IA
Iowa Senate Bill SSB1123

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1123

Introduced
2/2/23  
Introduced
2/2/23  

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 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.)

Impact

The bill’s reorganization is expected to have broad implications for healthcare delivery, state administration, and educational governance. By consolidating functions under HHS, the bill is designed to improve efficiency in service delivery and facilitate a more holistic approach to public health and human services. However, there are concerns that such changes may dilute local control and oversight of critical public health areas, potentially impacting service responsiveness to community needs. The financial aspects include provisions for property tax relief aimed at low-income individuals, dictating how funds are allocated and administered across related services.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1123 proposes significant restructuring of state government in Iowa, specifically focusing on the organization and functions of various departments, including Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Public Safety. A major aspect of the bill is the elimination of the State Board of Health, replacing it with a Council on Health and Human Services, which aims to streamline health governance. The bill also incorporates multiple divisions and functions into HHS, enhancing its scope and authority over child support, substance use disorder management, and elderly health services.

Contention

Notable points of contention arise around the reduced authority of local health boards and the potential impact on community-based health initiatives. Critics worry that the centralization of power could hinder localities’ ability to respond effectively to unique health issues in their areas. Additionally, the adjustments in administrative duties, particularly regarding the control of various commissions and boards, could lead to governance challenges and calls for transparency in the restructuring process throughout multiple departments. The provision regarding appointments and salary governance of state officials has also sparked debate over political influence in administrative roles.

Latest SSB1123 Activity

Companion Bills

IA SF514

Replaced by 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.

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 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 HF662

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.)

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 HF2673

A bill for an act related to state behavioral health, disability, and addictive disorder services and related programs, including the transition of behavioral health services from a mental health and disability services system to a behavioral health service system, the transfer of disability services to the division of aging and disability services of the department of health and human services, the elimination of the commission on aging, the elimination of special intellectual disability units at state mental health institutes, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 2509, HSB 653.) Effective date: 05/15/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

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.)