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HF 2769

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Allocates and distributes judicial funds across districts, ensures state charges cover court-ordered juvenile services, and caps administration at 83,000 with transfers possible be

Signed by Governor.
#appropriations #judicialbranch
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Bill Summary · HF 2769

Summary of HF 2769 (2025-2026) — Iowa

Jurisdiction: Iowa
Purpose: A bill relating to appropriations to the judicial branch and the distribution and use of funds for court-ordered services, with provisions governing inter-district transfers of funds and cost-sharing.

1) Main purpose and intent

  • The bill focuses on the appropriation and distribution of funds to the judicial branch and specifies how those funds are to be allocated across judicial districts.
  • It aims to ensure that funds are allocated by the state court administrator after the annual census data is released, and to regulate the use of funds for court-ordered services to juveniles or others, particularly those that are charges upon the state.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Distribution of appropriated funds:
    • Funds appropriated in a specific paragraph of the bill must be distributed to judicial districts as determined by the state court administrator.
    • The state court administrator must determine distribution amounts within 30 days after the annual census data release.
  • Court-ordered services when funds are insufficient:
    • If there are insufficient court-ordered services moneys to pay for a service, a district or juvenile court cannot order the county to pay for that service if it is a charge upon the state under section 232.141.
    • The chief juvenile court officer must encourage the use of funds to ensure sufficient moneys cover all court-ordered services for the entire fiscal year.
    • The chief juvenile court officer should anticipate surpluses and shortfalls in distribution amounts and may request the state court administrator to transfer funds between districts as prudent.
  • Limit on county responsibility:
    • No district or juvenile court shall order a county to pay for any service provided to a juvenile under an order entered under chapter 232 that is a charge upon the state under section 232.141, subsection 4.
  • Administrative cap:
    • Of the funds appropriated in this paragraph, no more than $83,000 may be used by the judicial branch for administration of the requirements under this paragraph.
  • Interstate Juvenile Commission funding:
    • A portion of the funds is allocated to cover the actual cost of the annual membership fee for the Interstate Commission for Juveniles, supporting participation in the Interstate Compact for Juveniles as provided in a referenced section.

3) Who or what would be affected

  • Judicial districts and district/judicial courts:
    • Allocation of funds across districts as determined by the state court administrator.
    • Decisions about paying for court-ordered services that are charges upon the state.
  • Chief juvenile court officer:
    • Responsible for encouraging appropriate use of funds, anticipating surpluses/shortfalls, and coordinating transfers with the state court administrator.
  • State court administrator:
    • Responsible for determining distribution amounts within 30 days of census data release and overseeing inter-district transfers as needed.
  • Counties:
    • Protection from being required to pay for state-ordered juvenile services that are charges upon the state.
  • Interstate Commission for Juveniles:
    • Funding allocated to cover the annual membership fee.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Timing for distribution:
    • Distribution amounts must be determined within 30 days after the annual census data is released.
  • Administrative limits:
    • A hard cap of $83,000 on administrative use of the appropriated funds for these requirements.
  • Operational flow:
    • The chief juvenile court officer may request fund transfers between districts to address surpluses/shortfalls, subject to cooperative action with the state court administrator.
  • Legal precedence:
    • Several provisions begin with “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary,” signaling clarifications or overrides to existing statutes regarding funding distributions and charges upon the state.

Note: This summary reflects the text excerpt provided and focuses on substantive provisions related to funding allocation, use, and cost-sharing within the Iowa judicial system.

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

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