WEEK #16 April 27 - May 3 

HF 2770 - JUSTICE SYSTEMS BUDGET It is no surprise that there is a status quo budget for the fire service training bureau of $1,075,520.00.

SF 2086 (SSB 3007) - Junior Firefighter Program (REGISTERED FOR)
DONE! WATCH FOR BILL SIGNING INFORMATION!
This bill authorizes school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to offer to students enrolled in grades 11 and 12 an elective junior firefighter program, either by establishing the program and using the curriculum of the fire service training bureau that provides a similar program or by partnering with a local fire department, that satisfies requirements established in the bill.

SF 2496 / HF 2777 Taxes for emergency services DONE
Done - Signed by the Governor 5/2
This bill excludes property taxes for emergency medical services imposed pursuant to Code chapter 422D from a division of revenue (tax increment financing) under Code section 403.19.
The bill applies to property taxes due and payable in fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.

HF 1023 IPERS Bill DONE-TO THE GOVERNOR This bill amends the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) to adjust benefits and contributions for members employed in protection occupations. It specifies that from July 1, 2011, until June 30, 2025, the contribution rates for employees and employers will be 40% and 60%, respectively. However, starting July 1, 2025, the employee contribution rate will increase to 50%, while the employer contribution rate will decrease to 50% for members in protection occupations. Additionally, the bill modifies the calculation of monthly retirement benefits for these members, increasing the applicable percentage for service beyond 22 years from 0.375% to 0.625%, allowing for a maximum of 20 additional percentage points.
Furthermore, the bill allows members of protection occupations to retire at 55 years of age with at least 22 years of service. TO READ THE FINAL, ENROLLED BILL CLICK HERE>>>https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF1023
SF 2472 (SSB 3001) - Property Tax Reform Not Registered
Ways and Means
This was a highly contentious bill and was passed back and forth between the chambers.
The Final bill was a compromise between the three original versions. It includes:
? Limits revenue growth with a 2% cap (beginning FY27-28)
? Hard cap on most general levies except specific exceptions such as Iowa Emergency Management Association with no new growth, and county hospitals.
? Local governments’ general fund reserves are limited to 35% of their budgeted expenditures each year, with new auditing requirements.
? Restricts and standardizes Tax Increment Financing (TIF) durations and usage ? Expanded homestead benefits / adjustments to taxable value
? Creates a new multi-residential property tax classification, phasing changes to increase taxable valuation over time
? Establishes a task force to study Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) for tax-exempt properties
Note on Property Tax Reform - While SF 2472 does not directly change statutes governing police or fire department operations, it has a significant indirect impact on public safety funding by altering local government revenue authority. The bill may affect police, fire, and EMS services through changes to the taxable base, limits on ongoing property tax revenue growth, and constraints on certain levies and long-term financing tools.

HF 2800 - Standings Bill DONE
The following language was added to the standings bill despite the fact it did not pass the funnel. Experts testified how dangerous this bill was and that we should never put affordability over safety.
Sections 103.1 subsection 12 A and 103.1B (sect 1 & 2) will be repealed when the new 2026 Electrical code is finalized..
It also prohibits local control to enact electrical codes stricter than the state.
Passed and Sent to the Governor-be sure to mention to your legislators that we should not give up, safety of our citizens for affordability.
DIVISION III
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
Sec. 35. Section 103.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION. 12A. “National electrical code” means the national electrical code, 2023 edition, published by the national fire protection association, as modified by section 103.1B, and excluding sections 210.52(C)(3), 230.67, and 406.4(D)(4) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition.
Sec. 36. NEW SECTION. 103.1B National electrical code —— alterations. For purposes of the national electrical code: 1. Dwelling units. Section 210.8(A) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, is amended by requiring that one hundred twenty-five volt through two hundred fifty volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated one hundred fifty volts or less to ground installed in a kitchen only require ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel where receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces and by striking section 210.8(A)(7) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition. In lieu of basements, section 210.8(A) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, shall apply to unfinished portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms. 2. Arc-fault circuit interrupters. Notwithstanding section 210.12(B) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, arc-fault circuit interrupters shall not be required for one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses, and section 210.12(B) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, shall not apply to kitchens or laundry areas. 3. Kitchen receptacles on islands and peninsulas. In lieu of the requirements of section 210.52(C)(2) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, an electrical provision or at least one receptacle shall be installed at each island and peninsular countertop space with a long dimension of six hundred millimeters, or twenty-four inches, or greater and a short dimension of three hundred millimeters, or twelve inches, or greater, with a peninsular countertop being measured from the connected perpendicular wall. 4. Load calculations. With respect to section 220.5(C) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, the calculated floor area of a dwelling unit shall additionally exclude garages. 5. Ceiling outlets. In addition to the requirements of section 314.27(A)(2) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, outlet boxes mounted in the ceilings of family rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, and similar areas of dwelling occupancies, and located in an area of the ceiling typical for the installation of a ceiling-suspended paddle fan shall be installed to accommodate a ceiling-suspended paddle fan in accordance with section 314.27(C) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition. 6. Boxes at ceiling-suspended paddle fan outlets. In lieu of the second paragraph of section 314.27(C) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, where a ceiling-suspended paddle fan is not installed, the outlet box shall comply with either section 314.27(C)(1) or 314.27(C)(2) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition. 7. Receptacles near bathtub and shower spaces. In lieu of the requirements of and exceptions to section 406.9(C) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, receptacles shall not be installed within or directly over a bathtub or shower stall. 8. Ground-fault circuit interrupters. Ground-fault circuit interrupter protection is not required for receptacles that serve sump pumps or refrigerators.
Sec. 37. NEW SECTION. 103.1C Electrical code —— amendments —— limitations. 1. A political subdivision shall not adopt a local electrical code that is more restrictive than the national electrical code. 2. Prior to adopting any changes to the national electrical code pursuant to section 103.6, including but not limited to by adopting the national electrical code, 2026 edition, published by the national fire protection association, the board shall conduct an analysis of the cost to consumers of any significant changes to the national electrical code. The analysis shall be submitted to the administrative rules coordinator and the administrative code editor for publication in the Iowa administrative bulletin along with the notice of intended action.
Sec. 38. FUTURE REPEAL. Section 103.1, subsection 12A, and section 103.1B, as enacted by this division of this Act, are repealed effective upon the adoption of the national electrical code, 2026 edition, published by the national fire protection association, by the electrical examining board. The electrical examining board shall inform the Iowa Code editor upon the adoption of the national electrical code, 2026 edition.
Sec. 39. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
IDAL- Division II - changes to State Building Code DONE

