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SF 250

A bill for an act creating a rural attorney recruitment assistance program, and making appropriations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Annette Sweeney

SF 250 incentivizes attorneys to practice in rural Iowa by offering financial aid for education, improving access to legal services for underserved communities.

Subcommittee: Garrett, Campbell, and Winckler.
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Bill Summary · SF 250

Summary of SF 250: Rural Attorney Recruitment Assistance Program

Bill Number: SF 250
Introduced On: February 10, 2025
Current Status: Subcommittee: Garrett, Campbell, and Winckler
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Appropriations, Attorneys, College Student Aid Commission, Colleges and Universities, County Government, Rural Areas, Tuition

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of SF 250 is to establish a Rural Attorney Recruitment Assistance Program aimed at addressing the shortage of legal professionals in rural areas. The bill seeks to incentivize attorneys to practice in these underserved regions by providing financial assistance for their education and training.

Key Provisions

  1. Incentive Payments:

    • Eligible attorneys will receive an incentive payment in five equal annual installments.
    • Each installment will amount to 90% of the annual resident tuition and fees at the University of Iowa College of Law, as determined on July 1, 2026.

  2. County and Municipality Contributions:

    • Participating rural counties or municipalities must contribute 35% of the total incentive payments, also distributed in five equal annual installments.
    • Counties or municipalities can prepay their portion at any time during the five-year period.

  3. Payment Process:

    • After the rural county or municipality certifies payment to the attorney, the College Student Aid Commission will pay the remaining balance.
    • Payments from the College Student Aid Commission will only occur upon the completion of each annual employment obligation.

  4. Attorney Obligations:

    • Attorneys must enter into an agreement that includes:
      • Becoming a contract attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender, specifying a minimum number of hours to be worked each year.
      • Participation in volunteer lawyer projects through nonprofit organizations that provide legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable populations in Iowa.

  5. Additional Provisions:

    • Counties and municipalities may include additional provisions in the agreement to attract and retain attorneys, including residency requirements.

Impact

  • Target Audience: The bill primarily affects rural counties and municipalities in Iowa, as well as attorneys who are willing to practice in these areas.
  • Legal Services: By incentivizing attorneys to work in rural regions, the bill aims to improve access to legal services for residents in these communities, particularly for low-income and vulnerable populations.
  • Funding: The program will be funded through appropriations made by the state, although specific dollar amounts are not detailed in the current version of the bill.

Procedural Timeline

  • February 10, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Education Committee.
  • February 17, 2025: Bill reviewed by the subcommittee consisting of Garrett, Campbell, and Winckler.

This summary provides an overview of SF 250, outlining its objectives, key provisions, and potential impacts on rural legal services in Iowa.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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