This bill establishes a new prison construction account within the Iowa prison infrastructure fund, replacing the previous FY 2009 prison bonding fund. It amends existing laws to ensure that for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and subsequent years, if bonds related to the Iowa state penitentiary are paid off, an equivalent amount from the Iowa prison infrastructure fund will be allocated to the new account specifically for constructing new prisons or upgrading existing prison infrastructure. Notably, the funds in this new account will not revert to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year, allowing for continued availability for designated purposes.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Corrections to report annually on the status of all infrastructure projects, detailing aspects such as project descriptions, costs, and funding sources. It also calls for the establishment of an interim study committee to assess prison capacity and the potential need for additional prison facilities, with a report due to the general assembly and the governor by December 18, 2025. The bill repeals the previous prison bonding fund and integrates the reporting requirements into a new section of the law.

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