reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2A - LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY › Section 2A.2 - Director — duties.

2A.2 Director — duties.
1. The administrative head of the legislative services agency shall be the director appointed by the legislative council as provided in section 2.42. The salary of the director shall be set by the legislative council.
2. The director shall do all of the following:
a. Employ persons with expertise to perform the legal, fiscal, technical, and other functions which are required to be performed by the legislative services agency by this chapter or are assigned to the legislative services agency by the legislative council or the general assembly.
b. Supervise all employees of the legislative services agency, including the legal counsel designated to provide legal assistance to the administrative rules review committee, and supervise any outside service providers retained by the legislative services agency.
c. Supervise all expenditures of the agency.
d. Supervise the legal and fiscal analysis and legal publication functions of the agency.
e. Supervise the government oversight and program evaluation functions of the agency.
f. Supervise the committee staffing functions of the agency.
g. Supervise the computer systems services functions of the agency.
h. Supervise the legislative and library information, legislative visitor protocol, and capitol tour guide functions of the agency.
i. Perform other functions as assigned to the director by the legislative council or the general assembly.
2003 Acts, ch 35, §2, 49
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2A - LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY › Section 2A.6 - Special distribution of legal publications.

2A.6 Special distribution of legal publications.
1. The legislative services agency shall make available electronic or printed versions of the official legal publications listed in section 2A.5, to the three branches of state government, to elected county officers, to county and city assessors, to Iowa’s congressional delegation, to federal courts in Iowa and federal judges and magistrates for Iowa, and to state and university depository libraries, the library of Congress, and the library of the United States supreme court.
2. The legislative services agency may review the publication costs and offsetting sales revenues relating to legal publications in electronic and printed formats. If a legal publication is available in an electronic version, the legislative services agency may provide the version free of charge or may charge a fee for any mailing or handling costs in the distribution of the electronic version or may charge a fee for an electronic version which includes programming not originally part of the stored information, including but not limited to search and retrieval functions. The legislative services agency shall establish policies requiring payment for any printed versions of the official legal publications from persons to whom the legislative services agency is obligated to make the legal publications available pursuant to subsection 1.
2003 Acts, ch 35, §6, 49; 2010 Acts, ch 1031, §31
See also §256.53
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.1 - Iowa Code and administrative code editors.

2B.1 Iowa Code and administrative code editors.
1. The director of the legislative services agency shall appoint the Iowa Code editor and the administrative code editor, subject to the approval of the legislative council, as provided in section 2.42. The Iowa Code editor and the administrative code editor shall serve at the pleasure of the director of the legislative services agency.
2. The Iowa Code and administrative code editors are responsible for the editing, compiling, and proofreading of the publications they prepare, as provided in this chapter. The Iowa Code editor is entitled to the temporary possession of the original enrolled Acts and resolutions as necessary to prepare them for publication.
[C51, §46; R60, §62, 113, 115, 144; C73, §35, 155, 156; C97, p. 5, §38, 216; S13, p. 3; SS15, §224-c, -h; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §156; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §14.3; C71, §14.5; C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §14.1]
91 Acts, ch 258, §8
C93, §2B.1
98 Acts, ch 1119, §13; 98 Acts, ch 1164, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 35, §13, 49
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.5 - Duties of administrative code editor.

2B.5 Duties of administrative code editor.
The administrative code editor shall do all of the following:
1. Supervise the publication of the Iowa administrative bulletin and the Iowa administrative code as provided in section 2B.5A.
2. Notify the administrative rules coordinator if a rule is not in proper style or form.
3. Perform other duties as directed by the director of the legislative services agency, the legislative council, or the administrative rules review committee and as provided by law.
91 Acts, ch 258, §9
CS91, §14.5
C93, §2B.5
98 Acts, ch 1115, §1, 21; 2003 Acts, ch 35, §14, 49; 2005 Acts, ch 19, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1031, §32, 33; 2014 Acts, ch 1141, §34; 2019 Acts, ch 92, §11
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.5B - Iowa court rules.

