Bill
HSB 775
Iowa’s FY 2026-2027 HSB 775 expands funding across the justice system, increasing support for victims, indigent defense, drug courts, inmate education, and public safety programs.
Purpose
- A broad appropriations bill relating to the justice system in Iowa. It sets FY 2026-2027 funding levels for multiple justice-related departments and programs and includes related provisions on reporting, labor, and program administration.
Key Provisions and Changes
Division I – FY 2026-2027 Appropriations
- Department of Justice (Attorney General) General Office
- Appropriates up to $10,919,246 for salaries, support, maintenance, and related activities, including:
- Prosecuting attorneys training program
- Matching funds for federal Violence Against Women grants
- Victim assistance grants
- Office of Drug Control Policy prosecuting attorney program
- Odometer fraud enforcement
- Authority to exceed the line-item amount temporarily with receivables covering negative cash balances; must not exceed the appropriation by year-end.
- Requires the DOJ to maintain a record of estimated time representing each agency/department.
Victim Assistance Grants
Legal Services for Persons in Poverty Grants
DOJ Cybersecurity and Technology Infrastructure
2) Reporting on Funding from Non-General-Fund Sources
- Requires DOJ to include in FY 2027 budget estimates a report of funding from non-general-fund sources (e.g., reimbursements from other state agencies or internal accounts).
- Also requires reporting actual reimbursements for FY 2025 and actual/expected for FY 2026.
- Report due to General Assembly by January 15, 2027.
3) DOJ Support for Human Trafficking Training (Iowa Law Enforcement Academy)
- Reimburses the Academy to hire one additional instructor for human trafficking training, funded from either the Victim Compensation Fund, Human Trafficking Victim Fund, or the Human Trafficking Enforcement Fund.
4) Antitrust/Consumer Litigation Funds Reallocation
- For FY 2026-2027, funds not allocated from certain antitrust and consumer education/litigation funds are appropriated to DOJ for salaries and related purposes to perform duties described in section 13.2.
Sec. 2–Office of Consumer Advocate (DOJ)
- FY 2026-2027 appropriation from the Commerce Revolving Fund:
- Salaries, support, and maintenance: up to $3,784,047
- 18.00 FTE
- Requires the office to ensure charges/revenues cover the appropriation and indirect costs determined by DAS.
Sec. 3–Department of Corrections (Facilities)
- Facility operation funding for multiple state prisons (Fort Madison, Anamosa, Oakdale, Newton, Mount Pleasant, Rockwell City, Clarinda, Mitchellville, Fort Dodge) with specified dollar amounts.
- Additional funding for:
- Reimbursement for county confinement, out-of-state placements, and miscellaneous contracts
- Imam and Native American spiritual leader services
- Oakdale pharmaceuticals (facility-wide)
Sec. 4–Department of Corrections (Administration)
- General administration: $9,650,695
- Education programs for inmates: $3,108,109
- Prioritize educational/vocational training to aid successful reentry
- Director may transfer funds from Iowa Prison Industries/Canteen
- Unencumbered funds carry over to next year
- ICON data system development/operation: $2,000,000
- Offender mental health and substance abuse treatment: $28,065
- Department-wide duties: $5,500,000
- Lease and privacy safeguards: Adds restrictions on private inmate labor for political purposes and requires safeguards on personal data when using private sector inmate labor
Sec. 5–Department of Corrections (Judicial District Departments)
- Allocations to the eight judicial districts with a focus on drug courts and related services
- 1st: $17,395,981; intent to maintain drug courts
- 2nd: $14,105,725; intent to maintain two drug courts
- 3rd: $8,915,376
- 4th: $6,563,898
- 5th: $25,194,813; electronic monitoring statewide; intent to maintain drug court
- 6th: $17,554,811; intent to maintain drug court
- 7th: $11,003,457; intent to maintain drug court
- 8th: $10,259,926
- Encourages intensive supervision, sex offender treatment, diversion to less restrictive sanctions, job development, and expanded intermediate sanctions.
- Requires districts to provide alternatives to prison consistent with Chapter 901B; may establish a day program.
- Federal grants for district drug courts to be treated as local government grants.
- Continues contract for statewide electronic monitoring equipment rental.
