This bill establishes a new prison construction account within the Iowa prison infrastructure fund, which will receive funds from the payment of infrastructure financing bonds related to the Iowa state penitentiary. Specifically, for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and each subsequent year, if the bonds are paid off, an amount equal to what was paid on those bonds in the previous fiscal year will be deposited into this new account. The funds in this account are designated solely for the construction of new prisons or the replacement of infrastructure at existing facilities, and they will not revert to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year, unlike other funds in the Iowa prison infrastructure fund.

Additionally, the bill repeals the existing FY 2009 prison bonding fund and moves the reporting requirements for infrastructure projects from the repealed section to a new section under the department of corrections. It also calls for the establishment of an interim study committee to assess prison capacity and the feasibility of additional prison housing options, with a report due to the general assembly and the governor by December 18, 2025. The committee will consider various factors, including geographic locations, existing infrastructure, security classifications, and staffing needs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12.80, 602.8108A, 12C.7