The Iowa legislature is considering House Study Bill (HSB) 744 and Senate File (SF) 2394 which would affect the Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS). The proposed bills could significantly and negatively impact the way Iowa communities design, build, and maintain the public infrastructure that taxpayers rely on every day.
Public agencies and licensed engineering professionals developed SUDAS standards, which provide consistent, technically sound standards that reduce errors, ensure durable infrastructure, and protect taxpayers from costly long-term failures. The proposed legislative changes in these bills undermine that successful structure in several critical ways:
- Shifting decision making authority away from public agencies and licensed engineers.
- Increased long term risk and costs for taxpayers.
- Punitive restrictions on local control.
- Lack of clear engineering accountability.
- Reduced transparency and clarity.
Help protect SUDAS — send a message to your State Senator and Representative and urge them not to support HSB 744 and SF 2394!