Iowa Emergency Groups Urge Governor To Veto New 911 Fee

Local 911 service boards and emergency management officials in Iowa are urging Governor Kim Reynolds to line-item veto a provision in a recently passed budget bill that would allow the Iowa 911 Program to charge local boards for undefined "reasonable costs" associated with delivering 911 calls. This last-minute addition to Senate File 659, passed just before the legislative session ended, has raised concerns over vague language, the absence of a cap on fees, and the financial burden it could place on already constrained local budgets. Officials warn that the new fee could force cuts in staffing and resources, potentially leading to slower emergency response times and jeopardizing critical infrastructure upgrades. While the 911 system currently receives funding through a $1 monthly surcharge on phone bills, the new mandate could require additional unplanned payments to the state within 30 days of billing. Law enforcement and emergency groups emphasize the need for modernization of the 911 system but insist it must be done with local input and without compromising service readiness. Governor Reynolds' office has stated that she is reviewing the bill, with the option to veto the specific 911 provision while signing the remainder of the budget into law.