2B.5B Iowa court rules.
1. The legislative services agency shall control and maintain in a secure electronic repository custodial information used to produce the Iowa court rules.
2. The legislative services agency, upon direction by the Iowa supreme court and in accordance with the policies of the legislative council pursuant to section 2.42, shall prescribe a uniform style and form required for filing a document for publication in the Iowa court rules. The document shall correlate each rule to the uniform numbering system. The legislative services agency shall provide for the publication of an electronic version of the Iowa court rules. The legislative services agency shall review all submitted documents for style and form and notify the Iowa supreme court if a rulemaking document is not in proper style or form, and may return or revise a document which is not in proper style and form.
3. a. The legislative services agency shall publish the Iowa court rules in accordance with section 2.42. However, the legislative services agency may publish supplements in lieu of the Iowa court rules. The legislative services agency shall provide for arrangement of the Iowa court rules in consultation with the Iowa supreme court.
b. The Iowa court rules shall include all of the following:
(1) Rules prescribed by the supreme court, which may include the Iowa rules of civil procedure, the Iowa rules of criminal procedure, the Iowa rules of evidence, the Iowa rules of appellate procedure, the Iowa rules of professional conduct, and the Iowa code of judicial conduct.
(2) A comprehensive method to search and identify its contents, including court rules.
(a) An electronic version may include search and retrieval programming and index.
(b) A print version may include an index.
c. The Iowa court rules may include all of the following:
(1) A preface.
(2) Tables, including tables of corresponding rule numbers.
2010 Acts, ch 1031, §35; 2014 Acts, ch 1141, §37, 38; 2019 Acts, ch 92, §12, 13
Referred to in §602.1206, 602.4201
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.6 - Duties of Iowa Code editor.

2B.6 Duties of Iowa Code editor.
The Iowa Code editor shall:
1. Submit recommendations as the Iowa Code editor deems proper to each general assembly for the purpose of amending, revising, codifying, and repealing portions of the statutes which are inaccurate, inconsistent, outdated, conflicting, redundant, or ambiguous, and present the recommendations in bill form to the appropriate committees of the general assembly.
2. Provide for the publication of all of the following:
a. The Iowa Acts as provided in section 2B.10.
b. The Iowa Code as provided in section 2B.12.
3. Perform other duties as directed by the director of the legislative services agency or the legislative council and as provided by law.
[C51, §46; R60, §62, 113, 115, 144; C73, §35, 155, 156; C97, p. 5, §38, 216; S13, p. 3; SS15, §224-c, -h; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §156; C46, 50, 54, §14.3; C54, 58, 62, 66, §14.3, 17A.9; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §14.6; 82 Acts, ch 1061, §1]
91 Acts, ch 258, §10
C93, §2B.6
2003 Acts, ch 35, §15, 49; 2010 Acts, ch 1031, §36; 2014 Acts, ch 1141, §39
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.10 - Iowa Acts.

2B.10 Iowa Acts.
1. The legislative services agency shall control and maintain in a secure electronic repository custodial information used to produce the Iowa Acts.
2. The legislative services agency shall publish the annual edition of the Iowa Acts as soon as possible after the final adjournment of a regular session of the general assembly. The legislative services agency may also publish an updated edition of the Iowa Acts or a supplement to the Iowa Acts after a special session of the general assembly.
3. a. The arrangement, appearance, and contents of the Iowa Acts shall be determined by the Iowa Code editor in accordance with the policies of the legislative council and legislative services agency as provided in section 2.42.
b. The bills and joint resolutions of the Iowa Acts may be arranged by chapter, numbered from one for the first regular session and numbered from one thousand one for the second regular session.
4. The Iowa Acts shall include all of the following:
a. A preface.
b. A table of contents.
c. A list of elective state officers and deputies, supreme court justices, judges of the court of appeals, members of the general assembly, and members of Iowa’s congressional delegation.
d. A statement of the condition of the state treasury as provided by
Article III, section 18, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa
. The statement shall be furnished to the legislative services agency by the director of the department of administrative services.
e. An analysis of its chapters.
f. The text of bills that have been enacted and joint resolutions that have been enacted or passed by the general assembly, including text indicating items disapproved in appropriation bills.
g. Messages transmitted by the governor disapproving items in appropriation bills.
h. A notation of the filing of an estimate of a state mandate prepared by the legislative services agency pursuant to section 25B.5.
i. Tables, including any analysis of tables.
j. A comprehensive method to search and identify its contents, including the text of bills that have been enacted and joint resolutions that have been enacted or passed by the general assembly.
(1) An electronic version may include search and retrieval programming and an index and a summary index.
(2) A print version may include an index and a summary index.
k. Other reference material as determined by the Iowa Code editor in accordance with any policies of the legislative council.
5. The enrolling clerks of the house and senate shall arrange for the Iowa Code editor to receive suitable copies of all Acts and resolutions as soon as they are enrolled.
[C73, §36; C97, §39; SS15, §224-i; C24, 27, 31, 35, §162, 162-d1, 163, 164, 165, 167; C39, §221.1 – 221.5; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §14.10]
83 Acts, ch 186, §10004, 10201; 91 Acts, ch 258, §11; 92 Acts, ch 1123, §3
C93, §2B.10
98 Acts, ch 1115, §2, 21; 2003 Acts, ch 35, §16, 45, 49; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286; 2004 Acts, ch 1086, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1031, §37
Referred to in §2B.6
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.17A - Official legal publications — publication dates.

