Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
SF 135 – Interior Designers (LSB1358SV.1)
Staff Contact: Xavier Leonard (515.725.0509) xavier.leonard@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – Final Action
Description
Senate File 135 relates to the practice of interior design in the State and makes the following
changes: defines terms, makes conforming Iowa Code changes, provides exemptions for
interior design regulations, requires registered interior designers to stamp and seal interior
technical submissions they issue, provides penalties for misuse of the seal, and creates
requirements for registered interior design. The Bill restricts registered interior designers from
engaging in duties or actions that would result in a conflict of interest.
A simple misdemeanor penalty is created under Iowa Code chapter 544C for using a registered
interior designer’s seal without permission or fraudulently, or for impersonating a registered
interior designer or attempting to obtain a registration by fraud.
Background
Currently, the Interior Design Examining Board and provisions regulating interior designers are
established in Iowa Code chapter 544C.
A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for up to 30 days and a fine of at least
$105 but not more than $855.
Assumptions
• The following will not change over the projection period: charge, conviction, and sentencing
patterns and trends; prisoner length of stay (LOS); revocation rates; plea bargaining; and
other criminal justice system policies and practices.
• A lag effect of six months is assumed from the effective date of this Bill to the date of first
entry of affected offenders into the correctional system.
• Marginal costs for county jails cannot be estimated due to a lack of data. For purposes of
this analysis, the marginal cost for county jails is assumed to be $50 per day.
Correctional Impact
Senate File 135 creates a new criminal offense. As a result, the correctional impact cannot be
estimated for the Bill due to a lack of existing conviction data. A conviction for a simple
misdemeanor does not result in a prison sentence, but does carry the possibility of confinement
for up to 30 days. Marginal county jail costs are estimated to be $50 per day. Refer to the
Legislative Services Agency (LSA) memo addressed to the General Assembly, Cost Estimates
Used for Correctional Impact Statements, dated January 20, 2023, for information related to
the correctional system.
Minority Impact
Senate File 135 establishes a new offense. As a result, the Division of Criminal and Juvenile
Justice Planning (CJJP) of the Department of Human Rights cannot use existing data to
estimate the minority impact of the Bill. Refer to the LSA memo addressed to the General
Assembly, Minority Impact Statement, dated January 20, 2023, for information related to
minorities in the criminal justice system.
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Fiscal Impact
Senate File 135 establishes a new criminal offense. The fiscal impact of this change cannot be
estimated due to a lack of existing conviction data. The average State cost per offense for a
simple misdemeanor ranges from $35 to $375.
Sources
Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning, Department of Human Rights
Legislative Services Agency
/s/ Jennifer Acton
May 12, 2023
Doc ID 1373754
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in developing this
fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov
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Statutes affected:
Introduced: 544C.1, 544C.2, 544C.5, 544C.13
Enrolled: 544C.1, 544C.2, 544C.5, 544C.13