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HR4 • 2026

A resolution relating to the code of ethics of the House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(Formerly HSB 94 .)

A resolution relating to the code of ethics of the House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(Formerly HSB 94 .)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON ETHICS
Last action
2025-02-06
Official status
Resolution adopted. H.J. 252 .
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

A resolution relating to the code of ethics of the House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(Formerly HSB 94 .)

A resolution relating to the code of ethics of the House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(Formerly HSB 94 .)

What This Bill Does

  • A resolution relating to the code of ethics of the House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(Formerly HSB 94 .)

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-06 Iowa Legislature

    Resolution adopted. H.J. 252 .

  2. 2025-02-03 Iowa Legislature

    Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 180 .

Official Summary Text

A resolution relating to the code of ethics of the House of Representatives for the Ninety-first General Assembly.(Formerly HSB 94 .)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
House

Resolution

4

-

Introduced

HOUSE

RESOLUTION

NO.

4

BY

COMMITTEE

ON

ETHICS

(SUCCESSOR

TO

HSB

94)

A

Resolution

relating

to

the

code

of

ethics

of

the

1

House

of

Representatives

for

the

Ninety-first

2

General

Assembly.

3

BE

IT

RESOLVED

BY

THE

HOUSE

OF

REPRESENTATIVES,

That

4

the

House

Code

of

Ethics

shall

be

as

follows:

5

HOUSE

CODE

OF

ETHICS

6

PREAMBLE.

Every

legislator

and

legislative

employee

7

has

a

duty

to

uphold

the

integrity

and

honor

of

the

8

general

assembly,

to

encourage

respect

for

the

law

9

and

for

the

general

assembly,

and

to

observe

the

house

10

code

of

ethics.

The

members

and

employees

of

the

house

11

have

a

responsibility

to

conduct

themselves

so

as

to

12

reflect

credit

on

the

general

assembly,

and

to

inspire

13

the

confidence,

respect,

and

trust

of

the

public.

The

14

following

rules

are

adopted

pursuant

to

chapter

68B

of

15

the

Code,

to

assist

the

members

and

employees

in

the

16

conduct

of

their

activities:

17

1.

DEFINITIONS.

The

definitions

of

terms

provided

18

in

chapter

68B

of

the

Code

apply

to

the

use

of

those

19

terms

in

these

rules.

20

2.

ECONOMIC

INTEREST

OF

MEMBER

OR

EMPLOYEE

OF

21

HOUSE.

22

a.

Economic

or

investment

opportunity.

A

member

23

or

employee

of

the

house

shall

not

solicit

or

accept

24

economic

or

investment

opportunity

under

circumstances

25

where

the

member

or

employee

knows,

or

should

know,

26

that

the

opportunity

is

being

afforded

with

the

intent

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4

to

influence

the

member’s

or

employee’s

conduct

in

1

the

performance

of

official

duties.

If

a

member

2

or

employee

of

the

house

learns

that

an

economic

3

or

investment

opportunity

previously

accepted

was

4

offered

with

the

intent

of

influencing

the

member’s

or

5

employee’s

conduct

in

the

performance

of

the

official

6

duties,

the

member

or

employee

shall

take

steps

to

7

divest

that

member

or

employee

of

that

investment

or

8

economic

opportunity,

and

shall

report

the

matter

9

in

writing

to

the

chairperson

of

the

house

ethics

10

committee.

11

b.

Excessive

charges

for

services,

goods,

or

12

property

interests.

A

member

or

employee

of

the

13

house

shall

not

charge

to

or

accept

from

a

person

14

known

to

have

a

legislative

interest,

a

price,

fee,

15

compensation,

or

other

consideration

for

the

sale

or

16

lease

of

any

property

or

the

furnishing

of

services

17

which

is

in

excess

of

that

which

the

member

or

employee

18

would

ordinarily

charge

another

person.

19

c.

Use

of

confidential

information.

A

member

or

20

employee

of

the

house,

in

order

to

further

the

member’s

21

or

employee’s

own

economic

interests,

or

those

of

any

22

other

person,

shall

not

disclose

or

use

confidential

23

information

acquired

in

the

course

of

the

member’s

or

24

employee’s

official

duties.

For

the

purpose

of

this

25

rule,

information

disclosed

in

open

session

at

a

public

26

meeting

and

information

that

is

a

public

record

is

not

27

confidential

information.

28

d.

Employment.

A

member

or

employee

of

the

house

29

shall

not

accept

employment,

either

directly

or

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4

indirectly,

from

a

political

action

committee.

A

1

member

of

the

house

shall

not

act

as

a

paid

lobbyist

2

for

any

organization.

However,

this

paragraph

shall

3

not

prohibit

a

member

or

employee

of

the

house

from

4

working

for

a

candidate’s

committee,

a

political

5

party’s

action

committee,

or

a

political

action

6

committee

which

does

not

expressly

advocate

the

7

nomination,

election,

or

defeat

of

a

candidate

for

8

public

office

in

this

state

or

expressly

advocate

the

9

passage

or

defeat

of

a

ballot

issue

in

this

state

and

10

which

is

not

interested

in

issues

before

the

general

11

assembly.

