Relating to government ethics of employees of a state agency, and making penalties applicable

Under current law, an ethics committee is established in the senate and in the house of representatives.31, receive and hear complaints and charges against members of its chamber, lobbyists, or clients of a lobbyist alleging a violation of the code of ethics, rules governing lobbyists, Code chapter 68B (government ethics and lobbying), or other matters referred to it by its chamber or independent special counsel. This bill amends Code chapter 68B to prohibit a person who serves or is employed by a state agency from using a badge, uniform, business card, electronic mail address, or other evidences of office or employment while engaging in an activity concerning a member of the general assembly that is unrelated to the official duties of the person’s employment or service. The bill adds such persons to the jurisdiction of each chamber’s ethics committee. Any person may file an ethics complaint against a person who violates the bill. Under current law, any person may file a complaint with the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board (board), which is an independent agency established to oversee government ethics and lobbying, alleging that a candidate, committee, person holding a state office in the executive branch of state government, employee of the executive branch of state government, or other person has committed a violation of Code chapter 68A (campaign finance), Code chapter 68B, or rules adopted by the board. A person who violates the bill is also subject to a complaint filed with the board. A person who knowingly and intentionally violates the bill is guilty of a serious misdemeanor and may be reprimanded, suspended, or dismissed from the person’s position or otherwise sanctioned. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. When used in the bill, “state agency” means a department, division, board, commission, bureau, authority, or office of the executive or legislative branch of state government, the office of attorney general, the state board of regents, community colleges, and the office of the governor, including a regulatory agency, but does not include any agricultural commodity promotional board, which is subject to a producer referendum.