Bill > HF1001

This bill establishes a rural attorney recruitment assistance program designed to help rural counties and municipalities attract and retain attorneys in underserved areas. The program, administered by the college student aid commission, allows counties or municipalities with populations under 26,000 and located more than 20 miles from a city of 50,000 or more to apply for assistance in recruiting attorneys. Selected attorneys who agree to practice full-time in these areas for at least five years will receive incentive payments totaling 90% of the University of Iowa Law School's annual resident tuition and fees, paid in five equal annual installments. The county or municipality must contribute 35% of the incentive payments, with the commission covering the remaining 65%. Participating attorneys must also become contract attorneys with the state public defender and participate in volunteer lawyer projects serving low-income and vulnerable Iowans. A dedicated fund will be established to support the program, which can accept public and private contributions. The program is initially limited to assisting five attorneys and is set to expire on July 1, 2026. Attorneys who have previously participated in similar scholarship or tuition reimbursement programs are ineligible to apply.

Budget and Finance

Appropriations (House)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF1001