Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch
Sponsored by the Senate Appropriations Committee
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedMarch 11, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeMarch 11, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeApril 8, 2026
- Done: Passes the SenateMay 2, 202629–17
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseMay 2, 202656–29
- Done: To the GovernorMay 13, 2026
- Done: Signed into lawJune 2, 2026
HF 2769 became law → The same legislation passed as HF 2769, so this version was set aside. Go to HF 2769 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary This bill provides funding for the judicial branch to pay for things like salaries, equipment, and juvenile services. It allows civil trials to move to a neighboring county if everyone involved agrees, and it lets judges use electronic communication instead of traveling for work. Additionally, it changes the rules for how judicial council meetings are held and how judges are paid if they are placed on unpaid leave.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to and makes appropriations to the judicial branch.1302(3) for certain purposes, payment of court-ordered juvenile services, and juvenile delinquent graduated sanctions services. The bill provides that a civil trial including a jury trial may take place in a county contiguous to the county with proper jurisdiction 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. Under current law, governmental bodies, including a council created by state statute, are subject to Code chapter (official meetings open to public).5). The bill provides that a judicial council meeting in which the judicial retirement system is discussed shall not be held as a closed session. The bill requires the state court administrator to advise the judicial council on all determinations made by the state court administrator concerning the judicial retirement system.
Changed since by amendments S-5246, H-8449; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named March 11, 2026 (as SSB 3185). On April 1, 2026 it recommended 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
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
2 for · 0 against · 12 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Tried before
Study bill
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in 3 earlier General Assemblies. A version became law.
- HF 2695 Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch, and including effective date…90th General Assembly · Withdrawn · very similarDidn’t advance
- SSB 3190 SSB 319090th General Assembly · In committee · very similarCleared committee
- SSB 1215 SSB 121590th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 563 · very similarCleared committee
- SSB 1245 SSB 124589th General Assembly · In committee · very similarCleared committee
- SSB 3153 SSB 315389th General Assembly · In committee · very similarCleared committee
- HF 2558 Relating to appropriations to the judicial branch89th General Assembly · Signed with item vetoes · very similarBecame law
- HF 864 Relating to appropriations to the judicial branch89th General Assembly · Signed by Governor · similarBecame law
- SSB 3104 SSB 310488th General Assembly · In committee · similarCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- SSB 1225 Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch91st General Assembly · In committeeNearly identical
- SSB 1233 Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch91st General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 648Nearly identical
Matched by wording or an identical title.