A bill for an act relating to reimbursement for costs related to the delivery of 911 call traffic to public safety answering points.

Iowa Senate File 2023 (SF2023) was introduced on January 12, 2026, by Senator Charlie McClintock. The bill aimed to establish a framework for reimbursing local 911 service boards for costs associated with delivering 911 call traffic to public safety answering points (PSAPs). Specifically, it proposed that the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) could request reimbursement from local 911 service boards for "reasonable costs" related to this delivery. The bill was referred to the Senate State Government Committee and was scheduled for a subcommittee meeting on February 9, 2026. However, it did not progress beyond the subcommittee stage and was considered to have died in committee. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/IA/bill/SF2023/2025?utm_source=openai))

The bill's introduction sparked discussions about the financial sustainability of Iowa's 911 services. Proponents argued that the reimbursement mechanism could help address funding shortfalls faced by the HSEMD, ensuring the continued operation and enhancement of 911 services statewide. They emphasized the importance of maintaining robust emergency response systems and viewed the bill as a step toward securing necessary resources for PSAPs.

Opponents, including leaders of the Iowa 911 Program, expressed significant concerns about the bill. They argued that the provision allowing the state to seek reimbursement from local 911 service boards for "reasonable costs" was too vague, lacking clear definitions of what constituted reasonable costs and how billing would be managed. This ambiguity raised fears of unexpected financial burdens on local service boards, potentially impacting their ability to deliver essential emergency services effectively. Additionally, the bill's failure to progress beyond the subcommittee stage indicated a lack of consensus and support within the legislative process. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/IA/bill/SF2023/2025?utm_source=openai))