HF2770: Justice System Budget

Appropriates $714.3 million for the public safety, public defense, emergency management, justice, and victim services programs and agencies for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, 2026. This is an increase of $11.2 million. Attorney General: Increases funding for victim services by $365,115 (total appropriation $5,541,708) - $75,000 of these new funds are used to boost services to human trafficking victims (total appropriation $225,000). Adds $165,000 to fund business specialty courts (if SF 638 is signed into law). Maintains $150,000 transfer from victim compensation fund to victim services. No change for Office of Consumer Advocate ($3.8 million). Prisons/Community Based Corrections: Increases funding for prisons by $3,214,000 and Department of Corrections' administration by $1,854,222.  Increases community based corrections by $706,778 and continues requirement for drug courts. Other: Increases funding for the Office of Drug Control Policy by $21,327 ($249,219 total). No change in funding for the office to combat human trafficking ($200,742). Reduces indigent defense funding for the public defender's office by $1,150,000. Increases court-appointed counsel rates by $5/case ($93/hour for class A felonies; $88;/hour for class B felonies; $83/hour for all other cases). Creates an Attorney Loan Repayment Program in the Iowa College Student Aid Commission to encourage lawyers to stay and practice in Iowa (must have gone to a law school in Iowa, be practicing in Iowa, have graduated law school within five years of applying for loan repayment, and agree to provide a base number of hours for indigent defense, with priority for those practicing in rural areas). Repayment of up to $10,000/year is available for up to 25 attorneys/year (not to exceed a total of 150 in the program at one time). Ends the program on July 1, 2041.  Increases civil filing fees, divorce filing fees, small claims appeals, motions to show cause, liens, real estate titles, and other similar court documents by $20. The revenues from the $20 fee increase for all but divorce filings goes to indigent defense (50%) and attorney loan repayment program (50%).  Beginning July 1, 2026, 20% of the entire divorce filing fee goes to sexual assault and domestic violence programs (victim services), which was supposed to be happening but all was going to the general fund. Beginning July 1, 2027 and each year after, the 20% of divorce filing fees shifts to the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) Center grant program (contingent upon passage of HF 2794). You can read more detail at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605165.pdf. Effective 7/1/2026.