2B.17A Official legal publications — publication dates.
1. An edition of an official legal publication becomes effective on its publication date. A publication date is the date that an edition of a legal publication is conclusively presumed to be complete, incorporating all revisions or editorial changes. Nothing in this section affects an effective date of a codified or uncodified provision of law, including but not limited to as provided in
Article III, section 26, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa
, or section 3.7.
2. If not otherwise established by statute or a policy of the legislative council pursuant to section 2.42, the legislative services agency shall establish a publication date for each edition of a print or electronic version of an official legal publication as cited in section 2B.17. The publication date may be based on the date that the edition of an official legal publication is first made available to the public accessing the general assembly’s internet site. The publication date may also be the first date that an edition of a print version of an official legal publication is first made available for public distribution. If the legislative services agency does not provide a publication date for the Iowa Code, the publication date shall be the first day of the next regular session of the general assembly convened pursuant to
Article III, section 2, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa
. Otherwise, the legislative services agency shall provide public notice of a publication date for each edition of an official legal publication on the general assembly’s internet site.
3. A legal publication designated by the legislative services agency as unofficial shall not be used to establish a publication date for an official legal publication.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §17
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.18 - Iowa Code, Iowa administrative code, and Iowa court rules — custody and authentication.

2B.18 Iowa Code, Iowa administrative code, and Iowa court rules — custody and authentication.
1. The Iowa Code editor is the custodian of the official legal publications known as the Iowa Acts, Iowa Code, and Code Supplement for supplements to the Iowa Code for the years 1979 through 2011, and for any other supplements to the Iowa Code. The Iowa Code editor may attest to and authenticate any portion of such official legal publication for purposes of admitting a portion of the official legal publication in any court or office of any state, territory, or possession of the United States or in a foreign jurisdiction.
2. The administrative code editor is the custodian of the official legal publications known as the Iowa administrative bulletin and the Iowa administrative code. The administrative code editor may attest to and authenticate any portion of such official legal publication for purposes of admitting a portion of the official legal publication in any court or office of any state, territory, or possession of the United States or in a foreign jurisdiction.
3. The legislative services agency, upon direction by the Iowa supreme court and in accordance with the policies of the legislative council pursuant to section 2.42 and the legislative services agency pursuant to section 2A.1, shall provide a process to attest to and authenticate any portion of Iowa court rules.
2010 Acts, ch 1031, §50; 2014 Acts, ch 1141, §50; 2019 Acts, ch 92, §18, 19
Referred to in §2B.35
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.21 - Availability of parts of the Iowa Code and administrative code.

2B.21 Availability of parts of the Iowa Code and administrative code.
The Iowa Code editor and the administrative code editor, in accordance with policies established by the legislative council, may cause parts of the Iowa Code or administrative code to be made available for the use of public officers and other persons. This authority shall be exercised in a manner planned to avoid delay in the other publications of the editors.
[C97, p. 5; S13, p. 3; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §176; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §14.21]
83 Acts, ch 181, §1; 85 Acts, ch 197, §2; 86 Acts, ch 1238, §1; 91 Acts, ch 258, §15
C93, §2B.21
2003 Acts, ch 35, §20, 49
See also §7A.27
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.22 - Appropriation.

2B.22 Appropriation.
There is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated an amount sufficient to defray all expenses incurred in the carrying out of the provisions of this chapter.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §177; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §14.22]
C93, §2B.22
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.32 - Definitions.

