Iowa House Bill HF751

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/25
• Refer: 3/5/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the disposition of collected criminal case fines and establishing a victim restitution fund.

Impact

The creation of the victim restitution fund is designed to provide financial relief to victims of crimes, particularly to cover pecuniary damages, which include necessary expenses, loss of income, and other related costs not covered by insurance. The fund will be managed by the Department of Justice, aimed at streamlining the process through which victims receive compensation. Additionally, the bill ensures that any unspent funds at the end of a fiscal year will not revert, allowing for continued availability of resources dedicated to victim support.

Summary

House File 751 aims to amend the distribution of criminal case fines collected within a county and to establish a victim restitution fund in Iowa. The bill proposes that the distribution of fines will be modified, specifying that 85% of the collected fines will go to the state court administrator, 8% to the county treasurer for the county general fund, and 7% to a newly established victim restitution fund. This restructuring intends to enhance support for victims of crimes by ensuring part of the fines collected contributes directly to their restitution needs.

Contention

There may be points of contention regarding the percentage allocations of the fines and the operational definitions of what constitutes pecuniary damages. Stakeholders might debate whether the percentage distribution adequately reflects the needs of both the county and the victims. Furthermore, discussions could arise around the funding levels and oversight provided to ensure the proper and effective utilization of money in the victim restitution fund, particularly in addressing the varying needs of victims across the state.