The Iowa Supreme Court issued three opinions from April 24-30. As of April 30, the court issued 47 opinions in 2023 — three fewer than this point a year ago. The three opinions are below:
- Environmental Law & Policy Center v. Iowa Utilities Bd., where the court “reversed the judgment of the district court denying Appellant’s petition for judicial review of an order of the Iowa Utilities Board…holding that the Board erred in failing to consider certain intervenors’ evidence in determining whether the ‘Emissions Plan and Budget’ (EPB) met the statutory requirements.”
- In re Medical Assistance Pooled Special Needs Trust Of Scott Hewitt, where the court “affirmed the judgment of the district court” and dismissed the “action brought by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) claiming it was entitled to a detailed accounting, holding that the trustee provided an adequate accounting.”
- In re Medical Assistance Pooled Special Needs Trust of Steven Muller, where the court “reversed the judgment of the district court…holding that the Center provided an adequate accounting, and therefore, the district court lacked authority to grant the relief it provided to remedy the Center’s alleged failure to account for the retained funds.”
From April 24-30, state supreme courts issued 172 opinions nationally. The West Virginia Supreme Court issued the most with 36. State supreme courts in 14 states issued the fewest with zero. Courts where judges are elected have issued 109 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 63.
The Iowa Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has seven judgeships. The current chief of the court is Susan Christensen. The court issued 110 opinions in 2022 and 112 in 2021. Nationally, state supreme courts issued 7,423 opinions in 2022 and 8,320 in 2021. The courts have issued 2,201 opinions in 2023. Courts where judges are elected have issued 1,224 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 977. Iowa is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
Additional reading:
Learn More