12

For

the

purpose

of

this

rule,

a

political

action

13

committee

means

a

committee,

but

not

a

candidate’s

14

committee,

which

accepts

contributions,

makes

15

expenditures,

or

incurs

indebtedness

in

the

aggregate

16

of

more

than

one

thousand

dollars

in

any

one

calendar

17

year

to

expressly

advocate

the

nomination,

election,

or

18

defeat

of

a

candidate

for

public

office

or

to

expressly

19

advocate

the

passage

or

defeat

of

a

ballot

issue

or

for

20

the

purpose

of

influencing

legislative

action.

21

e.

Solicitation

of

employment

as

lobbyist.

A

member

22

or

employee

of

the

house

shall

not

solicit

employment

23

on

behalf

of

the

member

or

employee,

or

on

behalf

of

24

another

legislator

or

employee,

as

a

lobbyist

while

the

25

general

assembly

is

in

session.

26

f.

Certain

goods

or

services.

A

member

or

employee

27

of

the

house

shall

not

solicit

or

obtain

goods

or

28

services

from

another

person

under

circumstances

where

29

the

member

or

employee

knows

or

should

know

that

the

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goods

or

services

are

being

offered

or

sold

with

the

1

intent

to

influence

the

member’s

or

employee’s

conduct

2

in

the

performance

of

official

duties.

If

a

member

3

or

employee

of

the

house

is

afforded

goods

or

services

4

by

another

person

at

a

price

that

is

not

available

to

5

other

members

or

classes

of

members

of

the

general

6

public

or

is

afforded

goods

or

services

that

are

not

7

available

to

other

members

or

classes

of

members

8

of

the

general

public

by

another

person

where

the

9

member

or

employee

knows

or

should

know

that

the

other

10

person

intends

to

influence

the

member’s

or

employee’s

11

official

conduct,

the

member

or

employee

shall

not

take

12

or

purchase

the

goods

or

services.

13

3.

APPEARANCE

BEFORE

STATE

AGENCY.

A

member

or

14

employee

of

the

house

may

appear

before

a

state

agency

15

in

any

representation

case

but

shall

not

act

as

a

16

lobbyist

with

respect

to

the

passage,

defeat,

approval,

17

veto,

or

modification

of

any

legislation,

rule,

or

18

executive

order.

Whenever

a

member

or

employee

of

19

the

house

appears

before

a

state

agency,

the

member

20

or

employee

shall

carefully

avoid

all

conduct

which

21

might

in

any

way

lead

members

of

the

general

public

22

to

conclude

that

the

member

or

employee

is

using

the

23

member’s

or

employee’s

official

position

to

further

the

24

member’s

or

employee’s

professional

success

or

personal

25

financial

interest.

26

4.

CONFLICTS

OF

INTEREST.

In

order

for

the

general

27

assembly

to

function

effectively,

members

of

the

house

28

may

be

required

to

vote

on

bills

and

participate

in

29

committee

work

which

will

affect

their

employment

and

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other

areas

in

which

they

may

have

a

monetary

interest.

1

Action

on

bills

and

committee

work

which

furthers

a

2

member’s

specific

employment,

specific

investment,

or

3

other

specific

interest,

as

opposed

to

the

interests

of

4

the

public

in

general

or

the

interests

of

a

profession,

5

trade,

business,

or

other

class

of

persons,

shall

be

6

avoided.

In

making

a

decision

relative

to

a

member’s

7

activity

on

particular

bills

or

in

committee

work,

the

8

following

factors

should

be

considered:

9

a.

Whether

a

substantial

threat

to

the

member’s

10

independence

of

judgment

has

been

created

by

the

11

conflict

situation.

12

b.

The

effect

of

the

member’s

participation

on

13

public

confidence

in

the

integrity

of

the

general

14

assembly.

15

c.

Whether

the

member’s

participation

is

likely

to

16

have

any

significant

effect

on

the

disposition

of

the

17

matter.

18

d.

The

need

for

the

member’s

particular

19

contribution,

such

as

special

knowledge

of

the

subject

20

matter,

to

the

effective

functioning

of

the

general

21

assembly.

22

If

a

member

decides

not

to

participate

in

committee

23

work

or

to

abstain

from

voting

because

of

a

possible

24

conflict

of

interest,

the

member

should

disclose

25

this

fact

to

the

legislative

body.

The

member

shall

26

not

vote

on

any

question

in

which

the

member

has

an

27

economic

interest

that

is

distinguishable

from

the

28

interests

of

the

general

public

or

a

substantial

class

29

of

persons.

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5.

STATUTORY

REQUIREMENTS.

Members

and

employees

1

of

the

house

shall

comply

with

the

requirements

2

contained

in

chapters

68B

(Government

Ethics

and

3

Lobbying),

721

(Official

Misconduct),

and

722

(Bribery

4

and

Corruption),

and

sections

2.18

(Contempt)

and

711.4

5

(Extortion)

of

the

Code.

6

6.

CHARGE

ACCOUNTS.

Members

and

employees

of

the

7

house

shall

not

charge

any

amount

or

item

to

a

charge

8

account

to

be

paid

for

by

a

lobbyist

or

any

client

of

a

9

lobbyist.

10

7.

TRAVEL

EXPENSES.

A

member

or

employee

of

the

11

house

shall

not

charge

to

the

state

of

Iowa

amounts

12

for

travel

and

expenses

unless

the

member

or

employee

13

actually

has

incurred

those

mileage

and

expense

costs.

