Iowa Administrative Code

4.8(1) Place of filing. Disclosure reports shall be filed through the board’s electronic filing system. 4.8(2) Reports made available. The board shall make available all statements and reports in an electronic format. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 68A.401 …

4.9(1) Statewide office, general assembly, judge standing for retention. A candidate’s committee for statewide office or the general assembly or a judge standing for retention shall file campaign disclosure reports as follows: a. Election year. Report due Covering period May 19 J…

resources for a political purpose pursuant to Iowa Code section 68A.505 and board interpretations of the statute. For the purposes of this chapter, the board will construe the phrase “expenditure of public moneys for political purposes” broadly to include the use of public resour…

executive branch of state government, a county, a city, a public school, or other political subdivision shall not permit public resources to be used to expressly advocate the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate or to expressly advocate the passage or defeat of a ballot…

“Ballot issue” means a question that has been approved to be placed before the voters or is otherwise required by law to be placed before the voters. “Ballot issue” does not include the nomination or election of a candidate. “Campaign” means the organized effort to expressly advo…

conduct or actions are deemed to be the prohibited use of public resources for a political purpose: 5.4(1) Using public resources to solicit or accept campaign contributions. 5.4(2) Using public resources to solicit votes, engage in campaign work, or poll voters on their preferen…

5.5(1) Expressing opinion at government meetings. Iowa Code section 68A.505 permits the state or a governing body of a county, city, public school, or other political subdivision to express an opinion on a ballot issue through the passage of a resolution or proclamation. It is al…

5.6(1) Advice requested. Public officials, public employees, or other persons interested in using public funds for a political purpose may first seek advice or guidance from the board concerning the legality of the action or conduct, including the production and distribution of a…

a violation of Iowa Code section 68A.505 or the rules of this chapter by a public official or a public employee of the executive branch or a political subdivision of state government. The procedure for filing a complaint or providing information to the board is set out in Iowa Co…

activities. Several statutes outside of the board’s jurisdiction prohibit the holders of certain government positions from being engaged in political activities. The board does not enforce these statutory prohibitions. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 68A.505.…

rules relating to ethical conduct for the executive branch of state government and other political subdivisions. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 68B.32(1) and 68B.32A(13). [ARC 0237D, IAB 4/29/26, effective 6/3/26]

6.10(1) Public officials and employees. Except for a member of a board or commission, no official or employee will receive compensation in any form, or enter into any type of agreement to receive compensation in any form, to appear on behalf of any person or otherwise render serv…

6.11(1) Definitions. For purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply: “Honorarium” means a payment of compensation or the giving of anything of value to an official or employee in relation to a speaking engagement. “Restricted donor” means the same as defined in Iowa C…

6.12(1) Definitions. For purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply: “Executive branch lobbyist” means an individual who is registered as a lobbyist with the board or is an executive branch lobbyist as defined in rule 351—8.2(68B). “Loan” means a sum of money upon agr…

“Agency of state government” or “state agency” includes any authority, board, bureau, commission, community college, department, division, office of a statewide elected official, or regents university within the executive branch of the State of Iowa. “Candidate for statewide offi…

6.3(1) Who may file. Any person may file a complaint or provide information to the board alleging a violation of Iowa Code chapter 68B or this chapter by officials, employees, and candidates for statewide office. 6.3(2) Procedure. The procedure for filing a complaint or providing…

6.4(1) Advice requested. Persons subject to the authority of the board under Iowa Code chapter 68B may first seek advice or guidance from the board concerning the legality of action or conduct potentially affected by Iowa Code chapter 68B. 6.4(2) Declaratory order. Persons may al…

6.5(1) Definitions. For purposes of Iowa Code section 68B.2B and this rule, the following definitions apply: “Employment with a second executive branch agency” includes services provided as an independent contractor with another executive branch agency. “Executive branch agency” …

6.6(1) Definition of public property. “Public property” means any real or personal property owned or controlled by the state of Iowa, including but not limited to buildings, facilities, equipment, supplies, funds, records, files, and materials. 6.6(2) Prohibited uses. The followi…

6.7(1) Prohibition. An official or employee will not sell, in any one occurrence, goods or services having a value in excess of $2,000 to a state agency unless the sale is made pursuant to an award or contract let after public notice and competitive bidding and the official or em…

6.8(1) Prohibition. An official or employee of a regulatory agency will not directly or indirectly sell or lease any goods, real estate, or services to individuals, associations, or corporations subject to the regulatory authority of the official’s or employee’s agency except as …

6.9(1) Prohibition. A permanent full-time member of the office of the governor will not directly or indirectly sell or lease any goods or services to registered lobbyists before the general assembly or the executive branch or to individuals, associations, or corporations that emp…

7.1(1) Period covered. All persons who are required to file a personal financial disclosure will file the statement with the board no later than April 30 of each year following a year during which the person holds a designated position, without regard to the length of time the po…

7.2(1) Definitions. For the purpose of completing a personal financial disclosure, “income sources” includes those sources that are held solely or jointly with one or more persons and that in total generate more than $1,000 of income. 7.2(2) Spousal income. For purposes of comple…

forms. 7.3(1) Persons required by statute. In order to determine which persons in the executive branch are required to file a personal financial disclosure, the board will contact each agency on an annual basis and provide notification of the statutory requirement. This notificat…