2B.32 Definitions.
As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. “Electronic” means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.
2. “Legal material” means an edition, including any part of that edition of the following legal publications as cited in section 2B.17, whether or not in effect:
a. The Constitution of the State of Iowa.
b. The Iowa Acts.
c. The Iowa Code.
d. The Iowa administrative bulletin.
e. The Iowa administrative code.
3. “Publish” means to display, present, or release to the public, or cause to be displayed, presented, or released to the public by the legislative services agency.
4. “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form, including printed and electronic versions of legal publications.
5. “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §2
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.33 - Applicability.

2B.33 Applicability.
1. This subchapter applies to all legal material in an electronic record that is designated as official under the applicable provisions of section 2.42, chapter 2A, and this chapter and which is first published electronically on or after January 16, 2020.
2. This subchapter applies to electronic records that are publicly available by accessing the general assembly’s internet site.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §3
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.34 - Legal material in official electronic record.

2B.34 Legal material in official electronic record.
1. If the legislative services agency publishes legal material only in an electronic record, the legislative services agency shall do all of the following:
a. Designate the electronic record as official.
b. Comply with the applicable provisions of section 2.42, chapter 2A, and this chapter.
2. If the legislative services agency publishes legal material in an electronic record and also publishes the legal material in a record other than an electronic record, the legislative services agency may designate the electronic record as official if the electronic record complies with the applicable provisions of section 2.42, chapter 2A, and this chapter.
3. Except as provided in subsection 1, the legislative services agency may designate an electronic record as unofficial.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §4
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.35 - Authentication of official electronic record.

2B.35 Authentication of official electronic record.
1. The legislative services agency in publishing legal material in an electronic record that is designated as official under the applicable provisions of section 2.42, chapter 2A, and this chapter shall authenticate the electronic record. To authenticate an electronic record, the legislative services agency shall provide a method for a user to determine that the record received by the user from the legislative services agency is unaltered from the official record published by the legislative services agency.
2. Subsection 1 does not affect any other process to authenticate legal material under section 2B.18 or any other authentication process adopted by the legislative council or the legislative services agency.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §5
Referred to in §2B.36
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.36 - Effect of authentication.

2B.36 Effect of authentication.
1. Legal material in an electronic record that is authenticated under section 2B.35 is presumed to be an accurate copy of the legal material.
2. If another state has adopted a law substantially similar to this subchapter, legal material in an electronic record that is designated as official and authenticated by the official publisher in that state is presumed to be an accurate copy of the legal material.
3. A party contesting the authentication of legal material in an electronic record authenticated under section 2B.35 has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the electronic record is not authentic.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §6
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.37 - Preservation and security of legal material in official electronic record.

2B.37 Preservation and security of legal material in official electronic record.
1. The legislative services agency in maintaining custodial information as provided in subchapter I and that is or was designated as official under the applicable provisions of section 2.42, chapter 2A, and this chapter shall provide for the preservation and security of the record in an electronic form or a form that is not electronic.
2. If legal material is preserved under subsection 1 in an electronic record, the legislative services agency shall do all of the following:
a. Ensure the integrity of the record.
b. Provide for backup and disaster recovery of the record.
c. Ensure the continuing usability of the legal material.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §7
Referred to in §2B.38
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.38 - Public access to legal material in official electronic record.

2B.38 Public access to legal material in official electronic record.
The legislative services agency, in preserving legal material in an electronic record as required under section 2B.37, shall ensure that the legal material is reasonably available for use by the public on a permanent basis.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §8
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.39 - Standards.

2B.39 Standards.
1. In implementing this subchapter, the legislative services agency may consider any of the following:
a. The most recent standards regarding authentication of, preservation and security of, and public access to, legal material in an electronic record and other electronic records, as promulgated by national standard-setting bodies.
b. The needs of users of legal material in an electronic record.
c. The views of governmental officials and entities and other interested persons.
d. To the extent practicable, methods and technologies for the authentication of, preservation and security of, and public access to, legal material which are compatible with the methods and technologies used by other official publishers in other states that have adopted a law substantially similar to this subchapter.
2. The provisions of this subchapter shall be implemented when the legislative council approves a plan presented by the legislative services agency. The plan shall provide for the implementation of this subchapter in a manner that best benefits users of the general assembly’s internet site on a reliable, long-term, and cost-effective basis, and which may include a budget estimate necessary to complete implementation. The legislative services agency may request the legislative council to approve a policy for the use of an account in which receipts from the revenue from distributions of publications credited to the account may be expended by the legislative services agency on a multiyear revolving basis, so long as such revenue is used exclusively to pay for costs associated with implementing the provisions of this subchapter as well as ordinary expenditures associated with producing and distributing printed and electronic versions of publications including as provided in section 2.42, chapter 2A, and this chapter. However, if the legislative services agency determines that it may fully implement this subchapter without preparing a detailed plan for approval by the legislative council, it shall prepare and submit a report to the legislative council describing the implementation.
3. This section shall be implemented on July 1, 2019.
2019 Acts, ch 92, §9
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2B - LEGAL PUBLICATIONS › Section 2B.40 - Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