14

Members

or

employees

shall

not

file

the

vouchers

for

15

weekly

mileage

reimbursement

required

by

section

2.10,

16

subsection

1,

of

the

Code,

unless

the

travel

expense

17

was

actually

incurred.

18

A

member

or

employee

of

the

house

shall

not

file

19

a

claim

for

per

diem

compensation

for

a

meeting

of

20

an

interim

study

committee

or

a

visitation

committee

21

unless

the

member

or

employee

attended

the

meeting.

22

However,

the

speaker

may

waive

this

provision

and

allow

23

a

claim

to

be

filed

if

the

member

or

employee

attempted

24

to

attend

the

meeting

but

was

unable

to

do

so

because

25

of

circumstances

beyond

the

member’s

or

employee’s

26

control.

27

8.

GIFTS

ACCEPTED

OR

RECEIVED.

Members

and

28

employees

of

the

house

shall

comply

with

the

29

restrictions

relating

to

the

receipt

or

acceptance

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of

gifts

contained

in

section

68B.22

of

the

Code.

1

The

sponsor

of

a

function

under

section

68B.22,

2

subsection

4,

paragraph

“s”,

shall

electronically

3

file

a

registration

with

the

chief

clerk

of

the

house

4

five

days

prior

to

the

function

disclosing

the

name

of

5

the

sponsor,

and

the

date,

time,

and

location

of

the

6

function.

The

sponsor

shall

also

electronically

file

a

7

report

of

expenditures

as

required

pursuant

to

section

8

68B.22,

subsection

4,

paragraph

“s”.

9

9.

HONORARIA

RESTRICTIONS.

Members

and

employees

10

of

the

house

shall

comply

with

the

restrictions

11

relating

to

the

receipt

of

honoraria

contained

in

12

section

68B.23

of

the

Code.

13

10.

DISCLOSURE

BY

MEMBERS

REQUIRED.

Each

member

of

14

the

house

and

the

chief

clerk

of

the

house

shall

file

15

the

personal

financial

disclosure

statements

required

16

under

section

68B.35

of

the

Code

by

February

15

of

each

17

year

for

the

prior

calendar

year.

18

10A.

DISCLOSURE

BY

CANDIDATES

REQUIRED.

A

19

candidate

for

election

to

the

house

shall

file

a

20

personal

financial

disclosure

statement,

as

provided

21

in

section

68B.35

of

the

Code,

with

the

chief

clerk

on

22

forms

provided

by

the

chief

clerk

within

fourteen

days

23

after

the

deadline

for

the

filing

of

nomination

papers

24

or

fourteen

days

after

the

nominating

convention,

as

25

applicable.

Such

disclosures

shall

be

made

for

the

26

year

preceding

the

year

in

which

the

election

is

to

27

be

held.

A

statement

filed

under

this

rule

shall

28

be

open

to

public

inspection

in

the

chief

clerk’s

29

office

at

all

reasonable

times.

The

chief

clerk

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shall

provide

information

relating

to

the

duty

to

1

file

the

necessary

statement

and

applicable

deadlines

2

to

persons

interested

in

becoming

a

candidate

for

3

election

to

the

house.

The

chief

clerk

shall

inform

4

the

ethics

committee

of

the

statements

that

are

filed

5

by

candidates

and

shall

report

to

the

ethics

committee

6

the

name

of

any

candidate

who

appears

to

have

not

filed

7

a

complete

statement.

The

chief

clerk

shall

notify

a

8

candidate

who

has

failed

to

file

a

complete

statement

9

to

file

a

complete

statement

within

five

days.

If

a

10

candidate

does

not

file

a

complete

statement

within

11

five

days

after

receiving

notice,

the

chief

clerk

shall

12

fine

the

candidate

fifty

dollars,

payable

to

the

“Iowa

13

House

of

Representatives”

for

deposit

in

the

general

14

fund

of

the

state

established

pursuant

to

section

15

444.21

of

the

Code,

and

the

ethics

committee

may

16

require

the

candidate

to

appear

before

the

committee.

17

11.

HARASSMENT

——

SEXUAL

HARASSMENT

——

RETALIATION.

18

Members

and

employees

of

the

house

shall

not

engage

in

19

conduct

which

constitutes

harassment,

including

sexual

20

harassment

as

defined

in

section

19B.12

of

the

Code,

or

21

retaliation,

or

conduct

that

is

prohibited

pursuant

to

22

any

harassment

policy

adopted

by

the

house

committee

23

on

administration

and

rules.

Harassment

is

a

form

of

24

discrimination

based

on

any

protected

basis,

including

25

race,

color,

national

origin,

religion,

sex,

pregnancy,

26

physical

or

mental

disability,

age,

marital

status,

27

veteran

status,

gender

identity,

sexual

orientation,

28

or

any

other

characteristic

protected

by

law,

including

29

the

federal

Civil

Rights

Act

of

1964,

the

federal

Age

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Discrimination

in

Employment

Act

of

1967,

the

federal

1

Americans

with

Disabilities

Act

of

1990,

and

chapter

2

216

of

the

Code.

Harassment

of

an

individual

based

3

on

any

protected

basis

is

unlawful

if

submission

to

4

or

rejection

of

such

conduct

by

an

individual

is

made

5

the

basis

for

an

employment

decision

affecting

the

6

individual

or

if

such

conduct

is

sufficiently

severe

7

or

pervasive

to

create

a

hostile

work

environment.

