Providing for a task force to address legal services for indigent parties

Progress

1. Introduced
   February 17, 2026
2. Subcommittee
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3. Committee
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4. Passed House
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5. Passed Senate
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6. Signed
   —

Died at end of session The General Assembly adjourned on May 3, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill directs the judicial branch to establish a task force to investigate the statewide delivery of legal services to indigent parties in criminal, juvenile, and child abuse and neglect proceedings and to develop recommendations to improve service delivery, address public defender conflicts of interest, ensure competent representation, identify sustainable funding, and increase the number of qualified attorneys available to serve indigent Iowans. The required members of the task force are specified in the bill. The bill provides that for the period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending November 15, 2030, the task force must convene at least once per year. The bill requires the judicial branch to submit a report to the governor and the general assembly by November each year through 2030.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text