Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB111

Introduced
1/30/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the duties of the director of the department of corrections, the board of corrections, superintendents, and district directors.(See HF 398.)

Impact

The bill is poised to alter the framework of oversight within the Iowa correctional system by reducing the involvement of the board in personnel appointments. Previously, the board had the authority to approve such appointments, which acted as a check on the director's power. Critics of the bill have expressed concerns that this can lead to less accountability and oversight in the management of correctional facilities. Proponents argue that the streamlined process will enhance efficiency and enable quicker responses to operational challenges faced by the Department of Corrections.

Summary

House Study Bill 111 focuses on the duties and appointment processes for key positions within the Iowa Department of Corrections, specifically the director, superintendents, and district directors. The bill seeks to streamline the appointment process by allowing the director to appoint superintendents and district directors without requiring the board's prior approval. This change marks a significant shift in the governance structure, granting more direct control to the director over operational decisions related to the correctional facilities.

Contention

Within the discussions surrounding HSB111, there were notable tensions about the balance of power between the director and the board of corrections. While supporters view the bill as a necessary modernization of the corrections management structure, detractors worry that diminishing the board's role could lead to mismanagement or overlook issues critical to inmates' welfare and facility safety. The debate reflects broader discussions about the governance of public institutions and how to best ensure accountability while maintaining operational efficiency.

Companion Bills

IA HF398

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to the duties of the director of the department of corrections, the board of corrections, superintendents, and district directors. (Formerly HSB 111.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Previously Filed As

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.)

IA HF437

A bill for an act requiring the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.(See HF 658.)

IA HF2189

A bill for an act authorizing the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.(See HF 2609.)

IA HSB159

A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 567.)

IA SSB3073

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative services, the director of the department of education, the division of special education within the department of education, the services provided by area education agencies, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, and minimum teacher salaries, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.(See SF 2386.)

IA HF2550

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 HSB 664; See HF 2686.)

IA HSB542

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative services, the director of the department of education, the division of special education within the department of education, the services provided by area education agencies, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, and minimum teacher salaries, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.

IA HF658

A bill for an act authorizing the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.(Formerly HF 437.)

IA HF2609

A bill for an act authorizing the boards of directors of school districts to appoint student liaisons to the boards.(Formerly HF 2189.)

Similar Bills

OR HB2622

Relating to persons in leadership positions of public education providers; declaring an emergency.

IA HF398

A bill for an act relating to the duties of the director of the department of corrections, the board of corrections, superintendents, and district directors. (Formerly HSB 111.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

AR HB1025

To Create The Teacher Fair Dismissal Act Of 2025.

CA AB1652

County boards of education: school district governing boards: members: charter school employees.

TX SB1224

Relating to the reporting of certain public or private school employee misconduct to local law enforcement.

TX HB2206

Relating to the reporting of certain public school employee misconduct to local law enforcement.

CA AB1825

Education finance: constitutional minimum funding obligation: local control funding formula.

CA SB859

Education finance: constitutional minimum funding obligation: local control funding formula.