68B.32 Independent ethics and campaign disclosure board — established.
1. An Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board is established as an independent agency. The board shall administer this chapter and set standards for, investigate complaints relating to, and monitor the ethics of officials, employees, lobbyists, and candidates for office in the executive branch of state government. The board shall administer and set standards for, investigate complaints relating to, and monitor the campaign finance practices of candidates for public office. The board shall administer and establish standards for, investigate complaints relating to, and monitor the reporting of gifts and bequests under section 8.7. The board shall consist of six members and shall be balanced as to political affiliation as provided in section 69.16. The members shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate.
2. Members shall serve staggered six-year terms beginning and ending as provided in section 69.19. Any vacancy on the board shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term, within ninety days of the vacancy and in accordance with the procedures for regular appointments. A member of the board may be reappointed to serve additional terms on the board. Members may be removed in the manner provided in chapter 69.
3. The board shall annually elect one member to serve as the chairperson of the board and one member to serve as vice chairperson. The vice chairperson shall act as the chairperson in the absence or disability of the chairperson or in the event of a vacancy in that office.
4. Members of the board shall receive a per diem as specified in section 7E.6 while conducting business of the board, and payment of actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Members of the board shall file statements of financial interest under section 68B.35.
5. The board shall employ a full-time executive director who shall be the board’s chief administrative officer. The board shall employ or contract for the employment of legal counsel notwithstanding section 13.7, and any other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the board. The board’s legal counsel shall be the chief legal officer of the board and shall advise the board on all legal matters relating to the administration of this chapter and chapter 68A. The state may be represented by the board’s legal counsel in any civil action regarding the enforcement of this chapter or chapter 68A, or at the board’s request, the state may be represented by the office of the attorney general. Notwithstanding section 8A.412, all of the board’s employees, except for the executive director and legal counsel, shall be employed subject to the merit system provisions of chapter 8A, subchapter IV. The salary of the executive director shall be fixed by the board, within the range established by the general assembly. The salary of the legal counsel shall be fixed by the board, within a salary range established by the department of administrative services for a position requiring similar qualifications and experience.
92 Acts, ch 1228, §14; 93 Acts, ch 163, §14; 95 Acts, ch 198, §18; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §155, 286; 2006 Acts, ch 1035, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1191, §41
Referred to in §68A.101, 68A.102, 331.210A
Confirmation, see §2.32
Structure Iowa Code
Title II - ELECTIONS AND OFFICIAL DUTIES
Chapter 68B - GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND LOBBYING
Section 68B.2A - Prohibited outside employment and activities — conflicts of interest.
Section 68B.2B - Executive branch compensation.
Section 68B.2C - Prohibited outside employment and activities — agents of foreign principals.
Section 68B.3 - When public bids required — disclosure of income from other sales.
Section 68B.4 - Sales or leases by regulatory agency officials and employees.
Section 68B.4A - Sales by legislative employees.
Section 68B.4B - Sales or leases by members of the office of the governor.
Section 68B.5 - Gifts solicited or accepted.
Section 68B.5A - Ban on certain lobbying activities.
Section 68B.6 - Services against state prohibited.
Section 68B.7 - Prohibited use of influence.
Section 68B.8 - Lobbying activities by state agencies.
Section 68B.21 - Legislative intent.
Section 68B.22 - Gifts accepted or received.
Section 68B.23 - Honoraria — banned.
Section 68B.24 - Loans — receipt from lobbyists prohibited.
Section 68B.25 - Additional penalty.
Section 68B.26 - Actions commenced.
Section 68B.31 - Legislative ethics committee.
Section 68B.31A - Investigation by independent special counsel — probable cause.
Section 68B.32 - Independent ethics and campaign disclosure board — established.
Section 68B.32A - Duties of the board.
Section 68B.32B - Complaint procedures.
Section 68B.32C - Contested case proceedings.
Section 68B.32D - Penalties — recommended actions.
Section 68B.33 - Judicial review — enforcement.
Section 68B.34 - Additional penalty.
Section 68B.34A - Actions commenced against local officials or employees.
Section 68B.36 - Applicability — lobbyist registration required.
Section 68B.37 - Lobbyist reporting.