Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
HF 312 – Cold Case Unit (LSB1946HV)
Staff Contact: Christin Mechler (515.250.0458) christin.mechler@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – REVISED (Fiscal Years in table and last paragraph)
Description
House File 312 establishes a Cold Case Investigation Task Force within the Department of
Public Safety (DPS). The Task Force is tasked, within its capabilities, with conducting criminal
investigations after an initial criminal investigation has been completed by law enforcement.
The Task Force is to focus on investigations involving unsolved murders, missing children, and
missing adults and must be comprised of law enforcement officers from various law
enforcement agencies.
The Bill requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to hire at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE)
positions to the Cold Case Investigation Task Force.
Background
Currently, no specific unit within the DPS is assigned to handle existing cold cases. At this time,
the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) takes responsibility for investigating cold cases as time and
resources allow.
Assumptions
Due to the complex nature of cold case investigations, the DPS will need to hire at the position
classification level of Special Agent. In order to investigate cold cases, significant crime-solving
experience is needed.
The DPS will hire 2.0 Special Agent FTE positions to be assigned to the Cold Case
Investigation Task Force. Table 1 provides a breakdown of the cost for one Special Agent FTE
position for two years, including salary and benefit details.
Table 1: Cost of 1.0 Special Agent FTE Position, FY 2022 – FY 2023
FY 2022 FY 2023
Salary and Benefits $ 91,000 $ 91,000
Estimated Overtime 10,700 10,700
Vehicle 38,200 3,000
Weapons/Related Accessories 2,450 200
Technology 4,140 800
Training 5,000 5,000
Uniform/Miscellaneous 3,100 N/A
Total $ 154,590 $ 110,700
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The DPS estimates that it will be able to fully onboard the Special Agent positions assigned to
the Task Force early FY 2022.
Fiscal Impact
House File 312 will increase the cost to the DPS by an estimated $309,180 in FY 2022 and
$221,400 in FY 2023.
Sources
Department of Public Safety
Legislative Services Agency
/s/ Holly M. Lyons
February 17, 2021
Doc ID 1211305
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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