IA
Iowa House Bill HSB250

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB250

Introduced
4/28/23  
Introduced
4/28/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority.(See HF 728.)

Impact

One of the significant reforms proposed in HSB250 is the introduction of a new formula for the apportionment of district associate judges, shifting from a purely population-based system to a more workload-oriented model. This is expected to align judicial resources more closely with case demands, potentially addressing inefficiencies in how judges are assigned across different judicial election districts. However, the bill also stipulates that districts exceeding the newly prescribed number of judges would not fill vacancies, which could lead to longer case times in populous areas.

Summary

House Study Bill 250 (HSB250) addresses various aspects pertaining to the judicial branch of Iowa, including the allocation of funding for judicial operations, the apportionment and management of district associate judges, and the treatment of audio and video recordings in court. Particularly, it appropriates $194,469,897 from the general fund for fiscal year 2023-2024 towards judicial salaries, maintenance, and other operational costs. This funding supports not only the personnel in various judicial capacities but also critical services like juvenile programs and child support disbursement.

Contention

There may be points of contention regarding the provision that allows judicial officers to be placed on unpaid leave during furloughs for court employees. Critics might argue that this risks undermining the financial stability of the judiciary, particularly in times of budget constraints. Furthermore, the bill's stipulation regarding the control and ownership of audio and video recordings generates debate over privacy and access rights, particularly concerning who can review these recordings and under what circumstances they can be used within judicial processes.

Latest HSB250 Activity

Companion Bills

IA SSB1215

Related A bill for an act relating to appropriations to the judicial branch.(See SF 563.)

IA SF563

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority. (Formerly SSB 1215.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF728

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority.(Formerly HSB 250.)

Similar Bills

IA HF728

A bill for an act relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority.(Formerly HSB 250.)

IA SF563

A bill for an act relating to the judicial branch, including appropriations to the judicial branch, apportionment of district associate judges, video recordings, noncontract attorney appointment, and contracting authority. (Formerly SSB 1215.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

OK HB4118

Courts; court reporter salaries; secretary-bailiff salaries; effective date; emergency.

OK HB1396

Court reporters; salaries; modifying definition; authorizing payment of annual equipment allowance to certain official court reporters; effective date; emergency.

OK HB1396

Court reporters; salaries; modifying definition; authorizing payment of annual equipment allowance to certain official court reporters; effective date; emergency.

IA SSB1120

A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of certain department of revenue taxpayer information for jury list compilation, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(See SF 472, SF 2345.)

IA HSB141

A bill for an act concerning judicial branch administration, including mental health advocates, access to and confidentiality of certain department of revenue taxpayer information for jury list compilation, contracting authority, apportionment of district associate judges, remote testimony and video recordings, and access to criminal history records.(See HF 468, HF 2247.)

CA AB1469

Court reporters: registration: nonshorthand reporting corporation entities.