8

Members

and

employees

of

the

house

shall

not

engage

9

in

conduct

which

constitutes

unlawful

harassment

10

or

discrimination

based

on

any

protected

basis,

or

11

retaliation

for

reporting

harassment

or

discrimination,

12

threatening

to

report

harassment

or

discrimination,

13

or

participating

in

a

harassment

or

discrimination

14

investigation.

15

12.

COMPLAINTS.

16

a.

Filing

of

complaint.

Complaints

may

be

filed

by

17

any

person

believing

that

a

member

or

employee

of

the

18

house,

a

lobbyist,

or

a

client

of

a

lobbyist

is

guilty

19

of

a

violation

of

the

house

code

of

ethics,

the

joint

20

rules

governing

lobbyists,

or

chapter

68B

of

the

Code.

21

b.

Complaints

by

committee.

The

ethics

committee

22

may

initiate

a

complaint

on

its

own

motion.

Committee

23

complaints

may

be

initiated

by

the

committee

as

a

24

result

of

a

committee

investigation

or

as

a

result

of

25

receipt

of

any

complaint

or

other

information

that

does

26

not

meet

the

requirements

of

these

rules

regarding

the

27

form

of

a

complaint

but

that

contains

allegations

that

28

would

form

the

basis

for

a

valid

complaint.

29

c.

Form

and

contents

of

complaint.

A

complaint

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shall

be

in

writing.

1

Complaint

forms

shall

be

available

from

the

chief

2

clerk

of

the

house,

but

a

complaint

shall

not

be

3

rejected

for

failure

to

use

the

approved

form

if

it

4

complies

with

the

requirements

of

these

rules.

The

5

complaint

shall

contain

a

certification

made

by

the

6

complainant,

under

penalty

of

perjury,

that

the

facts

7

stated

in

the

complaint

are

true

to

the

best

of

the

8

complainant’s

knowledge.

9

To

be

valid,

a

complaint

shall

allege

all

of

the

10

following:

11

(1)

Facts,

that

if

true,

establish

a

violation

of

12

a

provision

of

chapter

68B

of

the

Code,

the

house

code

13

of

ethics,

or

joint

rules

governing

lobbyists

for

which

14

penalties

or

other

remedies

are

provided.

15

(2)

That

the

conduct

providing

the

basis

for

the

16

complaint

occurred

within

three

years

of

the

filing

of

17

the

complaint.

18

(3)

That

the

party

charged

with

a

violation

is

19

a

party

subject

to

the

jurisdiction

of

the

ethics

20

committee.

21

d.

Confidentiality

of

complaint.

The

identity

of

22

the

parties

and

the

contents

of

the

complaint

shall

23

be

confidential

until

the

time

that

the

committee

24

chairperson

and

ranking

member

determine

under

25

paragraph

“f”

that

the

complaint

is

sufficient

as

26

to

form,

unless

either

the

complainant

or

the

party

27

charged

in

the

complaint

makes

the

identity

of

the

28

parties,

or

the

information

contained

in

the

complaint,

29

public.

The

chief

clerk

of

the

house

and

the

committee

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chairperson

and

ranking

member

may

communicate

1

confidentially

with

appropriate

legislative

staff

2

during

any

stage

of

the

complaint

process.

3

e.

Notice

of

complaint.

Upon

receipt

of

the

4

complaint,

the

chief

clerk

of

the

house

shall

promptly

5

notify

the

chairperson

and

ranking

member

of

the

6

ethics

committee

that

a

complaint

has

been

filed

and

7

provide

both

the

chairperson

and

the

ranking

member

8

with

copies

of

the

complaint

and

any

supporting

9

information.

Within

two

working

days,

the

chief

10

clerk

shall

send

notice

,

either

by

personal

delivery

11

or

by

certified

mail,

return

receipt

requested,

to

12

the

person

or

persons

alleged

to

have

committed

the

13

violation,

along

with

a

copy

of

the

complaint

and

any

14

supporting

information.

The

notice

to

the

accused

15

person

shall

contain

a

request

inform

the

person

that

16

the

person

has

ten

working

days

to

submit

a

written

17

response

to

the

complaint

within

ten

working

days

of

18

the

date

that

the

notice

was

sent

by

the

chief

clerk

19

after

the

chairperson

and

ranking

member

determine

the

20

complaint

is

sufficient

as

to

form

.

At

the

request

21

of

the

accused

person,

the

committee

may

extend

the

22

time

for

the

response,

not

to

exceed

ten

additional

23

calendar

days.

A

response

to

a

complaint

shall

not

be

24

confidential.

25

f.

Hearing

regarding

Determination

of

sufficiency

26

as

to

form

of

complaint

and

validity

of

complaint.

The

27

committee

chairperson

and

the

ranking

member

shall

28

review

the

complaint

and

supporting

information

to

29

determine

whether

the

complaint

meets

the

requirements

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as

to

form.

If

the

complaint

is

deficient

as

to

form,

1

the

complaint

shall

be

returned

to

the

complainant

2

with

instructions

indicating

the

deficiency.

If

3

the

complaint

is

in

writing,

is

sufficient

as

to

4

form,

and

contains

the

appropriate

certification,

5

as

soon

as

practicable,

the

chairperson

and

ranking

6

member

shall

notify

the

accused

person.

