A bill for an act requiring the state fire marshal to conduct a study on the consolidation of fire protection services, and including effective date provisions.

This bill (SF 594) requires Iowa's state fire marshal to study whether consolidating fire protection services into a countywide system would improve coverage and emergency response times. The study must analyze costs, current response times, staffing needs, equipment, communication systems, and compare Iowa's options with similar programs in other Midwest states. It will include input from fire chiefs' associations, city representatives (both large and small), county officials, and state legislators. The fire marshal must submit a report to the Iowa General Assembly by June 30, 2026. This bill does not implement consolidation but provides a factual basis for future decisions.