68B.32 Independent ethics and campaign disclosure board — established.

1. An Iowa ethics and campaign disclosure board is established as an independent agency. The board shall administer this chapter and set standards for, investigate complaints relating to, and monitor the ethics of officials, employees, lobbyists, and candidates for office in the executive branch of state government. The board shall administer and set standards for, investigate complaints relating to, and monitor the campaign finance practices of candidates for public office. The board shall administer and establish standards for, investigate complaints relating to, and monitor the reporting of gifts and bequests under section 8.7. The board shall consist of six members and shall be balanced as to political affiliation as provided in section 69.16. The members shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate.

2. Members shall serve staggered six-year terms beginning and ending as provided in section 69.19. Any vacancy on the board shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term, within ninety days of the vacancy and in accordance with the procedures for regular appointments. A member of the board may be reappointed to serve additional terms on the board. Members may be removed in the manner provided in chapter 69.

3. The board shall annually elect one member to serve as the chairperson of the board and one member to serve as vice chairperson. The vice chairperson shall act as the chairperson in the absence or disability of the chairperson or in the event of a vacancy in that office.

4. Members of the board shall receive a per diem as specified in section 7E.6 while conducting business of the board, and payment of actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Members of the board shall file statements of financial interest under section 68B.35.

5. The board shall employ a full-time executive director who shall be the board’s chief administrative officer. The board shall employ or contract for the employment of legal counsel notwithstanding section 13.7, and any other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the board. The board’s legal counsel shall be the chief legal officer of the board and shall advise the board on all legal matters relating to the administration of this chapter and chapter 68A. The state may be represented by the board’s legal counsel in any civil action regarding the enforcement of this chapter or chapter 68A, or at the board’s request, the state may be represented by the office of the attorney general. Notwithstanding section 8A.412, all of the board’s employees, except for the executive director and legal counsel, shall be employed subject to the merit system provisions of chapter 8A, subchapter IV. The salary of the executive director shall be fixed by the board, within the range established by the general assembly. The salary of the legal counsel shall be fixed by the board, within a salary range established by the department of administrative services for a position requiring similar qualifications and experience.

92 Acts, ch 1228, §14; 93 Acts, ch 163, §14; 95 Acts, ch 198, §18; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §155, 286; 2006 Acts, ch 1035, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1191, §41

Referred to in §68A.101, 68A.102, 331.210A

Confirmation, see §2.32