Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to government bodies for purposes of open records, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the Senate Local Government Committee
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 29, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 29, 2025
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 3, 2025
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 5, 202686–0
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Certain organizations that work for a county, city, or township would now be considered government bodies under Iowa law. This change means these groups must follow the same public record rules and penalties as other government agencies. It also means officials in these groups could face criminal charges if they intentionally falsify public documents.1
Read the official explanation
This bill amends the definition of “government body” in Code chapter (open records) to include an instrumentality of a county, city, or township, thereby subjecting such instrumentalities to open records requirements and associated civil penalties applicable to government bodies. The bill defines the term “instrumentality”.1 (felonious misconduct in office).1, a public officer or employee who knowingly falsifies a writing, or knowingly delivers a falsified writing, with the knowledge that the writing is falsified and that the writing will become a public record of a government body, commits a class “D” felony. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 13, 2026. On January 22, 2026 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
Fiscal note
Cost: up to $18,100 Compare with other bills
AI summary Senate File 503 expands the definition of a government body to include certain instrumentalities of cities, counties, or townships. The fiscal impact of this bill cannot be determined but is anticipated to be minimal. Any resulting costs to the state's General Fund would be incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the Department of Corrections.3
From the note: The fiscal impact of Senate File 503 cannot be determined but is anticipated to be minimal. The average State cost for a Class D felony is between $13,000 and $18,100. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the DOC. The costs would be incurred across multiple fiscal years for prison and parole supervision.
- Public Records, Government Bodies · March 4, 2026 · $18,100
- Public Records, Government Bodies · March 4, 2026 · $18,100
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91st General Assembly