2B.40 Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
This subchapter modifies, limits, or supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. §7001 et seq., but does not modify, limit, or supersede section 101(c) of that Act, 15 U.S.C. §7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103(b) of that Act, 15 U.S.C. §7003(b).
2019 Acts, ch 92, §10
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.1 - Definitions.

2C.1 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
1. “Administrative action” means any policy or action taken by an agency or failure to act pursuant to law.
2. “Agency” means all governmental entities, departments, boards, commissions, councils or institutions, and any officer, employee or member thereof acting or purporting to act in the exercise of official duties, but it does not include:
a. Any court or judge or appurtenant judicial staff.
b. The members, committees, or permanent or temporary staffs of the Iowa general assembly.
c. The governor of Iowa or the governor’s personal staff.
d. Any instrumentality formed pursuant to an interstate compact and answerable to more than one state.
3. “Employee” means any employee of an agency.
4. “Officer” means any officer of an agency.
5. “Person” means an individual, aggregate of individuals, corporation, partnership, or unincorporated association.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.1]
C93, §2C.1
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.3 - Appointment — vacancy.

2C.3 Appointment — vacancy.
1. The ombudsman shall be appointed by the legislative council with the approval and confirmation of a constitutional majority of the senate and with the approval and confirmation of a constitutional majority of the house of representatives. The legislative council shall fill a vacancy in this office in the same manner as the original appointment. If the appointment or vacancy occurs while the general assembly is not in session, such appointment shall be reported to the senate and the house of representatives within thirty days of their convening at their next regular session for approval and confirmation.
2. The ombudsman shall employ and supervise all employees under the ombudsman’s direction in such positions and at such salaries as shall be authorized by the legislative council. The legislative council shall hear and act upon appeals of aggrieved employees of the office of ombudsman.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.3]
C93, §2C.3
2013 Acts, ch 10, §4; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §47
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.4 - Citizen of United States and resident of Iowa.

2C.4 Citizen of United States and resident of Iowa.
The ombudsman shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the state of Iowa, and shall be qualified to analyze problems of law, administration, and public policy.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.4]
C93, §2C.4
2013 Acts, ch 10, §5
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.5 - Term — removal.

2C.5 Term — removal.
The ombudsman shall hold office for four years from the first day in July of the year of approval by the senate and the house of representatives, and until a successor is appointed by the legislative council, unless the ombudsman can no longer perform the official duties, or is removed from office. The ombudsman may at any time be removed from office by constitutional majority vote of the two houses of the general assembly or as provided by chapter 66. If a vacancy occurs in the office of ombudsman, the deputy ombudsman shall act as ombudsman until the vacancy is filled by the legislative council.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.5]
C93, §2C.5
2013 Acts, ch 10, §6
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.6 - Deputy — assistant for penal agencies.

2C.6 Deputy — assistant for penal agencies.
1. The ombudsman shall designate one of the members of the staff as the deputy ombudsman, with authority to act as ombudsman when the ombudsman is absent from the state or becomes disabled. The ombudsman may delegate to members of the staff any of the authority or duties of the office except the duty of formally making recommendations to agencies or reports to the governor or the general assembly.
2. The ombudsman shall appoint an assistant who shall be primarily responsible for investigating complaints relating to penal or correctional agencies.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.6]
84 Acts, ch 1046, §1
C93, §2C.6
2013 Acts, ch 10, §7
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.7 - Prohibited activities.