SF 2289 (SSB3040)
All fees collected by the commissioner shall be deposited in the state treasury to a newly created fund called the state licensing and regulation fund created in section 10A.507 SENATE PASSED WITH HOUSE AMENDMENT-DONE-HEADING THE GOVERNOR
SF 2479 Admin and Reg Appropriations DONE
As noted in above bill SF 2289 they also did this with the Fireworks Licensing Fund. It too now will go to IDAL to be deposited into the Licensing and Regulation fund. They promised to keep the funds as a line item for the same purposes it was designed for. (fireworks safety and education)We will need to do a FOIA request to make sure they do this. The fear is that they will scoop these funds and use them for other purposes.
A list of all enrolled bills for the 2026 session of the 91st Iowa General
Assembly can be found here.
The following bills did not pass this legislative session. We can bring them up again next year as a new bill if interested:

HF 2751/HF 2728 OBSTRUCTING FIRST RESPONDERS
(Lundgren, 31 Rs) (Ways & Means) Passed the House. Did not pass- The Senate did not work on this bill.
Makes it a serious misdemeanor to knowingly approach a first responder with the intent to obstruct the performance of the duty by the first responder after the person has received a verbal warning not to approach.

HF 2637 (HSB 652) - Peer Support ADDED TO BILL ABOVE
This bill was added in committee to HF 2728 - 3/25 Did not pass
This bill relates to the confidentiality of peer support communications for public safety officers. 

The bill amends Code section 80F.1 (peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights) by providing that the peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights does not require the disclosure, use, or consideration of confidential peer support communications in any informal inquiry, formal administrative investigation, disciplinary proceeding, or Brady-Giglio determination.

HF 2614 (HF 2428) Township Firehouses Registered FOR Did not pass
Under current law, township trustees are authorized to levy an annual tax not exceeding $0.405, $0.54, or $0.675 per $1,000 of assessed value of the taxable property in the township for the purpose of fire protection and emergency services, depending on services offered and the size of the county where the township is located. If the levy is not sufficient to provide the fire protection and emergency services, then the township may levy an additional annual tax not exceeding $0.2025 per $1,000 of assessed value of the taxable property in the township. Of the moneys collected from the levies, the township trustees are authorized to put up to $0.30 per $1,000 of assessed property value annually into a reserve account. The reserved moneys can be used to purchase or replace supplies and equipment required for fire protection and emergency services. This bill allows the reserved moneys to be used to construct a fire station.

HSB 689 EMS LEVIES (Ways & Means) Gustoff (C), Gjerde, Siegrist Did not pass Requires that the supervisors approve a county-wide levy for emergency management services if the funding is from a county-wide special levy.

SF 2458 (SSB 3008) - 911 Public Safety Answering Points Did not pass
This bill relates to public safety answering points, including setting limitations, property tax allocation, service requirements, management, consolidation, transfer of duties from joint 911 service boards to local emergency management commissions, and reporting requirements.

SF 2500/SF 2431 (SSB 3009) - Township Eliminated Did not pass
This new bill makes trustees and clerks in townships in counties under 75,000 appointed and requires all vacancies to be filled by appointment. Maintains duties on cemeteries, fences and fire protection. Does not allow levies for building township halls. Includes requirements for the training of trustees and clerks by the ISU extension council. Requires clerks to submit reports to the DOM and includes reporting requirements. Requires budgets to be submitted to the supervisors. Makes effective as of 2027.

SF 609 / HF 75 - Tax abatement for surviving spouse (REGISTERED FOR) Did not pass
This bill authorizes the abatement of property taxes and special assessments owed on property owned by the surviving spouse of an emergency services member killed in the line of duty.

HF 2778/HF 2280 EMS Tax credit Did not pass A bill for an act modifying the individual income tax credit for emergency medical services personnel to include volunteer ambulance drivers, and including retroactive applicability provisions. Passed House. Did not make it through the Senate