Without

7

delay,

the

chairperson

shall

call

a

meeting

of

the

8

committee

to

review

the

complaint

to

determine

whether

9

the

complaint

meets

the

requirements

for

validity

10

and

whether

the

committee

should

take

action

on

the

11

complaint

pursuant

to

paragraph

“g”

or

whether

the

12

committee

should

request

that

the

chief

justice

of

the

13

supreme

court

appoint

an

independent

special

counsel

14

to

conduct

an

investigation

to

determine

whether

15

probable

cause

exists

to

believe

that

a

violation

16

of

the

house

code

of

ethics,

joint

rules

governing

17

lobbyists,

or

chapter

68B

of

the

Code,

has

occurred.

18

The

sufficiency

as

to

form

determination

and

the

valid

19

complaint

requirements

determination

shall

be

based

20

solely

upon

the

original

complaint

and

the

response

to

21

the

complaint.

Additional

documents

or

responses

shall

22

not

be

filed

by

the

parties

or

otherwise

considered

by

23

the

committee

prior

to

a

validity

determination.

The

24

committee

shall

not

receive

or

consider

oral

testimony

25

in

support

of

or

against

a

validity

determination.

26

If

the

committee

finds

that

a

complaint

does

not

27

meet

the

content

requirements

for

a

valid

complaint,

28

the

committee

shall

dismiss

the

complaint

and

notify

29

both

the

complainant

and

the

party

alleged

to

have

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committed

the

violation

of

the

dismissal

and

the

1

reasons

for

dismissal.

A

dismissal

for

failure

to

meet

2

the

formal

requirements

for

the

filing

of

a

complaint

3

shall

be

without

prejudice

and

the

complainant

may

4

refile

the

complaint

at

any

time

within

three

years

5

of

the

date

that

the

alleged

violation

took

place.

If

6

the

dismissal

is

based

upon

a

failure

to

allege

facts

7

and

circumstances

necessary

for

a

valid

complaint,

the

8

dismissal

shall

be

with

prejudice

and

the

party

shall

9

not

be

permitted

to

file

a

complaint

based

upon

the

10

same

facts

and

circumstances.

11

g.

Action

on

undisputed

complaint.

If

the

committee

12

determines

a

complaint

is

valid

and

determines

no

13

dispute

exists

between

the

parties

regarding

the

14

material

facts

that

establish

a

violation,

the

15

committee

may

take

action

on

the

complaint

under

this

16

paragraph

without

requesting

the

appointment

of

an

17

independent

special

counsel.

18

The

committee

may

do

any

of

the

following:

19

(1)

Issue

an

admonishment

to

advise

against

the

20

conduct

that

formed

the

basis

for

the

complaint

and

to

21

exercise

care

in

the

future.

22

(2)

Issue

an

order

to

cease

and

desist

the

conduct

23

that

formed

the

basis

for

the

complaint.

24

(3)

Make

a

recommendation

to

the

house

that

25

the

person

subject

to

the

complaint

be

censured

or

26

reprimanded.

27

h.

Request

for

appointment

of

independent

special

28

counsel.

If,

after

review

of

the

complaint

and

any

29

response

made

by

the

party

alleged

to

have

committed

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the

violation,

the

committee

determines

that

the

1

complaint

meets

the

requirements

for

form

and

content

2

and

the

committee

has

not

taken

action

under

paragraph

3

“g”,

the

committee

shall

request

that

the

chief

justice

4

of

the

supreme

court

appoint

independent

special

5

counsel

to

investigate

the

matter

and

determine

whether

6

probable

cause

exists

to

believe

that

a

violation

of

7

chapter

68B

of

the

Code,

the

house

code

of

ethics,

or

8

the

joint

rules

governing

lobbyists

has

occurred.

9

i.

Receipt

of

report

of

independent

special

counsel.

10

The

report

from

the

independent

special

counsel

11

regarding

probable

cause

to

proceed

on

a

complaint

12

shall

be

filed

with

the

chief

clerk

of

the

house.

13

Upon

receipt

of

the

report

of

the

independent

special

14

counsel,

the

chief

clerk

shall

notify

the

chairperson

15

of

the

filing

of

the

report

and

shall

send

copies

of

16

the

report

to

the

members

of

the

ethics

committee.

As

17

soon

as

practicable

after

the

filing

of

the

report,

the

18

chairperson

shall

schedule

a

public

meeting

for

review

19

of

the

report.

The

purpose

of

the

public

meeting

20

shall

be

to

determine

whether

the

complaint

should

be

21

dismissed,

whether

a

formal

hearing

should

be

held

on

22

the

complaint,

or

whether

other

committee

action

is

23

appropriate.

The

complainant

and

the

person

alleged

to

24

have

committed

the

violation

shall

be

given

notice

of

25

the

public

meeting,

shall

have

the

right

to

be

present

26

at

the

public

meeting,

and

may,

at

the

discretion

27

of

the

committee,

present

testimony

in

support

of

or

28

against

the

recommendations

contained

in

the

report.

29

If

the

committee

determines

that

the

matter

should

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be

dismissed,

the

committee

shall

cause

an

order

to

1

be

entered

dismissing

the

matter

and

notice

of

the

2

dismissal

shall

be

given

to

the

complainant

and

the

3

party

alleged

to

have

committed

the

violation.

