Relating to open meetings and open records, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 18, 2025
Done: House committeeFebruary 26, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 24, 202595–0
Done: Senate committeeApril 2, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateApril 17, 202534–13
Done: To the GovernorMay 19, 2025
Done: Signed into lawJune 6, 2025

Became HF 706 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 706 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

Under current law, a court is required to assess a person who participated in a violation of Code chapter (open meetings) damages between $100 and $500. This bill increases the damages to between $500 and $2,500. Under current law, if a violation was knowingly committed, a court is required to assess the person damages between $1,000 and $2,500. The bill increases the damages to between $5,000 and $12,500. The bill requires a court to issue an order removing a member of a governmental body from office if that member has engaged in a prior violation of Code chapter regardless of whether damages were assessed against the member during the member’s term, which is a prerequisite to removal under current law.

Read the full explanation

The bill requires a newly elected or appointed public official who is a member of a governmental body to complete a course of training regarding the responsibilities of the governmental body and the governmental body’s members under Code chapters and (open records) not later than the 90th day after the date the member takes the initial oath of office or assumes responsibilities. The bill requires the Iowa public information board to ensure that the training is made available. The board may provide the training and approve any acceptable course of training offered by a governmental body or other entity. The board shall ensure that at least one course of training approved or provided by the board is available at no cost. The bill requires the board or other entity providing the training to provide a certificate of course completion, which the governmental body must make available for public inspection. The bill provides that if a member fails to complete the required training, the failure does not affect the validity of an action taken by the governmental body.6. The bill’s provisions relating to a course of training do not apply to the judicial or legislative branches of state government or any entity, officer, or employee of those branches, or to the governor or the office of the governor.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendments S-3110, H-1088; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

House subcommittee

Named February 18, 2025. On February 19, 2025 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§21.12

Amends§21.6 §23.10 §23.6

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

5 for · 2 against · 21 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Tried before

HF 2539Vetoed90th GA HF 2062Renumbered90th GA

91st General Assembly

HF 416Renumbered HF 706Became lawfrom HF 416

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

HF 2062 Relating to open meetings and open records, providing penalties, and making penalties appl…
90th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 2539 · same title
Cleared committee
HF 2539 Relating to penalties associated with open meetings violations. Vetoed 5-17-24
90th General Assembly · Vetoed by Governor · very similar
Vetoed

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.