain words

January 15, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
January 15, 2025House subcommittee named: Lohse, Olson, Thompson and M
January 27, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
February 6, 2025Approved by the House committee
February 6, 2025Committee vote: 19–1
February 10, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 317