Senate passes $268.7 million Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund budget for FY2027

Senator Kelker said Senate File 24 84 would appropriate $268,700,000 from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund for fiscal year 2027 and highlighted line-item investments across state agencies.

Kelker said year-over-year RIF resources are projected to fall by 13.3% and that the bill leaves a projected ending balance of $18,200,000. "This bill appropriates $268,700,000 from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund for fiscal year 2027," Kelker said during opening remarks.

The bill directs targeted capital and program spending, including $1,000,000 for regional sports authorities (removing an equal-distribution requirement), $7,000,000 for facility enhancements at Iowa Speedway in Newton, $1,000,000 for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Museum, and $10,000,000 to the strategic infrastructure program fund described in the transcript as supporting creation of a manufacturing facility at the Iowa State University Research Park. Kelker also identified $3,700,000 for a firearms range and training facility at Camp Dodge and $6,000,000 for renovation and construction at the University of Northern Iowa public policy center (an increase of $5,000,000 from FY26).

Transportation-related items listed by Kelker include $1,600,000 to assist with federal public transit grants, $5,000,000 for a five-year railroad underpass/overpass grant program beginning in FY27, and $2,500,000 (an increase of $600,000) for commercial-air structural infrastructure grants. On health and human services, Kelker said the bill includes $3,400,000 to implement eligibility requirements for SNAP and Medicaid under a federal law referenced in the transcript and $10,000,000 to design and implement a new eligibility-determination system for SNAP, FIP and RCA; Kelker said that requirement derives from the 2023 Iowa Acts.

After discussion, the Senate considered Senate amendment 5258 to SF 2484. Senator Peterson praised the work on the budget and urged support. Senator Kelker moved adoption of amendment 5258; the chair declared the amendment adopted following a voice vote. Kelker then moved final passage. The roll call produced 45 ayes and 0 nays; the chair declared Senate File 24 84 passed and the title agreed to. Senator Klemish subsequently asked unanimous consent to immediately message the bill to the House; hearing no objections, the request was granted.

What happens next: The bill was messaged to the House for its receipt and any further action.

Details drawn from the Senate transcript: the session record identifies the appropriation total, projected balance and specific line items as summarized above; some agency and project names in the transcript appear garbled or abbreviated and should be checked against the enrolled bill text for exact program names and recipient organizations.