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Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:
HF 967
A bill for an act relating to benefits and contributions for members of the Iowa public employees’ retirement system who are employed in a protection occupation.(Formerly HSB 265; See HF 1023.)
Subcommittee members: Nordman-CH, Baeth, Young
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Location: RM 103
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.
Comments Submitted:

04-09-2025
Melissa Spencer
Please pass this bill through subcommittee and through the House as soon as possible. Police officers are putting their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of Iowa. This job is extremely stressful not only for officers but also their families. As the wife of a police officer that has given 29 years of service, I have seen first hand the impact to an officers physical and mental health just trying to make it to retirement. The Legislature and Governor claims to "back the blue" so show it by passing this bill out of subcommittee with a recommendation to pass and get it on the House floor for debate. Thank You.
04-09-2025
David Niedert (Chief of Police) [Independence Police Department]
I would encourage the subcommittee to approve this bill. Law Enforcement in Iowa has had a difficult time over the past five years recruiting quality applicants. Once we find the right individual, the cost to certify and train that officer is expensive. Our officers are a part of the IPERS protection occupation group. Our officers may only retire at 55 years of age and at 72% of salary average. With the legislation passed in the previous year, the Sheriffs and Deputies can retire with 80% of the average, and have a cost of living increase. This difference has resulted in officers leaving small towns and cities, and moving to sheriff agencies. Please help us and pass this legislation to even the playing field and retain our highly trained and dedicated officers in small town Iowa.
04-09-2025
Joe Bonewitz [Altoona Fire Department]
Please pass this bill and move it to the house floor. Firefighters have a stressful job physically and mentally and having this bill added will help with their mental and physical health that has taken a toll on them for 2030 years. This will also help with retention and keeping firefighters in smaller cities and help deter them from switching to 411, which has a better retirement benefit than the current protected IPERS plan does.