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Bill > HF354
IA HF354
IA HF354A bill for an act relating to lobbying activities of former or future executive or administrative heads of licensing boards, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.
summary
Introduced
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
In Committee
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
Under current law, a person who serves as a statewide elected official, the executive or administrative head of an agency of state government, the deputy executive or administrative head of an agency of state government, and a member of the general assembly are prohibited from becoming a lobbyist for two years following the termination of service or employment. This bill also prohibits an executive or administrative head of a licensing board, as defined in Code section 272C.1, from acting as a lobbyist for two years after the termination of the person’s service or employment. Additionally, the bill prohibits a person who was a lobbyist from serving as an executive or administrative head of a licensing board for two years after the person stopped lobbying. Code section 272C.1 includes 32 specifically identified licensing boards. The bill does not prohibit an executive or administrative head of a licensing board from lobbying as the board’s executive director. By operation of law, a person who knowingly and intentionally acts as a lobbyist when prohibited from being a lobbyist is guilty of a serious misdemeanor and may be reprimanded, suspended, or dismissed from the person’s position or otherwise sanctioned. Under the bill, a person who was a lobbyist and then serves as an executive or administrative head of a licensing board when prohibited commits a serious misdemeanor. 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.
AI Summary
This bill addresses restrictions on lobbying and leadership roles for certain government officials, specifically targeting executives and administrative heads of licensing boards. The legislation expands existing two-year cooling-off period restrictions by prohibiting former licensing board executives from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving their positions, and simultaneously preventing former lobbyists from serving as executives of licensing boards during a similar two-year timeframe. The bill defines a licensing board according to Code section 272C.1, which encompasses 32 specific boards, and establishes that violations of these restrictions constitute a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor under this bill carries potential penalties including up to one year of confinement and a fine ranging from $430 to $2,560. Importantly, the legislation does not prevent a licensing board's executive director from lobbying, maintaining a narrow and specific focus on preventing potential conflicts of interest between lobbying and regulatory leadership roles. By implementing these restrictions, the bill aims to reduce potential improper influence and maintain the integrity of both lobbying and regulatory processes in state government.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to State Government. H.J. 304. (on 02/12/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF354 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF354.html |
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