Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to a statewide urban design and specifications board, including assessment of costs for local government projects that do not comply with the board’s design or specifications manuals
Sponsored by the Senate Transportation Committee
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 16, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 16, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 18, 2026
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 31, 202628–18
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 4, 202661–36
- Done: To the GovernorMay 6, 2026
- Stopped: VetoedJune 2, 2026
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Iowa will create a new statewide board to set the rules and standards for how cities design and build public projects. This board will publish design manuals online and must explain any changes or extra costs that might happen. If a city or county approves a project that doesn't follow these rules, they have to pay for any extra costs that come up instead of making the property owner pay.1
Read the official explanation
This bill establishes the statewide urban design and specifications board (SUDAS board) within the department of transportation (DOT). The SUDAS board is required to develop statewide urban design standards and specifications (SUDAS), which may include soliciting recommendations from the institute for transportation at Iowa state university. Currently, the institute maintains Iowa’s SUDAS manuals for public improvements. The bill provides for members from the DOT and various nongovernment entities to serve as members on the SUDAS board. The SUDAS board is required to publish on the DOT’s internet site a design manual and a specifications manual, along with an analysis of any changes to the SUDAS manuals, and provide an estimate of expected cost variations that are likely to be incurred, if any, by implementing the changes. A SUDAS board member’s regular term of appointment is four years, and a vacancy must be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.5. The bill requires a county or city that approves a project plan that does not comply with the SUDAS manuals to pay any additional costs for projects resulting from the noncompliance. A property owner cannot be assessed any costs relating to projects on or adjacent to the owner’s property that result from the county’s or city’s noncompliant plan.
Why it matters. A new statewide board within the Department of Transportation will create design standards for public improvements. Cities and counties that approve project plans that do not follow these standards must pay for any resulting extra costs, though property owners cannot be charged for these expenses. The Department of Transportation expects to spend an estimated $231,000 annually for two new positions, while the Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University anticipates a loss of $450,000 in revenue and a reduction in expenses of $125,000 per year.2
Changed since by amendments S-5064, H-8126; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 16, 2026 (as SSB 3173). On February 18, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.
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
Fiscal note
Less revenue: up to $450,000 Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill creates a Statewide Urban Design and Specifications Board within the Department of Transportation to develop statewide design standards. The Department of Transportation expects to spend an estimated $231,000 annually for two new positions, while the Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University anticipates a loss of $450,000 in revenue and a reduction in expenses of $125,000 per year.4
Read the fiscal note
Description
Senate File 2394 establishes the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board within the Department of Transportation (DOT). The SUDAS Board is required to develop statewide urban design standards and specifications, which may include soliciting recommendations from the Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University (ISU). The Bill designates SUDAS Board members from the DOT and various private entities and states that Board members will serve without compensation and are not eligible to receive expense reimbursement. The SUDAS Board is required to publish on DOT’s website recommended manuals and cost estimates that may be incurred by implementing SUDAS changes. The Bill requires a county or city that approves a project plan that does not comply with the SUDAS manuals to pay any additional costs for projects resulting from noncompliance. A property owner cannot be assessed any costs relating to projects on or adjacent to the owner’s property that result from the county’s or city’s noncompliant plan.
The Bill provides that the SUDAS Board does not dissolve under Iowa Code section 4A.5.
Background
In 1995, the Governor assembled a task force on transportation to investigate ways to use Iowa’s Road Use Tax Fund more efficiently. One of the task force’s recommendations was that agencies “adopt common standards for construction specifications.” In 1998, the Central Iowa Committee published its design standards and specifications. As the Central Iowa Committee expanded, it was renamed the SUDAS Board. A statewide steering committee comprised of various stakeholder groups, including the DOT, cities, counties, and consultant and industry groups, was organized in 2002 to oversee the new SUDAS program. ISU maintains Iowa’s SUDAS manuals for public improvements and publishes recommendations on iowasudas.org. The ISU Institute of Transportation currently provides annual support totaling $125,000 per year and receives $450,000 per year from the DOT for administering the SUDAS program.
Assumptions
- The DOT would be responsible for managing and administering SUDAS rather than ISU.
- The DOT anticipates it will need 2.0 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, a Transportation Engineer Administrator and a Transportation Engineer Specialist, to manage SUDAS.
- The estimated annual cost of 1.0 Transportation Engineer Administrator is $126,000.
- The estimated annual cost of 1.0 Transportation Engineer Specialist is $105,000.
- ISU estimates a loss of revenue of $450,000 from the DOT due to SUDAS being administered by the DOT.
Fiscal Impact
The DOT estimates requiring an additional 2.0 FTE positions at an estimated $231,000 annually to administer the program. In addition, the ISU Institute for Transportation is anticipating a loss of revenue totaling $450,000 due to the DOT administering SUDAS and will reduce expenses for administrative support by $125,000 per year.
Sources
- Board of Regents
- Department of Transportation
- Statewide Urban Design and Specifications Board · March 4, 2026 · $450,000
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91st General Assembly