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Bills › 91st General Assembly

SF 325Died when the session ended · February 25, 2025

Concerning conflicts of interest involving a county attorney

Sponsored by Sen. Mark S. Lofgren (R)

Topics:Courts & civil lawCities & counties

Same legislation: HF 414, HF 862

Write your legislators about it

Also covers HF 414 and HF 862.

What changed before it passed
Official bill pageLobbyist declarationsOne-pager to print

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 20, 2025
  3. Done: Senate committeeMarch 7, 2025
  4. Done: Passes the SenateApril 16, 202530–17
  5. Skipped: House committeeSkipped
  6. Done: Passes the HouseMarch 26, 202593–3
  7. Done: To the GovernorMay 19, 2025
  8. Done: Signed into lawMay 19, 2025

HF 862 became law → The same legislation passed as HF 862, so this version was set aside. Go to HF 862 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill concerns the duties and responsibilities of county attorneys. The bill adds engaging in the simultaneous representation of the county, the board of supervisors, and any other county official if a conflict of interest exists between the parties and engaging in any other type of legal representation if it creates a conflict of interest with the county to the list of prohibited actions of a county attorney. A majority of a board of supervisors may decide to obtain outside counsel if a dispute exists between the county attorney, the board of supervisors, or any other county official.

Read the full explanation

A board of supervisors may hire outside counsel to decide whether a conflict exists with the county attorney. If outside counsel determines a conflict of interest exists, a district court may review that determination upon request by the county attorney. If a county sheriff reasonably believes that a conflict of interest exists with the county attorney and the board of supervisors refuses to act, the county sheriff may, through notice pleadings, petition a district court for a determination of whether a conflict of interest exists and request a stay on any pending proceedings. The district court shall issue a ruling on the merits within days and may appoint outside counsel to represent the county sheriff or issue any other order in the interest of justice and all court costs and expenses shall by paid by the county.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendments S-3107, H-1176; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

Senate subcommittee

Named February 20, 2025. On February 25, 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

Amends§331.755

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

Lobbying

3 for · 5 against · 9 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.

91st General Assembly

HF 414RenumberedHouse companionSF 325Cleared committeeSenate companionHF 862Became lawfrom HF 414

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