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IA SF2394

IA SF2394
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.(Formerly SSB 3173.)


summary

Introduced
02/19/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

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.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a Statewide Urban Design and Specifications Board (SUDAS board) within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop statewide urban design standards and specifications, which may incorporate recommendations from Iowa State University's Institute for Transportation, currently responsible for maintaining these manuals. The board will consist of 15 members from the DOT and various non-governmental entities, serving four-year terms, and will publish its design and specifications manuals online, along with analyses of any changes and estimated cost impacts. Crucially, if a county or city approves a project plan that deviates from these SUDAS manuals, they will be responsible for any additional costs incurred due to that noncompliance, and property owners will not be charged for costs arising from such local government deviations.

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Transportation (Senate)

Last Action

Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 341. (on 02/19/2026)

bill text


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