If

4

the

committee

determines

that

the

complaint

should

be

5

scheduled

for

formal

hearing,

the

committee

shall

issue

6

a

charging

statement

which

contains

the

charges

and

7

supporting

facts

that

are

to

be

set

for

formal

hearing

8

and

notice

shall

be

sent

to

the

complainant

and

the

9

accused

person.

10

The

notice

shall

include

a

statement

of

the

nature

11

of

the

charge

or

charges,

a

statement

of

the

time

and

12

place

of

hearing,

a

short

and

plain

statement

of

the

13

facts

asserted,

and

a

statement

of

the

rights

of

the

14

accused

person

at

the

hearing.

15

j.

Formal

hearing.

Formal

hearings

shall

be

public

16

and

conducted

in

the

manner

provided

in

section

68B.31,

17

subsection

8,

of

the

Code.

At

a

formal

hearing

the

18

accused

shall

have

the

right

to

be

present

and

to

19

be

heard

in

person

and

by

counsel,

to

cross-examine

20

witnesses,

and

to

present

evidence.

Members

of

21

the

committee

shall

also

have

the

right

to

question

22

witnesses.

23

The

committee

may

require,

by

subpoena

or

otherwise,

24

the

attendance

and

testimony

of

witnesses

and

the

25

production

of

such

books,

records,

correspondence,

26

memoranda,

papers,

documents,

and

any

other

things

it

27

deems

necessary

to

the

conduct

of

the

inquiry.

28

Evidence

at

the

formal

hearing

shall

be

received

29

in

accordance

with

rules

and

procedures

applicable

to

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contested

cases

under

chapter

17A

of

the

Code.

1

The

committee

chairperson,

or

the

vice

chairperson

2

or

ranking

member

in

the

absence

of

the

chairperson,

3

shall

preside

at

the

formal

hearing

and

shall

rule

on

4

the

admissibility

of

any

evidence

received.

The

ruling

5

of

the

chairperson

may

be

overturned

by

a

majority

6

vote

of

the

committee.

Independent

special

counsel

7

shall

present

the

evidence

in

support

of

the

charge

8

or

charges.

The

burden

shall

be

on

the

independent

9

special

counsel

to

prove

the

charge

or

charges

by

clear

10

and

convincing

evidence.

Upon

completion

of

the

formal

11

hearing,

the

committee

shall

adopt

written

findings

12

of

fact

and

conclusions

concerning

the

merits

of

the

13

charges

and

make

its

report

and

recommendation

to

the

14

house.

15

k.

Disqualification

of

member.

Members

of

the

16

committee

may

disqualify

themselves

from

participating

17

in

any

investigation

of

the

conduct

of

another

person

18

upon

submission

of

a

written

statement

that

the

member

19

cannot

render

an

impartial

and

unbiased

decision

20

in

a

case.

A

member

may

also

be

disqualified

by

a

21

unanimous

vote

of

the

remaining

eligible

members

of

the

22

committee.

23

A

member

of

the

committee

is

ineligible

to

24

participate

in

committee

meetings,

as

a

member

of

the

25

committee,

in

any

proceeding

relating

to

the

member’s

26

own

official

conduct.

27

If

a

member

of

the

committee

is

disqualified

or

28

ineligible

to

act,

the

majority

or

minority

leader

who

29

appointed

the

member

shall

appoint

a

replacement

member

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to

serve

as

a

member

of

the

committee

during

the

period

1

of

disqualification

or

ineligibility.

2

l.

Recommendations

by

the

committee.

The

committee

3

shall

recommend

to

the

house

that

the

complaint

be

4

dismissed,

or

that

one

or

more

of

the

following

be

5

imposed:

6

(1)

That

the

member

or

employee

of

the

house

7

or

lobbyist

or

client

of

a

lobbyist

be

censured

or

8

reprimanded,

and

the

recommended

appropriate

form

of

9

censure

or

reprimand

be

used.

10

(2)

That

the

member

of

the

house

be

suspended

or

11

expelled

from

membership

in

the

house

and

required

12

to

forfeit

the

member’s

salary

for

that

period,

the

13

employee

of

the

house

be

suspended

or

dismissed

from

14

employment,

or

that

the

lobbyist’s

or

lobbyist’s

15

client’s

lobbying

privileges

be

suspended.

16

13.

COMMUNICATIONS

WITH

ETHICS

COMMITTEE.

After

a

17

complaint

has

been

filed

or

an

investigation

has

been

18

initiated,

a

party

to

the

complaint

or

investigation

19

shall

not

communicate,

or

cause

another

to

communicate,

20

as

to

the

merits

of

the

complaint

or

investigation

with

21

a

member

of

the

committee,

except

under

the

following

22

circumstances:

23

a.

During

the

course

of

any

meetings

or

other

24

official

proceedings

of

the

committee

regarding

the

25

complaint

or

investigation.

26

b.

In

writing,

if

a

copy

of

the

writing

is

27

delivered

to

the

adverse

party

or

the

designated

28

representative

for

the

adverse

party.

29

c.

Orally,

if

adequate

prior

notice

of

the

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communication

is

given

to

the

adverse

party

or

the

1

designated

representative

for

the

adverse

party.

2

d.

As

otherwise

authorized

by

statute,

the

house

3

code

of

ethics,

joint

rules

governing

lobbyists,

or

4

vote

of

the

committee.

5

14.

PERMANENT

RECORD.

