SF 2394 (LSB 6830SV (2) 91)

SENATE FILE 2394

BY  COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3173)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to a statewide urban design and specifications board, including assessment of costs for local government projects that do not comply with the board’s design or specifications manuals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 307.22, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  7.  Ensure planning and programming activities comply with the statewide urban design standards and specifications developed by the statewide urban design and specifications board pursuant to section 307.22A.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  307.22A  Statewide urban design and specifications board.
   1.  A statewide urban design and specifications board is established within the department. The board shall develop statewide urban design standards and specifications. The board shall publish on the department’s internet site a design manual and a specifications manual. The board may solicit recommendations from the institute for transportation at the Iowa state university of science and technology.
   2.  The statewide urban design and specifications board shall consist of the following members:
   a.  Three employees of the department appointed by the director.
   b.  Two members appointed by the Iowa state association of counties.
   c.  Two members appointed by the Iowa league of cities.
   d.  Two members appointed by the home builders association of Iowa.
   e.  One member appointed by the associated general contractors of Iowa.
   f.  One member appointed by the master builders of Iowa.
   g.  One member appointed by the asphalt association of Iowa.
   h.  One member appointed by the Iowa real estate developers association.
   i.  One member appointed by the Iowa concrete paving association.
   j.  One member appointed by the associated builders and contractors of Iowa.
   3.  The regular term of appointment is four years. A vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.
   4.  Members of the board shall serve without compensation from the state and are not eligible to receive reimbursement for expenses using state moneys. However, state employees serving on the board shall receive their regular compensation for board duties performed during the hours the person regularly performs work for the state.
   5.  The statewide urban design and specifications board shall publish on the department’s internet site an analysis of any changes made to the statewide urban design and specifications manuals and provide an estimate of expected cost variations that are likely be incurred, if any, by implementing the changes.
   6.  The board is not subject to section 4A.5.
    Sec. 3.  Section 331.301, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  30.  A county that approves a project plan that does not comply with statewide urban design standards and specifications, as published by the statewide urban design and specifications board pursuant to section 307.22A, is responsible for paying any additional costs for the project resulting from the noncompliance. A property owner shall not be assessed any costs relating to projects on or adjacent to the owner’s property that result from the county’s noncompliant plan.
    Sec. 4.  Section 364.3, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  24.  A city that approves a project plan that does not comply with the statewide urban design standards and specifications, as published by the statewide urban design and specifications board pursuant to section 307.22A, is responsible for paying any additional costs for the project resulting from the noncompliance. A property owner shall not be assessed any costs relating to projects on or adjacent to the owner’s property that result from the city’s noncompliant plan.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes the statewide urban design and specifications board (SUDAS board) within the department of transportation (DOT). The SUDAS board is required to develop statewide urban design standards and specifications (SUDAS), which may include soliciting recommendations from the institute for transportation at Iowa state university. Currently, the institute maintains Iowa’s SUDAS manuals for public improvements.
   The bill provides for 15 members from the DOT and various nongovernment entities to serve as members on the SUDAS board. The SUDAS board is required to publish on the DOT’s internet site a design manual and a specifications manual, along with an analysis of any changes to the SUDAS manuals, and provide an estimate of expected cost variations that are likely to be incurred, if any, by implementing the changes. A SUDAS board member’s regular term of appointment is four years, and a vacancy must be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.
   The bill provides that the SUDAS board does not dissolve under Code section 4A.5.
   The bill requires a county or city that approves a project plan that does not comply with the SUDAS manuals to pay any additional costs for projects resulting from the noncompliance. A property owner cannot be assessed any costs relating to projects on or adjacent to the owner’s property that result from the county’s or city’s noncompliant plan.