SF 596 (LSB 1177SV (3) 91)

SENATE FILE 596

BY  COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 26)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the funding of local emergency management commissions and agencies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 29C.17, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  For purposes consistent with this chapter, the local emergency management agency’s approved budget shall be fully funded by one or any combination of the following options, as determined by the commission:
   a.  A countywide special levy pursuant to section 331.424, subsection 1.
   b.  Per a per capita allocation funded from the city and county general funds or by a combination of city and county special levies which may be apportioned among the member jurisdictions fund and from the rural county services levy.
   c.  An allocation computed as each jurisdiction’s relative share of the total assessed valuation within the county.
   d.  A voluntary share allocation.
   e.  Other funding sources allowed by law.
    Sec. 2.  Section 29C.17, subsection 6, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   6.  Subject to chapter 24, the commission shall adopt, certify, and provide a budget, on or before February 28 1 of each year, to the funding entities determined pursuant to subsection 2. The form of the budget shall be as prescribed by the department of management. Any portion of a tax levied by a county or city to support the local emergency management agency shall be identified separately on tax statements issued by the county treasurer.
    Sec. 3.  Section 331.423, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  d.  If the county funded an emergency management program under chapter 29C using funds from a county general services levy under this subsection for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, the amount levied under such levy for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, shall not exceed the amount levied for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
    Sec. 4.  Section 331.424, subsection 1, paragraph a, subparagraph (9), Code 2025, is amended by striking the subparagraph and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
   (9)  The maintenance and operation of a joint 911 service board.
    Sec. 5.  Section 331.424, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  d.  If the county funded an emergency management program under chapter 29C using funds from a county general services supplemental levy under this subsection for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, the amount levied under such levy for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, shall not exceed the amount levied for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
    Sec. 6.  Section 331.427, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2025, is amended by striking the paragraph.
    Sec. 7.  Section 331.428, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  e.  Local emergency management agency under chapter 29C.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under Code section 29C.17, a local emergency management agency’s approved budget is funded by one or any combination of several funding options, as determined by the local emergency management commission (commission).
   This bill restricts the funding options for the local emergency management agency budget to be fully funded by a per capita allocation from the city general fund and the rural services levy.
   The bill moves the date for the commission to adopt and certify the budget for the local emergency management agency from February 28 each year to February 1.
   The bill specifies that if the county funded the emergency management program using funds from the county general services levy or the county general services supplemental levy for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, the amount levied under such levies for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, shall not exceed the amount levied for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
   Currently, a county may certify a supplemental levy for the maintenance and operation of a local emergency management agency, among other purposes for the levy. The bill strikes the emergency management agency provision and provides the supplemental levy may be used for the maintenance and operation of a joint 911 service board.
   The bill strikes a provision that allows appropriations from a county’s general fund for general county services to be used to pay expenses for a local emergency management commission. 
   The bill specifies appropriations from the rural services fund for rural county services may include expenses for a local emergency management agency.