91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

SF 165: Authorizing length of service award programs for volunteer fire fighters, volunteer emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers, and making appropriations

Became SF 627 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

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.

Cost

No fiscal note

Senate subcommittee · named February 5, 2025

Sen. Mark S. Lofgren (R) · mark.lofgren@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Matt Blake (D) · matt.blake@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 6 for, 0 against

For: Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association; Iowa Fire Chiefs Association; Iowa Firefighters Association (IFA); Iowa League of Cities; Iowa Professional Fire Fighters; Iowa State Reserve Law Officers Association

In plain words

January 29, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Appropriations committee
February 5, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Lofgren, Blake and Shipley
February 6, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
April 16, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 627