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STATE OF IOWA
KIM REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
June 2, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol Building
LOCAL
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I hereby transmit House File 2667, an Act relating to project design standards and specifications,
including by providing for a statewide urban design and specifications board and requiring certain
reports to city councils regarding noncompliant projects.
While consistency in infrastructure design and coordination between state and local partners are
worthwhile objectives, I disapprove of HF2667 because the legislation creates broad new statewide
authority without sufficient clarity, accountability, or technical safeguards. Current law allows
local jurisdictions to voluntarily utilize SUDAS manuals for public improvements where
appropriate. This bill moves far beyond that framework by effectively imposing statewide
standards and specifications without clearly defining the scope of “urban design” or identifying
which jurisdictions and projects would be subject to the new requirements. Such ambiguity creates
substantial uncertainty for local governments, developers, and taxpayers alike.
Further, the legislation significantly restructures the composition of the SUDAS board by shifting
authority away from professional engineers and public-sector technical experts toward private
development interests. Decisions involving statewide engineering specifications and infrastructure
standards should remain grounded in technical expertise, public safety, long-term durability, and
sound engineering principles. I am also concerned that the bill exempts SUDAS from the normal
review and dissolution process for state entities set forth in Iowa Code §4A.5 and thereby reduces
legislative oversight and accountability over time.
The bill additionally imposes rigid project requirements that unnecessarily constrain local
decision-making and create significant practical concerns. Before approving a project that does
not conform to the SUDAS manuals, local officials would be required to submit reports justifying
the cost of noncompliance, creating additional administrative burdens and discouraging flexibility
for co mmuniti es facing unique local conditions. At the same time, the legislation prohibits
modifications to approved projects after work has begun, yet fails to clearly define when a project
is considered to have commenced. That lack of clarity invites confusion, disputes, and inconsistent
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 FAX 515.725.3527 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV'
enforcement. More importantly, the prohibition on project modifications fails to account for
unforeseen circumstances such as soil conditions, environmental concerns, utility conflicts, or
other issues commonly discovered during construction. It would also appear to prevent a change
order that could reduce costs. Preventing local governments from adapting projects in response to
real-world conditions is impractical, risks increased costs and delays, and could ultimately
undermine the quality and safety of public infrastructure improvements.
For the above reasons, I respectfully disapprove House File 2667 as specified above, in accordance
with Article III, Section 16, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa.
Sincerely,
Kim^Reynolds
Governor
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
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House File 2667
AN ACT
RELATING TO PROJECT DESIGN STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS,
INCLUDING BY PROVIDING FOR A STATEWIDE URBAN DESIGN AND
SPECIFICATIONS BOARD AND REQUIRING CERTAIN REPORTS TO CITY
COUNCILS REGARDING NONCOMPLIANT PROJECTS.
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. The department shall coordinate with the institute
for transportation at the Iowa state university of science
and technology to oversee a statewide urban design and
specifications board that is responsible for developing the
statewide urban design standards and specifications. The board
shall publish a design manual and a specifications manual on
an internet site of 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 .
House File 2667, p. 2
b. Two members appointed by the American council of
engineering companies.
c. One member appointed by the Iowa state association of
counties .
d. One member appointed by the Iowa league of cities.
e. One member appointed by the home builders association of
Iowa .
f. One member appointed by the associated general
contractors of Iowa.
g. One member appointed by the master builders of Iowa.
h. One member appointed by the asphalt association of Iowa.
i. One member appointed by the Iowa real estate developers
association .
j. One member appointed by the Iowa concrete paving
association .
k. One member appointed by the associated builders and
contractors of Iowa.
1. One member appointed by the Iowa state building and
construction trades council.
3. Each member of the board appointed by the director,
the American council of engineering companies, the Iowa state
association of counties, or the Iowa league of cities must be a
professional engineer licensed under chapter 542B.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. The statewide urban design and specifications board
shall publish on the Iowa state university of science and
technology'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.
7. The board is not subject to section 4A.5.
House File 2667, p. 3
Sec. 3. Section 364.3, Code 2026, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION . 24. a. Prior to a city council approving
a city street project that does not match the department of
transportation's design standards and specifications, the
person responsible for managing the project shall submit
a report to the city council describing the costs for the
project that will be incurred as a result of the project not
matching the department of transportation's design standards
and specifications.
b. A city shall not modify the approved project design
standards and specifications after a project has begun.
PAT GRASSLEY.
Speaker of e House President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 2667, Ninety-first General Assembly.
NELSON
lerk of the House
KIM REYNOLDS
Governor