Iowa House Bill HSB143

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the disposition of real property belonging to the state by the director of the department of administrative services.(See HF 332.)

Impact

By granting the DAS director the power to dispose of real property belonging to the state on their own terms, pending the approval of the executive council or through other legally granted authority, the bill is expected to enhance operational efficiency. This legislative change aims to reduce bureaucratic delays associated with property sales, allowing the state to better manage its assets, and potentially leading to increased revenue from property disposition, as funds from sales will be credited to the state general fund.

Summary

House Study Bill 143 aims to modify the process by which real property belonging to the state is disposed of by the director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The bill outlines that the current requirement for authorization from a constitutional majority of both legislative houses and approval from the governor for the disposition of state real property will be limited to properties on the capitol complex. This shift will give the DAS greater autonomy to manage the disposal of other state properties without needing extensive legislative oversight, thus streamlining the process.

Contention

While the bill promises efficiency, it also raises concerns among some legislators who believe that such significant power should not be handed over without adequate checks and balances. Critics argue that this measure could lead to less transparency and accountability in how state property is managed. They fear that essential state assets might be sold without proper oversight, which could detrimentally impact community interests. The balance between effective asset management and safeguarding public resources will likely be a point of contention as discussions on this bill proceed.