IA HF15

Creates a rural attorney recruitment assistance program administered by the Department of Education to help counties and municipalities with populations under 26,000 that are located more than 20 miles from a city of 50,000+ recruit attorneys

Participating attorneys receive incentive payments over five years, with each annual installment equal to 90% of the University of Iowa College of Law resident tuition and fees as determined on July 1, 2025, in addition to their regular salary and benefits

Rural counties or municipalities must pay 35% of the total incentive amount in five equal annual installments, with the state paying the remaining 65% from appropriated funds

Attorneys must agree to practice law full-time in the eligible area for at least five years, become a contract attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender, and participate in volunteer lawyer projects serving low-income Iowans

Establishes a rural attorney recruitment assistance program fund in the state treasury and limits participation to five attorneys in the first year (limitation repealed July 1, 2026)