2C.7 Prohibited activities.
Neither the ombudsman nor any member of the staff shall:
1. Hold another public office of trust or profit under the laws of this state other than notary public as provided in chapter 9B.
2. Engage in other employment for remuneration with an agency against which a complaint may be filed under this chapter or that could create a conflict of interest or interfere in the performance of the person’s duties under this chapter.
3. Knowingly engage in or maintain any business transactions with persons employed by agencies against whom complaints may be made under the provisions of this chapter.
4. Be actively involved in partisan affairs.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.7]
84 Acts, ch 1046, §2
C93, §2C.7
2012 Acts, ch 1050, §31, 60; 2013 Acts, ch 10, §8
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.8 - Closed files.

2C.8 Closed files.
The ombudsman may maintain secrecy in respect to all matters including the identities of the complainants or witnesses coming before the ombudsman, except that the general assembly, any standing committee of the general assembly or the governor may require disclosure of any matter and shall have complete access to the records and files of the ombudsman. The ombudsman may conduct private hearings.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.8]
C93, §2C.8
2013 Acts, ch 10, §9
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.10 - No charge for services.

2C.10 No charge for services.
A monetary charge or other charge shall not be levied upon any person as a prerequisite to presentation of a complaint to the ombudsman.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.10]
C93, §2C.10
2013 Acts, ch 10, §11
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.11 - Subjects for investigations.

2C.11 Subjects for investigations.
1. An appropriate subject for investigation by the office of ombudsman is an administrative action that might be:
a. Contrary to law or regulation.
b. Unreasonable, unfair, oppressive, or inconsistent with the general course of an agency’s functioning, even though in accordance with law.
c. Based on a mistake of law or arbitrary in ascertainments of fact.
d. Based on improper motivation or irrelevant consideration.
e. Unaccompanied by an adequate statement of reasons.
2. The ombudsman may also be concerned with strengthening procedures and practices which lessen the risk that objectionable administrative actions will occur.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.11]
C93, §2C.11
2007 Acts, ch 126, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 10, §12; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §49
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.11A - Subjects for investigations — disclosures of information.

2C.11A Subjects for investigations — disclosures of information.
The office of ombudsman shall investigate a complaint filed by an employee who is not a merit system employee or an employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement and who alleges that adverse employment action has been taken against the employee in violation of section 70A.28, subsection 2. A complaint filed pursuant to this section shall be made within thirty calendar days following the effective date of the adverse employment action. The ombudsman shall investigate the matter and shall issue findings relative to the complaint in an expeditious manner.
2006 Acts, ch 1153, §13; 2013 Acts, ch 10, §13
Referred to in §70A.28
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.12 - Complaints investigated.

2C.12 Complaints investigated.
1. The ombudsman may receive a complaint from any source concerning an administrative action. The ombudsman shall conduct a suitable investigation into the administrative actions complained of unless the ombudsman finds substantiating facts that:
a. The complainant has available another remedy or channel of complaint which the complainant could reasonably be expected to use.
b. The grievance pertains to a matter outside the ombudsman’s power.
c. The complainant has no substantive or procedural interest which is directly affected by the matter complained about.
d. The complaint is trivial, frivolous, vexatious, or not made in good faith.
e. Other complaints are more worthy of attention.
f. The ombudsman’s resources are insufficient for adequate investigation.
g. The complaint has been delayed too long to justify present examination of its merit.
2. The ombudsman may decline to investigate a complaint, but shall not be prohibited from inquiring into the matter complained about or into related problems at some future time.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.12]
C93, §2C.12
2008 Acts, ch 1032, §201; 2013 Acts, ch 10, §14
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.13 - No investigation — notice to complainant.

2C.13 No investigation — notice to complainant.
If the ombudsman decides not to investigate, the complainant shall be informed of the reasons for the decision. If the ombudsman decides to investigate, the complainant and the agency shall be notified of the decision. After completing consideration of a complaint, whether or not it has been investigated, the ombudsman shall without delay inform the complainant of the fact, and if appropriate, shall inform the agency involved. The ombudsman shall on request of the complainant, and as appropriate, report the status of the investigation to the complainant.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.13; 82 Acts, ch 1026, §2]
C93, §2C.13
2005 Acts, ch 19, §4; 2013 Acts, ch 10, §15
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.14 - Institutionalized complainants.

2C.14 Institutionalized complainants.
A letter to the ombudsman from a person in a correctional institution, a hospital, or other institution under the control of an agency shall be immediately forwarded, unopened, to the ombudsman by the institution where the writer of the letter is a resident. A letter from the ombudsman to such a person shall be immediately delivered, unopened, to the person.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.14]
C93, §2C.14
2005 Acts, ch 19, §5; 2013 Acts, ch 10, §16
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.15 - Reports critical of agency or officer.

