Relating to lobbying activities by political subdivisions

This bill relates to the lobbying activities of political subdivisions. The bill defines “political subdivision” as a county, city, township, community college, area education agency, or school district, and “lobbying” as direct action to encourage the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order that is being considered by the general assembly, a state agency, or a statewide elected official. The bill provides that a political subdivision that contracts with or otherwise compensates a person to lobby on behalf of the political subdivision shall do so in a reasonable manner, including by using written requests for proposals to solicit lobbying services. The duration of a contract for lobbying services shall not exceed five years, and a renewal or new contract for lobbying services also requires the use of a written request for proposal. The bill provides that if a political subdivision contracts with or otherwise compensates a person to lobby on behalf of the political subdivision in exchange for compensation, or if any employee, officer, or elected or appointed official of the political subdivision engages in more than hours of lobbying on behalf of the political subdivision in a calendar month, the political subdivision is subject to certain document preservation requirements. Current law provides that the Iowa state association of counties, the Iowa league of cities, and the Iowa association of school boards be audited annually by the auditor of state or by a certified public accountant, and that the audit state all moneys expended for expenses incurred by and salaries paid to legislative representatives and lobbyists of such associations. The bill requires that the audit also include the total number of hours the association’s representatives and lobbyists spent lobbying.7.