7.4(1) Penalties for late personal financial disclosure statements. An individual holding a designated position in the executive branch who fails to timely file a personal financial disclosure will be subject to an automatic civil penalty according to the following schedule: Days…

executive branch believes that mitigating circumstances prevented the timely filing of a personal financial disclosure, the individual may petition the board for waiver of the penalty. The petition for waiver must be received by the board within 30 days of notification to the ind…

7.6(1) Request. If the individual accepts administrative resolution concerning a late-filed personal financial disclosure through the payment of the assessed penalty, the matter will be closed. If the individual chooses to contest the board’s decision to deny the request or grant…

board’s office for transfer to the office of the treasurer of state, which will deposit the check into the general fund. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 68B.32A(9). [ARC 0238D, IAB 4/29/26, effective 6/3/26]

7.8(1) Public record. Forms filed with the board are public records and will be available for inspection and copying. 7.8(2) Internet access. Pursuant to Iowa Code section 68B.35A, the board will record filed personal financial disclosure statements on the board’s website. Filed …

8.1(1) Definitions. “Executive branch lobbying” means acting directly to encourage the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order by a state agency or any statewide elected official. For purposes of this chapter, “state agency” …

board’s office for transfer to the office of the treasurer of the state, which will deposit the check into the general fund. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 68B.32A(5) and 68B.32A(9). [ARC 0239D, IAB 4/29/26, effective 6/3/26]

8.11(1) Prohibition. Individuals who are registered in Iowa as either executive branch or legislative branch lobbyists are prohibited from contributing to, acting as an agent or intermediary for contributions to, or arranging for the making of monetary or in-kind contributions to…

8.12(1) Prohibition. An executive branch official or employee or a candidate for statewide office will not directly or indirectly seek or accept a loan from a person who is an executive branch lobbyist. 8.12(2) Offer of loan prohibited. An executive branch lobbyist will not direc…

8.13(1) Lobbying restrictions—statewide elected officials and executive or administrative heads. a. A person who serves as a statewide elected official, the executive or administrative head of an agency, or the deputy executive or administrative head of an agency will not act as …

8.14(1) False material fact. An executive branch lobbyist will not intentionally deceive or attempt to deceive any executive branch official or employee in regard to a material fact pertinent to an administrative rule, legislation, or an executive order. 8.14(2) False communicati…

whether they are considered executive branch lobbyists should contact the board for guidance prior to engaging in any executive branch lobbying. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 68B.2(13). [ARC 0239D, IAB 4/29/26, effective 6/3/26]

compensation contingent upon the outcome of executive branch lobbying services rendered or to be rendered. Complaints or information alleging a violation of this rule will be filed with the board. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 68B.2(7). [ARC 0239D, IAB 4/29…

8.4(1) Time of filing. Any individual engaging in executive branch lobbying activity will register by electronically filing an executive branch lobbyist registration statement with the chief clerk of the house of representatives or the secretary of the senate on or before the day…

8.5(1) Place of filing. Executive branch lobbyist client reports will be electronically filed with the general assembly through its website. 8.5(2) Time of filing. An executive branch lobbyist client report will be filed on or before July 31 unless the due date is extended by the…

a sponsor of a qualified function is required to file with the general assembly a registration notice prior to the function and a report within 28 days of the function. The board will deem filings with the general assembly as acceptable filings with the board. The failure of a sp…

8.7(1) Late client report. An executive branch lobbyist client that fails to file an executive branch lobbyist client report on or before the required due date will be subject to an automatic civil penalty according to the following schedule: Days Delinquent Penalty Amount 1 to 1…

are mitigating circumstances that prevented the timely filing of a report may petition the board for waiver of the penalty. The board must receive the petition for waiver within 30 days of the executive branch lobbyist’s client being notified of the civil penalty assessment. The …

8.9(1) Request. If an executive branch lobbyist client accepts administrative resolution of a matter through the payment of a civil penalty, the matter will be closed. If the person chooses to contest the board’s decision, the person will make a written request to the executive d…

9.1(1) Form. A complaint will be on forms provided by the board and will be certified under penalty of perjury. The complaint will contain all information required by Iowa Code section 68B.32B(1). The complainant may attach up to 20 pages of supporting documents to the complaint.…

9.2(1) Board-initiated investigation. In addition to investigations of legally sufficient complaints, the board may, on its own motion, refer to staff for investigation matters that the board believes may be subject to the board’s jurisdiction. 9.2(2) Subpoenas. Investigations ma…

9.3(1) Action after hearing. If it is determined after a contested case proceeding that a violation of statute or rule under the board’s jurisdiction has occurred, the board may impose any of the actions set out in Iowa Code section 68B.32D, including as a remedial action the ass…

commencement of a contested case proceeding. Negotiations will be conducted between the board’s legal counsel and any person subject to the investigation or contested case proceeding or the person’s legal representatives. A settlement will be in writing and is subject to approval…

9.5(1) Good faith definition. For purposes of Iowa Code section 68B.32A(14), “good faith” means that any statements or materials in a complaint, in information provided to the board for a possible board-initiated investigation, or provided in information during the course of a bo…

false information to the board during a board investigation of a potential violation of Iowa Code chapter 68A or 68B or rules adopted by the board will be subject to the complaint or administrative resolution process as provided under Iowa Code chapter 68B and rule 351—9.3(68B). …