IA
Iowa House Bill HF483

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF483

Introduced
2/19/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the design of certain public buildings, including by providing for the appointment of a state architect.

Impact

The legislation will significantly influence how public buildings are designed and built within Iowa, aiming to align new projects with the state's vision for civic architecture. The bill emphasizes uplifting and beautifying public spaces while supporting designs that embody the dignity of Iowa's governmental system. All applicable public buildings, as defined by the bill, will fall under this scrutiny, including schools, community colleges, and state-supported structures, leading to a more coordinated approach towards architectural style and public perception.

Summary

House File 483 (HF483) proposes changes to the design and construction oversight of certain public buildings in Iowa. It formally establishes the role of a state architect who shall be appointed by the governor and requires Senate confirmation. The bill mandates that any construction of designated public buildings cannot proceed without a certificate of need issued by the state architect. This certificate ensures compliance with specified architectural standards that focus on enhancing the aesthetic and civic value of these structures.

Contention

The bill faces various points of contention regarding the architectural flexibility and the broader implications of appointed oversight. Critics argue that the legislation might restrict innovative architectural designs by enforcing a preference for traditional styles, such as classical architecture, and could lead to unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. Supporters, however, assert that the overarching goal is to enhance the visual identity of public structures and ensure that they resonate with community values. The establishment of a council to advise the state architect introduces another layer of governance that some view as either a necessary group for oversight or as an additional complication.

Overall_events

HF483 establishes a formal process that requires input from the community and users regarding new public buildings. The inclusion of a council that advises the state architect aims to foster collaboration among legislators and public members, facilitating a comprehensive dialogue on architectural policy. The bill's timeline extends operations up to a required report submission to the governor by September 30, 2027, outlining recommended improvements and updates to existing policies.

Latest IA HF483 Activity

View All Events: IA 2025-2026 Regular Session HF483

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SF480

A bill for an act relating to the publication of certain public notices by designated public entities, providing for fees, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 1190; See SF 546.)

IA SSB1190

A bill for an act relating to the publication of certain public notices by designated public entities, providing for fees, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 480, SF 546.)

IA HF490

A bill for an act relating to building design element regulation by governmental subdivisions, and including effective date provisions.

IA SF546

A bill for an act relating to the publication of certain public notices by designated public entities, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SF 480, SSB 1190.)

IA HF2574

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including transition provisions.(Formerly HSB 710.)

IA HSB710

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including transition provisions.(See HF 2574.)

IA HF2549

A bill for an act relating to the conduct of elections, including the use of artificial intelligence and deceptive statements, and providing penalties. (Formerly HSB 599.)

IA SF174

A bill for an act relating to building design element regulation by governmental subdivisions, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SF 43; See SF 2154.)

IA HSB599

A bill for an act relating to the conduct of elections, including the use of artificial intelligence and deceptive statements, and providing penalties.(See HF 2549.)

IA SSB3172

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions.(See SF 2385.)

Similar Bills

OR SB224

Relating to the regulation of the practice of architecture in this state; and prescribing an effective date.

OK HB1793

Professions and occupations; modifying various provisions of the State Architectural and Registered Commercial Interior Designers Act; effective date; emergency.

OK HB1147

Professions and occupations; modifying the State Architectural and Registered Interior Designers Act; re-creating Board of Governors of the Licensed Architects, Landscape Architects and Registered Commercial Interior Designers; emergency.

AK SB73

Register Interior Designers

PA HB2645

Further providing for title of act, for short title, for declaration of purpose, for definitions, for creation of board and appointment and term of members and officers, for organization of board, for powers of board, for duties of board, for examination and qualification of applicants, for reciprocal licensing, for issuance and renewal of certificates, for payment and disposition of fees and for seal of architect; providing for architectural firm registration and for architectural firm names; further providing for permitted practices, for existing licenses, for existing rules and regulations and for unauthorized practice prohibited; providing for certification of interior designers; further providing for disciplinary proceedings, for penalties and for complaint procedure and hearings; providing for regulations; further providing for severability, for repeals and for effective date; and making editorial changes.

PA SB1319

Further providing for title of act, for short title, for declaration of purpose, for definitions, for creation of board and appointment and term of members and officers, for organization of board, for powers of board, for duties of board, for examination and qualification of applicants, for reciprocal licensing, for issuance and renewal of certificates, for payment and disposition of fees and for seal of architect; providing for architectural firm registration and for architectural firm names; further providing for permitted practices, for existing licenses, for existing rules and regulations and for unauthorized practice prohibited; providing for certification of interior designers; further providing for disciplinary proceedings, for penalties and for complaint procedure and hearings; providing for regulations; further providing for severability, for repeals and for effective date; and making editorial changes.

OR HB2141

Relating to registration for commercial interior designers; prescribing an effective date.

OK HB1793

Professions and occupations; modifying various provisions of the State Architectural and Registered Commercial Interior Designers Act; effective date; emergency.