Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
SF 2234 – Cold Case Unit (LSB5943SV.1)
Staff Contact: Evan Johnson (515.281.6301) evan.johnson@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – REVISED (fiscal estimate)
Description
Senate File 2234 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 to
focus on investigations involving unsolved murders, missing children, and missing adults
presumed to be dead.
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 10, 2022, the MCU had 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.
• The Department will adopt administrative rules for the Unit.
Fiscal Impact
The costs of 2.0 Special Agent FTE positions for the Cold Case Investigation Unit are shown in
Table 1. Senate File 2234 is estimated to increase costs to the DPS by $292,000 in FY 2023
and by $196,000 in FY 2024. The DPS is funded through General Fund appropriations.
Table 1 — Cost of 2.0 Special Agent FTE Positions, FY 2023 to FY 2024
Expense FY 2023 FY 2024
Salary and Benefits $ 188,000 $ 188,000
Recurring Annual Costs 8,000 8,000
One-Time Equipment Costs 91,000 0
One-Time Training Costs 5,000 0
Total $ 292,000 $ 196,000
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Source
Department of Public Safety
/s/ Holly M. Lyons
March 4, 2022
Doc ID 1288276
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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