Iowa Code Title X. Financial Resources [Chs. 421-454] § 453E.6. Specialty courts and diversion programs fund

1. A specialty courts and diversion programs fund is created in the state treasury under the control of the office of drug control policy.  Moneys from permit fees, with the exception of permit fees collected by the department on behalf of cities or counties in the issuance of permits, and excise taxes imposed and collected pursuant to section 453E.5, shall be deposited in the fund.  Permit fees collected by the department on behalf of cities under this chapter shall be remitted by the department to the treasurer of the city where the permit is effective and credited to the general fund of the city.  Permit fees collected by the department on behalf of counties under this chapter shall be remitted by the department to the treasurer of the county where the permit is effective and credited to the general fund of the county.

2. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the office of drug control policy to be used for the purpose of the support of specialty courts and diversion programs to address underlying substance use disorder-related and mental health-related issues that contribute to the contact of individuals with the justice system.

3. The drug policy coordinator of the office of drug control policy shall develop criteria for approval of a request for specialty courts and diversion programs funding.  Annually, by May 1, the state court administrator shall submit a specialty courts and diversion programs funding request for the upcoming fiscal year to the drug policy coordinator of the office of drug control policy for approval, and the drug policy coordinator shall approve or reject any such request no later than June 1.  The state court administrator may submit a subsequent request within fifteen days of notification of the rejection of an initial request.  The state court administrator shall consult with the director of the department of corrections prior to submitting any funding request that involves the department of corrections.

4. The fund shall be separate from the general fund of the state and shall not be considered part of the general fund of the state.  The moneys in the fund shall not be considered revenue of the state, but rather shall be moneys of the fund.  The moneys in the fund are not subject to reversion to the general fund of the state under section 8.33 and shall not be transferred, used, obligated, appropriated, or otherwise encumbered, except to provide for the purposes of this section.  Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys deposited in the fund shall be credited to the fund.

5. The treasurer of state shall provide a quarterly report of fund activities and balances to the drug policy coordinator of the office of drug control policy.