SSB 3137: Requiring cost-benefit analyses of county jail projects, and including effective date provisions

What it does

This bill requires a county to conduct a study before approving a project to build a new jail, renovate percent or more of the existing jail property, or expand the grounds or structure of the jail. The study must compare the cost difference between the project and contracting with another county to utilize the other county’s jail facilities. The study shall include all of the following metrics: (1) the average monthly total prisoners booked into the current jail, including county residents, noncounty residents, those booked at the current jail, and those needing to be booked at a jail in a different county but whose case originated in the county; (2) the average food and medical costs per prisoner per year; (3) the average annual staffing costs; (4) the average annual equipment costs including depreciation, replacement costs, and required planning costs for the following five years; (5) the average costs for transporting prisoners to and from the jail; and (6) a list of surrounding counties’ jails including the rated capacities of each jail and the actual capacity of each jail.

Senate subcommittee · named February 10, 2026

• Sen. Mike Bousselot (R) · mike.bousselot@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Dawn Driscoll (R) · dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Renee Hardman (D) · renee.hardman@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 1 for, 1 against

For: VALOR Iowa

Against: Iowa State Association of Counties

In plain words

1. February 10, 2026Filed in the Senate and sent to the Local Government committee
2. February 10, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Bousselot, Driscoll and Hardman
3. February 16, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 17, 2026Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2368