Relating to certain political communications and voluntary ethics statements and making penalties applicable

A person engaging in such telephone calls must submit to the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board, at least 24 hours prior to the first call, all information required to be disclosed during the call and the script that the caller will use. By operation of law, a person who willfully violates this section of the bill is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $315 but not more than $1,875. The bill prohibits a person from publishing certain false statements about a candidate for public officer with actual malice.32D. The bill directs the board to give such reports priority over other matters.701. The bill directs the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board to create a statement of fair campaign finances and mail it to any incumbent state officeholder running for reelection and to any other candidate for state office that has filed an organization statement. A person running for any other officer may request a copy of the statement. A candidate may choose to abide by the statement by signing it and returning it to the board. Compliance with the statement is voluntary.