This bill proposes the elimination of townships as a form of local government in Iowa, transferring their responsibilities and duties to counties. It amends various sections of the Iowa Code to remove references to townships, including provisions related to taxation, bond issuance, and property management. Notably, the bill mandates that counties assume jurisdiction over cemeteries previously managed by townships and appoint fence viewers to oversee animal health matters. Additionally, it allows counties to levy a tax specifically for cemetery maintenance and establishes requirements for fire protection and emergency medical services in unincorporated areas.

The bill includes a transition plan that requires counties to take ownership of township funds, property, and obligations by July 1, 2027, while ensuring that any ongoing legal matters related to townships are preserved. The terms of all elected township officials will terminate on this date. Certain provisions regarding cemetery management and fire protection services will take effect on June 30, 2027, while the rest of the bill will be effective from July 1, 2027. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline local governance in Iowa by consolidating responsibilities at the county level and eliminating the role of townships.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 165.35, 359A.2A, 359A.6, 359A.2, 359A.8, 359A.10, 558.49, 359A.23, 359.17, 359.37, 359.30, 359.38, 359.39, 359.40, 523I.508, 331.424B, 28E.32, 28E.41, 28E.16, 28J.1, 29C.22, 29C.9, 29C.2, 85.61, 100.2, 100B.21, 101.8, 102.1, 233.1, 321.423, 331.385, 331.424C, 357B.7, 357B.18, 357B.4, 357J.10, 357J.12, 357J.15, 384.1, 359.42, 357F.8, 6A.5, 6B.2, 8G.3, 11.6, 12C.1, 12C.4, 8.89, 15E.167, 19.1, 22.1, 468.3, 22A.1, 24.2, 25B.3, 29E.1, 37.21, 37.9, 39.21, 39.27, 49.41, 43.73, 50.7, 63.10, 63A.2, 64.1A, 64.2, 64.3, 64.11, 64.19, 64.23, 64.24, 65.3, 65.1A, 69.2, 69.4, 69.8, 73.1, 73.5, 73.6, 73.14, 73A.1, 73A.2, 26.3, 73A.4, 73A.5, 73A.7, 73A.9, 73A.10, 73A.11, 73A.12, 73A.13, 73A.14, 73A.15, 73A.16, 73A.17, 73A.18, 75.1, 39.2, 97B.1A, 97C.2, 99A.1, 142D.2, 145A.2, 161E.14, 172A.3, 172D.1, 199.1, 231.4, 252.24, 257.11, 257B.4, 257B.6, 257B.1A, 257B.20, 261A.4, 297.22, 298.7, 327G.8, 327G.18, 331.238, 331.248, 331.260, 331.322, 331.502, 331.505, 331.512, 331.756, 331.901, 336.18, 336.19, 349.16, 357A.22A, 359.4, 368.7, 403A.2, 410.3, 421.17, 422.12, 423.14A, 427.1, 434.22, 434.17, 437.10, 437.9, 437.2, 438.14, 441.42, 443.1, 444.1, 444.2, 455B.131, 455B.381, 468.221, 476.44, 476.48, 480A.2, 520.1, 565.6, 636.23, 670.1, 724.28, 729.6, 39.22