Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Senate File 2267 - Enrolled
                                                    Senate File 2267
                                  AN ACT
     RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE DISTRICTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
    Section 1. Section 357J.1, Code 2022, is amended to read as
 follows:
    357J.1 Authorization and purpose.
    1. This chapter authorizes a pilot project for which a
 county of the state may establish an the establishment of
 emergency response district districts.
    2. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a county within
 the state an opportunity to participate in a pilot project
 having a new governance structure to facilitate the delivery
 and funding of fire protection service and emergency medical
 service to residents of the county. do all of the following:
    a. Serve a public use and promote the health, safety,
 prosperity, security, and general welfare of the citizens
 of emergency response districts by preventing or reducing
 duplication, overlap, and fragmentation of the functions and
 facilities of special districts.
    b. Better serve the citizens of the state through
 consolidation.
    c. Reduce costs and increase efficiency of operation.
                                             Senate File 2267, p. 2
    Sec. 2. Section 357J.2, Code 2022, is amended to read as
 follows:
    357J.2 Definitions.
    As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise
 requires:
    1. “Board” means the board of supervisors of a county.
    2. 1. “Commission” means a governing body composed of a
 member of the board of supervisors, the sheriff, and the mayor
 from each city within the district. A member of the commission
 shall not appoint a designee to serve on the commission in the
 member’s capacity or designee of each governmental entity that
 is a member of the emergency response district.
    3. 2. “District” means an emergency response district area.
    3. “Governmental entity” means a county, city, or township.
    Sec. 3. Section 357J.3, Code 2022, is amended by striking
 the section and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
    357J.3 Notification of public hearing.
    1. Each governmental entity intending to participate in
 an emergency response district shall issue a notice of intent
 to hold a public hearing concerning the establishment of a
 proposed district. The hearing shall not be held until at
 least thirty days after the notice is issued but not more than
 ninety days after the notice is issued.
    2. Notice required under subsection 1 shall include all of
 the following information:
    a. A statement explaining the need for fire protection
 service or emergency medical service.
    b. The geographic boundaries of the district.
    c. The approximate number of families in the district.
    d. The proposed personnel, equipment, and facilities to
 provide the fire protection services or emergency medical
 services.
    e. The date, time, and location of the public hearing.
    Sec. 4. Section 357J.4, Code 2022, is amended to read as
 follows:
    357J.4 District —— boundary changes.
    1. The boundary lines of a district may include any
 incorporated or unincorporated areas within a county.
    2. a. The boundary lines of a district shall not be changed
                                              Senate File 2267, p. 3
 after the district is established except as provided in this
 subsection.
    a. b. The boundary lines of a district shall be changed and
 shall become effective immediately upon approval of all of the
 following:
    (1) The the commission and each governmental entity
 currently participating in the emergency response district.
    (2) The board of township trustees of the area proposed to
 be included or excluded from the district.
    (3) The district fire chief.
    (4) The assistant fire chief who is responsible for delivery
 of fire protection service and emergency medical service
 within the area proposed to be excluded from the district, if
 applicable.
    (5) The fire chief of a fire department in the area proposed
 to be included in the district, if applicable.
    b. The boundary lines of a district shall be changed to
 exclude a city or the unincorporated areas of a township if the
 commission receives a written request from the governing body
 of the city or the board of township trustees, as applicable,
 requesting exclusion from the district. However, a boundary
 change under this paragraph shall become effective no earlier
 than eighteen months following receipt of the written request.
    Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 357J.19 Dissolution of district.
    Incorporation documents of an emergency response district
 shall include provisions for dissolution, the withdrawal of an
 individual participant in the emergency response district, and
 the dispensing of property in the case of either event.
                                             Senate File 2267, p. 4
  Sec. 6. REPEAL. Sections 357J.5, 357J.6, 357J.7, 357J.8,
357J.9, and 357J.14, Code 2022, are repealed.
   ______________________________     ______________________________
   JAKE CHAPMAN                       PAT GRASSLEY
   President of the Senate            Speaker of the House
      I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate and
   is known as Senate File 2267, Eighty-ninth General Assembly.
                                      ______________________________
                                      W. CHARLES SMITHSON
                                      Secretary of the Senate
   Approved _______________, 2022     ______________________________
                                      KIM REYNOLDS
                                      Governor
Statutes affected: 
Introduced: 357J.1, 357J.2, 357J.3, 357J.4
Enrolled: 357J.1, 357J.2, 357J.3, 357J.4