Authorizing length of service award programs for volunteer fire fighters, volunteer emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers, and making appropriations

This bill authorizes a municipality, defined as a city, county, township, benefited fire district, or agency authorized by law to provide emergency response services, to establish a length of service award program as described in section 457(e)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code for volunteer fire fighters, volunteer emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers. The bill provides that the governing body of a municipality that establishes a program shall, in consultation with the chief or other person in command of the fire department and police department serving the municipality, as applicable, adopt guidelines providing for eligibility requirements for participation by volunteer fire fighters, volunteer emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers, minimum vesting requirements, distribution requirements, and such other guidelines as deemed necessary to operate the program. The bill also establishes a length of service award program grant fund under the control of the state fire service and emergency response council (council). Each fiscal year, $1 million in lottery revenues shall be transferred to the fund prior to deposit of lottery revenues in the general fund of the state. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the council for grants to municipalities that have established a length of service award program to provide contributions to the program on behalf of participants. The bill requires the council to develop and submit to the state fire marshal for adoption rules establishing a grant application process that shall provide for up to a dollar-for-dollar funding match from a municipality that has established a length of service award program. The bill requires the council to consult with the Iowa firefighters association and issue grants based on the association’s recommendations.