Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
SF 40 – Cold Case Unit (LSB1329XS)
Staff Contact: Justus Thompson (515.725.2249) justus.thompson@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
Senate File 40 establishes a Cold Case Investigation Unit within the Department of Public
Safety (DPS). The Unit is tasked, within its capabilities, with conducting criminal investigations
after an initial criminal investigation has been completed by law enforcement. The Unit is
required to focus on investigations involving unsolved murders, missing children, and missing
adults presumed to be dead.
The Commissioner of Public Safety must appoint at least two full-time peace officers to the Cold
Case Investigation Unit. The DPS is required to adopt administrative rules and must ensure
proper training and resources for peace officers of the DPS assigned to the Cold Case
Investigation Unit.
Background
Currently, no specific unit within the DPS is assigned to handle cold cases. The Major Crime
Unit (MCU) of the Division of Criminal Investigation takes responsibility for investigating cold
cases as time and resources allow. As of February 23, 2023, the MCU had approximately 160
open cold cases.
Assumptions
• Due to the complex nature of cold cases, staffing the Cold Case Investigation Unit will
require 2.0 Special Agent full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.
• One-time equipment costs are the standard costs associated with outfitting of a new Special
Agent 2, including a vehicle, radios, weapons, ammunition, IT equipment, and other
equipment.
• One-time training costs include the costs to train someone on a particular specialty.
• Recurring annual costs include costs associated with vehicle depreciation payments, vehicle
fuel and maintenance, and communication costs.
Fiscal Impact
The costs of 2.0 Special Agent FTE positions for the Cold Case Investigation Unit are shown in
Table 1. Senate File 40 is estimated to increase costs to the DPS by $295,000 in FY 2024 and
by $199,000 in FY 2025. The DPS is funded through General Fund appropriations.
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 Table 1 — Cost of 2.0 Special Agent FTE Positions, FY 2024 to FY 2025
Expense FY 2024 FY 2025
Salary and Benefits $191,000 $191,000
Recurring Annual Costs 8,000 8,000
One-Time Equipment Costs 91,000 0
One-Time Training Costs 5,000 0
Total $295,000 $199,000
Sources
Department of Public Safety
Department of Management
LSA calculations
/s/ Jennifer Acton
March 10, 2023
Doc ID 1369798
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in
developing this fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services
Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov
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