The

chief

clerk

of

the

house

6

shall

maintain

a

permanent

record

of

all

complaints

7

filed

and

any

corresponding

committee

action.

The

8

permanent

record

shall

be

prepared

by

the

ethics

9

committee

and

shall

contain

the

date

the

complaint

10

was

filed,

name

and

address

of

the

complainant,

name

11

and

address

of

the

accused

person,

a

brief

statement

12

of

the

charges

made,

any

evidence

received

by

the

13

committee,

any

transcripts

or

recordings

of

committee

14

action,

and

ultimate

disposition

of

the

complaint.

In

15

recording

the

ultimate

disposition

of

a

complaint

that

16

is

dismissed,

the

information

shall

include

whether

17

the

complaint

was

dismissed

due

to

formal

insufficiency

18

or

due

to

a

failure

to

meet

the

content

requirements

19

of

a

valid

complaint.

Except

as

provided

in

rule

20

12,

paragraph

“d”,

the

chief

clerk

shall

keep

each

21

complaint

confidential

until

public

disclosure

is

made

22

by

the

ethics

committee.

23

15.

MEETING

AUTHORIZATION.

The

house

ethics

24

committee

is

authorized

to

meet

at

the

discretion

of

25

the

committee

chairperson

in

order

to

conduct

hearings

26

and

other

business

that

properly

may

come

before

it.

27

If

the

committee

submits

a

report

seeking

house

action

28

against

a

member

or

employee

of

the

house

or

lobbyist

29

after

the

second

regular

session

of

a

general

assembly

30

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has

adjourned

sine

die,

the

report

shall

be

submitted

1

to

and

considered

by

the

subsequent

general

assembly.

2

16.

ADVISORY

OPINIONS.

3

a.

Requests

for

formal

opinions.

A

request

for

a

4

formal

advisory

opinion

may

be

filed

by

any

person

who

5

is

subject

to

the

authority

of

the

ethics

committee.

6

The

ethics

committee

may

also

issue

a

formal

advisory

7

opinion

on

its

own

motion,

without

having

previously

8

received

a

formal

request

for

an

opinion,

on

any

issue

9

that

is

within

the

jurisdiction

of

the

committee.

10

Requests

shall

be

filed

with

either

the

chief

clerk

of

11

the

house

or

the

chairperson

of

the

ethics

committee.

12

b.

Form

and

contents

of

requests.

A

request

for

13

a

formal

advisory

opinion

shall

be

in

writing

and

14

may

pertain

to

any

subject

matter

that

is

related

to

15

application

of

the

house

code

of

ethics,

the

joint

16

rules

governing

lobbyists,

or

chapter

68B

of

the

17

Code

to

any

person

who

is

subject

to

the

authority

of

18

the

ethics

committee.

Requests

shall

contain

one

or

19

more

specific

questions

and

shall

relate

either

to

20

future

conduct

or

be

stated

in

the

hypothetical.

A

21

request

for

an

advisory

opinion

shall

not

specifically

22

name

any

individual

or

contain

any

other

specific

23

identifying

information,

unless

the

request

relates

24

to

the

requester’s

own

conduct.

However,

any

request

25

may

contain

information

which

identifies

the

kind

26

of

individual

who

may

be

affected

by

the

subject

27

matter

of

the

request.

Examples

of

this

latter

kind

28

of

identifying

information

may

include

references

to

29

conduct

of

a

category

of

individuals,

such

as

but

not

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limited

to

conduct

of

legislators,

legislative

staff,

1

or

lobbyists.

2

c.

Confidentiality

of

formal

requests

and

opinions.

3

Requests

for

formal

opinions

are

not

confidential

and

4

any

deliberations

of

the

committee

regarding

a

request

5

for

a

formal

opinion

shall

be

public.

Opinions

issued

6

in

response

to

requests

for

formal

opinions

are

not

7

confidential,

shall

be

in

writing,

and

shall

be

placed

8

on

file

in

the

office

of

the

chief

clerk

of

the

house.

9

Persons

requesting

formal

opinions

shall

personally

10

receive

a

copy

of

the

written

formal

opinion

that

is

11

issued

in

response

to

the

request.

12

17.

PERSONAL

FINANCIAL

DISCLOSURE

FORM.

The

13

following

form

shall

be

used

for

disclosure

of

economic

14

interests

under

these

rules

and

section

68B.35

of

the

15

Code:

16

STATEMENT

OF

ECONOMIC

INTERESTS

17

Name:_________________________________________________

18

(Last)

(First)

(Middle

Initial)

19

Address:______________________________________________

20

(Street

Address,

Apt.#/P.O.

Box)

21

______________________________________________

22

(City)(State)(Zip)

23

Phone:(Home)_____/____-_____(Business)_____/____-_____

24

******************************************************

25

This

form

is

due

each

year

on

or

before

February

15.

26

The

reporting

period

is

the

most

recently

completed

27

calendar

year.

An

amended

form

shall

be

filed

if

a

28

change

in

business,

occupation,

or

profession

reported

29

in

Division

I

of

the

form

has

occurred.

The

amended

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form

shall

include

the

date

the

change

took

effect

and

1

must

be

filed

within

thirty

days

of

the

first

day

of

2

the

change

in

employment

or

engagement

necessitating

3

the

amended

form.

If

the

date

of

the

change

occurs

4

between

January

1

and

February

15,

the

change

shall

be

5

included

in

the

filing

due

February

15.

