IA
Iowa House Bill HF662

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF662

Introduced
3/9/23  
Refer
3/14/23  
Introduced
3/9/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 126.)

Impact

The proposed changes under HF662 are poised to significantly impact how state services are delivered and managed. By consolidating various agencies under the HHS umbrella, the bill intends to enhance operational efficiency and improve coordination in service delivery. This could lead to better resource allocation and reduced administrative overhead. However, the bill has sparked debate among some legislators concerning potential risks of diminished oversight and accountability, particularly in transitioning responsibilities from several specialized agencies into broader departments.

Summary

House File 662, also known as HF662, proposes a comprehensive reorganization of the structure and functions of state government in Iowa. It aims to centralize various departments and streamline operations by integrating several functions and responsibilities into existing state agencies. The bill specifically seeks to adjust the organization of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by merging it with other agencies and redefining the roles of several state officers. Of particular note is the establishment of a new position—the chief deputy attorney general—along with reforms to the process of handling legal services for state entities.

Contention

Key points of contention regarding HF662 revolve around concerns from stakeholders about the implications of merging departments and the potential loss of specialized focus in critical areas such as health and human services, public safety, and education. Critics argue that the reorganization may dilute the effectiveness of targeted programs and weaken local governance structures, potentially impacting service delivery for vulnerable populations. There is also apprehension regarding the power dynamics introduced by allowing the Governor more control over appointing key administrative positions, which could influence the neutrality and independence of certain functions.

Latest HF662 Activity

Companion Bills

IA HSB126

Related A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(See HF 662.)

Similar Bills

IA SF514

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1123.) Contingent effective date. Applicability date: Enactment, 07/01/2023.

IA SSB1123

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for confirmation of appointments, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(See SF 514.)

IA HSB126

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state government, providing for salaries of appointed state officers, providing for penalties, making appropriations, providing Code editor directives and transition provisions, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(See HF 662.)

IA SF2385

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions. (Formerly SSB 3172.) Effective date: 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

IA HF2686

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state and local governments, providing for salaries of certain state officers, making statutory corrections, resolving inconsistencies, removing ambiguities, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 2550, HSB 664.) Effective date: 06/21/2024, 07/01/2024.

IA HF2462

A bill for an act relating to statutory corrections which may adjust language to reflect current practices, insert earlier omissions, delete redundancies and inaccuracies, resolve inconsistencies and conflicts, remove ambiguities, and provide for Code editor directives. (Formerly HSB 645.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA HSB664

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state and local governments, providing for salaries of certain state officers, making statutory corrections, resolving inconsistencies, removing ambiguities, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2550, HF 2686.)

IA SSB3144

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state and local governments, providing for salaries of certain state officers, making statutory corrections, resolving inconsistencies, removing ambiguities, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2377, SF 2416.)