2C.15 Reports critical of agency or officer.
Before announcing a conclusion or recommendation that criticizes an agency or any officer or employee, the ombudsman shall consult with that agency, officer, or employee and shall attach to every report sent or made under the provisions of this chapter a copy of any unedited comments made by or on behalf of the officer, employee, or agency.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.15]
C93, §2C.15
2013 Acts, ch 10, §17
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.16 - Recommendations to agency.

2C.16 Recommendations to agency.
1. The ombudsman shall state recommendations to an agency, if, after having considered a complaint and whatever material the ombudsman deems pertinent, the ombudsman finds substantiating facts for any of the following:
a. A matter should be further considered by the agency.
b. An administrative action should be modified or canceled.
c. A rule on which an administrative action is based should be altered.
d. Reasons should be given for an administrative action.
e. Any other action should be taken by the agency.
2. If the ombudsman requests, the agency shall, within twenty working days notify the ombudsman of any action taken on the recommendations or the reasons for not complying with them.
3. If the ombudsman believes that a law resulted in an administrative action which is unfair or otherwise objectionable, the ombudsman shall notify the general assembly concerning desirable statutory change.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.16]
C93, §2C.16
2008 Acts, ch 1031, §3; 2013 Acts, ch 10, §18; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §1
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.17 - Publication of conclusions.

2C.17 Publication of conclusions.
1. The ombudsman may publish the conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions and transmit them to the governor or the general assembly or any of its committees. When publishing an opinion adverse to an agency or official the ombudsman shall, unless excused by the agency or official affected, include with the opinion any unedited reply made by the agency.
2. Any conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions so published may at the same time be made available to the news media or others who may be concerned.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.17]
C93, §2C.17
2005 Acts, ch 19, §6; 2013 Acts, ch 10, §19
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.18 - Report to general assembly.

2C.18 Report to general assembly.
The ombudsman shall by December 31 of each year submit an economically designed and reproduced report to the general assembly and to the governor concerning the exercise of the ombudsman’s functions during the preceding fiscal year. In discussing matters with which the ombudsman has been concerned, the ombudsman shall not identify specific persons if to do so would cause needless hardship. If the annual report criticizes a named agency or official, it shall also include unedited replies made by the agency or official to the criticism, unless excused by the agency or official affected.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.18; 82 Acts, ch 1026, §3]
C93, §2C.18
2013 Acts, ch 10, §20; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §50; 2019 Acts, ch 89, §6
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.19 - Disciplinary action recommended.

2C.19 Disciplinary action recommended.
If the ombudsman believes that any public official, employee or other person has acted in a manner warranting criminal or disciplinary proceedings, the ombudsman shall refer the matter to the appropriate authorities.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.19]
C93, §2C.19
2013 Acts, ch 10, §21
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.20 - Immunities.

2C.20 Immunities.
No civil action, except removal from office as provided in chapter 66, or proceeding shall be commenced against the ombudsman or any member of the staff for any act or omission performed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter unless the act or omission is actuated by malice or is grossly negligent, nor shall the ombudsman or any member of the staff be compelled to testify in any court with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the ombudsman’s official duties except as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.20]
C93, §2C.20
2013 Acts, ch 10, §22
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.21 - Witnesses.

2C.21 Witnesses.
A person required by the ombudsman to provide information shall be paid the same fees and travel allowances as are extended to witnesses whose attendance has been required in the district courts of this state. Officers and employees of an agency shall not be entitled to such fees and allowances. A person who, with or without service of compulsory process, provides oral or documentary information requested by the ombudsman shall be accorded the same privileges and immunities as are extended to witnesses in the courts of this state, and shall also be entitled to be accompanied and advised by counsel while being questioned.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.21]
C93, §2C.21
2013 Acts, ch 10, §23
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.22 - Penalties.

2C.22 Penalties.
A person who willfully obstructs or hinders the lawful actions of the ombudsman or the ombudsman’s staff, or who willfully misleads or attempts to mislead the ombudsman in the ombudsman’s inquiries, shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.22]
C93, §2C.22
2013 Acts, ch 10, §24
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2C - OMBUDSMAN › Section 2C.23 - Citation.

