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Bill > SF2332
IA SF2332
IA SF2332A bill for an act relating to the payment of dependent care expenses from campaign funds, and making penalties applicable.
summary
Introduced
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to the payment of dependent care expenses with campaign funds. The bill permits a candidate to pay for dependent care expenses using campaign funds if the expense is incurred as a direct result of a campaign activity or official duty if the candidate wins election, the candidate would not have needed the dependent care but for the candidate’s candidacy or election, the payment to the dependent care provider is reasonable, and the dependent care provider is not the spouse or dependent child of the candidate. The bill requires the candidate to keep logs relating to payment for any such services, which shall be provided to the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board upon request during the course of an audit. The bill requires the candidate’s committee to preserve a dependent care log for five years following the submission of a report relating to the log, or for three years following the dissolution of the committee. A person who violates a provision of Code chapter 68A is subject to civil penalties imposed by the Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board, including remedial action, a reprimand, and a civil penalty up to $2,000. In addition, a person who willfully violates a provision of Code chapter 68A is guilty of 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 allows candidates to use campaign funds to pay for dependent care expenses, such as childcare, if these expenses are directly caused by campaign activities or official duties if elected, and would not have been necessary if the candidate were not running for office or already in office. The payments must be reasonable, and the care provider cannot be the candidate's spouse or child. Candidates must maintain detailed logs of these expenses, including dates, purposes, duration, provider names, and costs, and these logs must be submitted as a line-item expense in campaign reports and provided to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board upon request during an audit. Campaign committees must keep these logs for five years after a related report is filed or three years after the committee dissolves. Violations of campaign finance laws, including these new provisions, can result in civil penalties up to $2,000, reprimands, or remedial actions, and willful violations are considered serious misdemeanors, punishable by jail time and fines.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Subcommittee: Rozenboom, Drey, and Schultz. S.J. 295. (on 02/16/2026)
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=SF2332 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2332.html |
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