Bill
SF 223
Creates a one-time $2.5 million General Fund appropriation in FY2024-25 to be distributed by HHS to nonprofit refugee resettlement agencies based on their DOS sponsorships.
SF 223 — Summary
Overview
- Bill number and title: SF 223, Municipal dedication fees requirements modification
- Purpose (as introduced): A targeted appropriation to support refugee resettlement efforts in Iowa, distributed through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to nonprofit resettlement agencies that participate in the U.S. Department of State’s Reception and Placement program.
- Status: Introduced February 6, 2025; referred to State and Local Government; subsequently assigned to the Appropriations process with a February 11, 2025 subcommittee consideration. Immediate-enactment effective date.
What the bill would do
- Create a one-time appropriation of $2,500,000 from the state General Fund for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
- Purpose: Provide resettlement assistance to refugees in Iowa through nonprofit resettlement agencies that participate in the U.S. DOS reception and placement program under a cooperative agreement.
- Distribution mechanism: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would distribute the funds to nonprofit resettlement agencies proportionally based on the number of refugees each agency sponsors under its cooperative agreement with the U.S. DOS.
- Timing of distribution: HHS must distribute the appropriated funds no later than seven calendar days after the act’s effective date.
Key provisions and mechanics
- Section 1: Appropriation and distribution
- Amount: $2,500,000 (FY 2024-2025)
- Source: General Fund
- Recipients: Nonprofit resettlement agencies participating under the DOS Reception and Placement program
- Allocation basis: Proportional to the number of refugees each agency sponsors
- Section 2: Effective date
- The act takes effect upon enactment (immediate importance).
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: Refugees in Iowa who receive resettlement assistance through nonprofit resettlement agencies.
- Affected entities: Nonprofit resettlement agencies that sponsor refugees and participate in the DOS reception and placement program; state budgeting and HHS administrative staff implementing the distribution.
- Municipal/local government relevance: As a bill introduced under Government-Local subject matter, the measure interfaces with local agencies and service providers involved in refugee resettlement, though the funds flow via state-administered programs.
Fiscal and procedural notes
- Fiscal impact: $2.5 million appropriated from the General Fund for FY 2024-2025.
- Compliance/administration: HHS must distribute funds promptly and in proportion to agency sponsorships, following a cooperative federal-state framework with the DOS.
- Timeline: Immediate enactment gives HHS seven days after enactment to distribute funds.
Sponsors
- Primary sponsors include Staed, Knox, Weiner, Petersen, Blake, Winckler, Bennett, Townsend, Wahls, Bisignano, Dotzler, Trone Garriott, Quirmbach, and Donahue, among others.
Usage note
- The bill’s title references municipal dedication fees, but the introduced content focuses on a targeted refugee resettlement appropriation and streamlined distribution to nonprofit agencies.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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