Raecker Report 1/26: Visitors & the USS Iowa Battleship

Last session, the Iowa Legislature appropriated $3 million to the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) for preservation of the BB-61, the USS Iowa, if the ship was donated for restoration as a museum.

In September, the U.S. Navy awarded the ship to the Pacific Battleship Center (PBC), based in Los Angeles. The DCA and the Pacific Battleship Center are coordinating the extensive repairs necessary to restore the ship. 

The House and Senate worked together early this session to expedite the renovation process for the USS Iowa. Senate File 2018 has been passed unanimously by both the House and the Senate and has been sent to the Governor for his signature. 

The bill provides how the Pacific Battleship Center should spend the money it receives from the state, a timeline for delivering the money to the PBC, and reporting requirements for PBC on how they have spent the money, with reports going to the DCA and the State Auditor’s office

The bill states that the funds shall be expended for the limited purposes of hull and superstructure preparation and painting, ship repairs and improvements, transportation and towing of the ship, pier and dock preparation and improvements, and museum development.

The Pacific Battleship Center will be required to provide two reports, one with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the other to the Iowa State Auditor, itemizing how the money is expended. The first report will be filed when 50 percent of the grant has been expended; the second after 100 percent has been expended.

The USS Iowa is schedule to open in the Los Angles this summer – and every Iowan will have free access to the ship and museum with proof of residence.