2C.23 Citation.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Iowa Ombudsman Act”.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §601G.23]
C93, §2C.23
2013 Acts, ch 10, §25
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2D - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS › Section 2D.2 - International relations committee — protocol.

2D.2 International relations committee — protocol.
1. The international relations committee of the legislative council shall establish and utilize protocol for visitors to the capitol, who may include state, national, or international visitors. The protocol established shall include provisions relating to transportation of visitors to and from the capitol, the designation of an official point of entry and a receiving area for visitors, security provisions, official introduction of visitors to the general assembly while the general assembly is in session, the provision of gifts to visitors, and other provisions appropriate to the visitor’s position.
2. The international relations committee shall work with the executive branch protocol officer and with the legislative branch protocol officer in developing the protocol and in coordinating the visits of state, national, and international visitors to the capitol.
2000 Acts, ch 1102, §2
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2D - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS › Section 2D.3 - Legislative branch protocol officer.

2D.3 Legislative branch protocol officer.
The legislative services agency shall employ a legislative branch protocol officer to coordinate activities related to state, national, and international visitors to the state capitol or with an interest in the general assembly, and related to travel of members of the general assembly abroad. The protocol officer shall work with the executive branch protocol officer to coordinate state, national, and international relations activities. The legislative branch protocol officer shall submit periodic reports to the international relations committee of the legislative council regarding the visits of state, national, and international visitors and regarding international activities.
2000 Acts, ch 1102, §3; 2000 Acts, ch 1232, §41; 2003 Acts, ch 35, §44, 49; 2008 Acts, ch 1156, §4, 58
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 2D - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS › Section 2D.4 - Executive branch protocol officer.

2D.4 Executive branch protocol officer.
The lieutenant governor, or the lieutenant governor’s designee, shall be the executive branch protocol officer. The protocol officer shall work with the international relations committee of the legislative council and the legislative branch protocol officer in developing and implementing protocol for state, national, and international visitors to the state capitol and in improving coordination between the legislative and executive branches in international relations activities.
2000 Acts, ch 1102, §4; 2008 Acts, ch 1156, §5, 58
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 3 - STATUTES AND RELATED MATTERS › Section 3.1 - Form of bills.

3.1 Form of bills.
1. Bills designed to amend, revise, enact, codify, or repeal a law:
a. Shall refer to the numbers of the sections or chapters of the Code to be amended or repealed, but it is not necessary to refer to the sections or chapters in the title.
b. Shall refer to the session of the general assembly and the sections and chapters of the Acts to be amended if the bill relates to a section or sections of an Act not appearing in the Code.
c. Shall express all references to statutes in numerals.
2. The title to a bill shall contain a brief statement of the purpose of the bill, however all detail matters properly connected with the subject so expressed may be omitted from the title.
[C73, §38; C97, §41; S13, §41-a, -b; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §47; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §3.1]
84 Acts, ch 1067, §2; 90 Acts, ch 1168, §2; 2004 Acts, ch 1101, §2; 2008 Acts, ch 1031, §4; 2014 Acts, ch 1141, §51
Publication of bills, §2.9
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 3 - STATUTES AND RELATED MATTERS › Section 3.2 - Bill drafting instructions.

3.2 Bill drafting instructions.
The legislative council shall, in consultation with the director of the legislative services agency and the Code editor, promulgate rules and instructions for the drafting of legislative bills and resolutions not otherwise in conflict with the provisions of law and the rules of the senate and the house.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §3.2]
2003 Acts, ch 35, §44, 49
2023 Iowa Code › Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT › Chapter 3 - STATUTES AND RELATED MATTERS › Section 3.3 - Headnotes and historical references.

3.3 Headnotes and historical references.
1. Proper headnotes may be placed at the beginning of a section of a bill or at the beginning of a Code section or Code section subunit. However, except as provided for the uniform commercial code pursuant to section 554.1107, headnotes shall not be considered as part of the law as enacted.
2. At the end of a Code section there may be placed a reference to the section number of the Code, or any Iowa Act from which the matter of the Code section was taken. Historical references shall not be considered as a part of the law as enacted.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §49; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §3.3]
2004 Acts, ch 1086, §3; 2005 Acts, ch 19, §7; 2007 Acts, ch 41, §40; 2008 Acts, ch 1031, §5; 2014 Acts, ch 1141, §52
Referred to in §2B.13