- Public Safety Assessment not to be used for pretrial detention decisions unless authorized by the legislature.
Sec. 6–Department of Corrections (Reallocation of Appropriations)
- Allows internal reallocations within Corrections’ divisions to meet needs, with notice to LSA and Department of Management.
- Prohibits reallocations that eliminate a program.
Sec. 7–Corrections Intent (Inmate Labor)
- Allows inmate labor for rural cemetery restoration, historical landmark preservation, road/utility cleanup in cooperation with counties.
Sec. 8–State Agency Purchases from Prison Industries
- Encourages state agencies to purchase products from Iowa state industries.
- Requires bids for office furniture purchases over $5,000 or per agency rules.
Sec. 9–Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILA)
- FY 2026-2027 appropriation: $2,919,407 (31.00 FTE)
- ILA may temporarily exceed appropriation with receivables
- Allows selection/exchange of up to five vehicles with training use; receipts to Dep’t of Public Safety depreciation fund
- Training on domestic abuse and human trafficking must be provided statewide at no cost and not replace existing training
Sec. 10–State Public Defender
- FY 2026-2027 appropriation:
- Salaries/maintenance: $38,627,894 (276.00 FTE)
- Indigent defense fund payments: $42,351,374
- End-of-year Tit. IV-E funds remaining unencumbered roll into the Tit. IV-E juvenile justice improvement fund for use in subsequent years
Sec. 11–Board of Parole
- FY 2026-2027 appropriation: $1,545,114 (10.60 FTE)
Sec. 12–Department of Public Defense, Public Safety, Homeland Security
- Various department-wide and program-specific appropriations, including:
- Public Safety administration, divisions (criminal investigation, narcotics enforcement, state fire marshal, state patrol)
- Training, equipment, and conflicts resolution
- Special considerations for national contributions to retirement systems
- Fire/EMS-related funding
- Public safety interoperable communications and D.A.R.E. programs
- Human trafficking offices and general operations
Sec. 15–Gaming Enforcement (Public Safety)
- Excursion gambling enforcement funding: $13,084,081 (68.00 FTE)
- Additional licenses: up to $300,000 for FTEs
- Up to three special agents per additional riverboat/structure, and three for new racing facilities
Sec. 16–911/Public Safety Communications
- 911 fund: $300,000 for implementation, support, maintenance, and auditor costs
Sec. 17–Consumer Education, Farm Mediation, Prosecutions, Appeals
- Farm mediation services: $300,000
- Salaries for criminal prosecutions/appeals: $2,000,000
Division II – Indigent Defense and Representation
- Section 18-19: Hourly compensation for appointed counsel increases
- 2025-2026 appointments: $88 per hour for A-class felonies? (The text shows 88, 83, etc.)
2026-2027: New rates
- Class A felony: $93 per hour
- Class B felony: $88 per hour
- All others: $83 per hour
Effective Budget and Timing
- FY 2026-2027 fiscal year: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
- The bill includes reporting timelines (January 15, 2027) for reimbursements
- Some funds are allowed to carry over or be used with federal funds, subject to conditions
Impact and Who is Affected
- State agencies and departments within the justice system: DOJ, Corrections, Public Defender, Public Safety, Homeland Security, ILA, Board of Parole, and related funds (e.g., Victim Compensation, Gaming Enforcement, 911 Fund)
- Local districts and drug courts receive targeted funding and program requirements
- Inmates and inmate labor policies with anti-politicization and privacy safeguards
- Indigent defendants and appointed counsel: hourly rates increase starting July 1, 2026
- Victims of crime and human trafficking: enhanced grants and services
- Iowans relying on public safety services, drug treatment, and corrections programs
Procedural Notes
- The bill permits certain reallocations, requires reporting on non-general-funded sources, and emphasizes oversight with duties to notify LSA and DAS prior to reallocations.
- Several sections include sunset-like carryover provisions for unencumbered funds.
Overall, HSB 775 constitutes a comprehensive FY 2026-2027 funding package for Iowa’s justice system, expanding victim and defense resources, supporting corrections and rehabilitation programs (including specialized drug courts and inmate education), enhancing public safety training (notably for trafficking cases), and providing governance mechanisms for revenue sources and fund transfers.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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