Bill > SF229

This bill transforms the Office of the Consumer Advocate from a division within the Department of Justice to an independent agency with several significant changes. The consumer advocate will now be appointed by the governor from a list of three candidates provided by a committee consisting of the secretary of agriculture, the auditor of state, and the treasurer of state, and will be subject to senate confirmation. The consumer advocate will serve a fixed five-year term, replacing the previous arrangement where they served at the attorney general's pleasure. The bill removes the attorney general's authority to set the consumer advocate's salary and employ staff, instead giving those responsibilities to the consumer advocate and the governor. Additionally, the bill requires the consumer advocate to regularly report to the same committee that helps select candidates, providing increased oversight. The legislation also mandates that the Office of the Consumer Advocate will be located near the utilities commission and may receive administrative support from them. The bill explicitly terminates the current consumer advocate's term of office on the bill's effective date, ensuring a clean transition to the new organizational structure.

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https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF229