ARC 0628D

ARC 0628D

PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT[661]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to identification cards
and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Department of Public Safety hereby proposes to amend Chapter 93, “Identification Cards for Former Peace Officers of the Iowa Department of Public Safety,” Iowa Administrative Code, and to adopt a new Chapter 93 with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Executive Order 10 and 18 U.S.C. §926C.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, 18 U.S.C. §926C.

Purpose and Summary

    Pursuant to Executive Order 10, the Department proposes to rescind Chapter 93 and adopt a new chapter in lieu thereof. These proposed rules provide a procedure for a qualified former member of the Department to apply for a new or duplicate former peace officer identification (ID) card after the person is no longer employed by the Department as a peace officer, to complete required annual firearms qualification under auspices of the Department and receive a card certifying that such required annual firearms qualification has been completed, and to appeal decisions of the Department not to issue a former peace officer identification card or an annual firearms qualification card.

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on July 8, 2026. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   July 29, 2026

    The Department received no comments.

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 7—Chapter 2504.

Public Comment

     Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 21, 2026. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

    Public hearings at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

    Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

     Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Department and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

    ITEM 1.  Rescind 661—Chapter 93 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 93

IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR FORMER PEACE OFFICERS
OF THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

661—93.1(18USC926C) General provisions. It is the policy of the department of public safety to provide any qualified former peace officer member of the department with a permanent card that identifies the holder as a qualified former law enforcement officer upon separation from employment as a peace officer with the department. These rules provide a procedure for a qualified former member of the department to apply for a new or duplicate former peace officer ID card after the person is no longer employed by the department as a peace officer, to complete required annual firearms qualification under auspices of the department and receive a card certifying that such required annual firearms qualification has been completed, and to appeal decisions of the department not to issue a former peace officer identification card or an annual firearms qualification card.

661—93.2(18USC926C) Definitions. The following definitions apply to the rules in this chapter:

    “Commissioner” means the commissioner of the department of public safety.

    “Department” means the Iowa department of public safety.

    “Former peace officer identification (ID) card” means a photographic identification card issued by the department to a qualified former law enforcement officer with the department.

    “Qualified former law enforcement officer” means a person who:

    1.   Retired or separated in good standing from service with the department as a law enforcement officer; and

    2.   Was not officially found by a qualified medical professional employed by the department to be unqualified for reasons relating to mental health; and

    3.   Did not enter into an agreement with the department in which the officer acknowledged that the officer was not qualified for reasons relating to mental health; and

    4.   Before such retirement or separation, was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law and had statutory powers of arrest; and

    5.   Met one of the following two requirements:

     ?   Before such retirement or separation, was regularly employed as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of ten years or more; or

     ?   Retired from service with the department, after completing any applicable probationary period of such service, due to an accidental disability, as determined by the board of directors of the department peace officers’ retirement, accident, and disability system, pursuant to Iowa Code section 97A.6 and rule 661—401.1(97A).

661—93.3(18USC926C) Application for former peace officer ID card.

    93.3(1) A qualified former law enforcement officer of the department may apply for a former peace officer identification card prior to retirement or any time after such retirement becomes effective.

    93.3(2) Application shall be made on a form available from the office of the commissioner.

    93.3(3) The completed application form may be submitted to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Office of the Commissioner, 215 East 7th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

    93.3(4) Upon receipt of a completed application, the department shall verify that the applicant met the requirements for issuance of a former peace officer identification card at the time of separation from employment with the department.

    93.3(5) If the applicant met all of the requirements for a qualified former law enforcement officer at the time of separation from employment as a peace officer with the department, the application shall be approved, unless the commissioner is aware of information that would disqualify the applicant that arose from conduct or circumstances that occurred after the time of separation. Issuance of a former peace officer identification card by the department implies no warranty of the continuing eligibility of the former peace officer to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §926C.

    93.3(6) If the applicant did not meet all of the requirements for a qualified former law enforcement officer at the time of separation from employment as a peace officer with the department or if the commissioner is aware of information that would disqualify the applicant based on conduct or circumstances that occurred after separation from the department, then the application shall be denied and the applicant shall be notified of the denial.