6

In

completing

Division

III

of

this

form,

if

your

7

percentage

of

ownership

of

an

asset

is

less

than

100

8

percent,

multiply

your

percentage

of

ownership

by

the

9

total

revenue

produced

to

determine

if

you

have

reached

10

the

$1,000

threshold.

11

Do

not

report

income

received

by

your

spouse

or

12

other

family

members.

13

In

completing

this

form,

if

insufficient

space

is

14

provided

for

your

answer,

you

may

attach

additional

15

information/answers

on

full-size

sheets

of

paper.

16

Division

I.

Business,

Occupation,

or

Profession.

17

List

each

business,

occupation,

or

profession

in

18

which

you

are

engaged,

the

nature

of

the

business

if

19

not

evident,

and

your

position

or

job

title.

No

income

20

threshold

or

time

requirement

applies.

21

Examples:

22

If

you

are

employed

by

an

individual,

state

the

name

23

of

the

individual

employer,

the

nature

of

the

business,

24

and

your

position.

25

If

you

are

self-employed

and

are

not

incorporated

26

or

are

not

doing

business

under

a

particular

business

27

name,

state

that

you

are

self-employed,

the

nature

of

28

the

business,

and

your

position.

29

If

you

own

your

own

corporation,

are

employed

by

a

30

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corporation,

or

are

doing

business

under

a

particular

1

business

name,

state

the

name

and

nature

of

the

2

business

or

corporation

and

your

position.

3

1_____________________________________________________

4

2_____________________________________________________

5

3_____________________________________________________

6

4_____________________________________________________

7

5_____________________________________________________

8

6_____________________________________________________

9

Division

II.

Commissions

from

Sales

of

Goods

or

10

Services

to

Political

Subdivisions.

11

This

part

is

to

be

completed

only

by

Legislators.

12

If

you

received

income

in

the

form

of

a

commission

13

from

the

sale

of

goods

or

services

to

a

political

14

subdivision,

state

the

name

of

the

purchasing

political

15

subdivision.

The

amount

of

commission

earned

is

not

16

required

to

be

listed.

17

1_____________________________________________________

18

2_____________________________________________________

19

3_____________________________________________________

20

4_____________________________________________________

21

5_____________________________________________________

22

6_____________________________________________________

23

Division

III.

Sources

of

Gross

Income.

24

In

each

one

of

the

following

categories

list

each

25

source

which

produces

more

than

$1,000

in

annual

gross

26

income,

if

the

revenue

produced

by

the

source

was

27

subject

to

federal

or

state

income

taxes

last

year.

28

List

the

nature

or

type

of

each

company,

business,

29

financial

institution,

corporation,

partnership,

or

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other

entity

which

produces

more

than

$1,000

of

annual

1

gross

income.

Neither

the

amount

of

income

produced

2

nor

value

of

the

holding

is

required

to

be

listed

in

3

any

of

the

items.

4

A.

Securities:

State

the

nature

of

the

business

of

5

any

company

in

which

you

hold

stock,

bonds,

or

other

6

pecuniary

interests

that

generate

more

than

$1,000

7

in

annual

gross

income.

Income

generated

by

multiple

8

holdings

in

a

single

company

are

deemed

received

from

a

9

single

source.

10

______________________________________________________

11

______________________________________________________

12

______________________________________________________

13

______________________________________________________

14

______________________________________________________

15

______________________________________________________

16

B.

Instruments

of

Financial

Institutions:

State

17

the

types

of

institutions

in

which

you

hold

financial

18

instruments,

such

as

certificates

of

deposit,

savings

19

accounts,

etc.,

that

produce

annual

gross

income

in

20

excess

of

$1,000,

e.g.,

banks,

savings

and

loans,

or

21

credit

unions.

22

______________________________________________________

23

______________________________________________________

24

______________________________________________________

25

______________________________________________________

26

______________________________________________________

27

______________________________________________________

28

C.

Trusts:

State

the

nature

or

type

of

any

trust

29

from

which

you

receive

more

than

$1,000

of

gross

income

30

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annually.

1

______________________________________________________

2

______________________________________________________

3

______________________________________________________

4

______________________________________________________

5

______________________________________________________

6

______________________________________________________

7

D.

Real

Estate:

State

the

general

nature

of

real

8

estate

interests

that

generate

more

than

$1,000

of

9

gross

income

annually,

e.g.,

residential

leasehold

10

interest

or

farm

leasehold

interest.

The

size

or

11

location

of

the

property

interest

is

not

required

to

be

12

listed.

13

______________________________________________________

14

______________________________________________________

15

______________________________________________________

16

______________________________________________________

17

______________________________________________________

18

______________________________________________________

19

E.

Retirement

Systems:

State

the

name

of

each

20

pension

plan

or

other

corporation

or

company

that

pays

21

you

more

than

$1,000

annually

in

retirement

benefits.

22

______________________________________________________

23

______________________________________________________

24

______________________________________________________

25

______________________________________________________

26

______________________________________________________

27

______________________________________________________

28

F.

Other

Income

Categories

Specified

in

State

and

29

Federal

Income

Tax

Regulations.

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______________________________________________________

1

______________________________________________________

2

______________________________________________________

3

______________________________________________________

4

______________________________________________________

5

_______________________________________

___________

6

(Signature

of

Filer)

(Date)

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