    93.3(7) The commissioner shall notify an approved applicant and shall provide instructions for completion of the issuance process. Such instructions may include a requirement for the applicant to be present at a time and location designated by the department to be photographed for the identification card.

    93.3(8) Issuance of an initial former peace officer identification card shall be at no charge to the qualified former law enforcement officer.

    93.3(9) If a qualified former peace officer of the department loses an identification card, or if a card is damaged, a replacement may be issued. The former officer shall notify the office of the commissioner of the loss or damage and may apply for a replacement card.

661—93.4(18USC926C) Annual firearms qualification—certification card.

    93.4(1) Qualified former law enforcement officers with the department may participate in annual firearms qualification offered by the department and, upon successful completion of the annual firearms qualification, receive proof thereof from the department. A card certifying successful completion of the annual qualification and specifying the date of the qualification shall be issued by the firearms instructor conducting the qualification on behalf of the department to each qualified former law enforcement officer who has successfully completed the qualification. A card certifying successful completion of the qualification shall be issued by department personnel only to a qualified former law enforcement officer with the department who successfully completes the annual firearms qualification under the auspices of the department. Participation in annual firearms qualification offered by the department is restricted to qualified former law enforcement officers with the department who are residents of the state of Iowa at the time of the qualification.

NOTE: Any qualified former law enforcement officer with the department may participate in annual firearms qualification offered by a certified firearms instructor other than under the auspices of the department. A card to certify proof of successful completion of annual firearms qualification may be issued only by the firearms instructor who conducts the qualification.

    93.4(2) Annual firearms qualification shall be offered periodically and at various locations in the state to qualified retired and former officers of the department who reside in Iowa. While the department will make a good-faith effort to notify all qualified and former peace officer members of the department who reside in Iowa of the availability of such training, it is the responsibility of each qualified former peace officer member of the department to inquire about such training if the qualified former peace officer wishes to use the qualification or training to obtain the annual certification of firearms qualification required under 18 U.S.C. §926C.

    93.4(3) A qualified former law enforcement officer with the department who resides in Iowa shall be offered the opportunity to participate in annual firearms qualification at no cost to the qualified former officer, except that any former officer of the department who participates in annual firearms qualification offered under the auspices of the department shall supply any firearm, ammunition, or equipment required to be used in the qualification.

    93.4(4) A qualified former law enforcement officer with the department residing in Iowa who plans to participate in firearms qualification or firearms familiarization training offered by the department should inquire via email to the department prior to the qualification or training as to what information and material the qualified former peace officer is required to provide at the training. An application form for an annual firearms qualification shall be provided electronically to the qualified former peace officer member. The qualified former peace officer member shall complete the application form and submit it to the instructor prior to the start of the qualification or training.

    93.4(5) An instructor supervising annual qualification or training on behalf of the department shall refuse to admit a former law enforcement officer with the department to the qualification session or training if the former law enforcement officer with the department is not a resident of the state of Iowa at the time of qualification or the instructor knows that the former law enforcement officer with the department does not meet the requirements for possession of a firearm under state or federal law or is otherwise unable to meet the requirements to be a qualified former law enforcement officer under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. §926C. An instructor may refuse to admit any qualified former law enforcement officer with the department to an annual firearms qualification if, in the judgment of the instructor, participation in the session by the qualified former law enforcement officer would be unsafe.

    93.4(6) If the qualified former law enforcement officer with the department satisfies the requirements for annual firearms qualification, the instructor shall complete and issue the qualified former law enforcement officer an annual firearms qualification certification card on a form provided by the department. If the former law enforcement officer with the department fails to attain a qualifying score, the instructor shall notify the former law enforcement officer with the department.

661—93.5(17A) Appeals. Any action taken by the department that adversely affects the applicant may be appealed through the process delineated in 7—Chapter 2505.

These rules are intended to implement 18 U.S.C. §926C.