The mission of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board is to promote the public's trust and confidence in government by ensuring the integrity of political campaigns, the ethical standards for officials and employees of the executive branch of state government, and the lawful conduct of executive branch lobbyists.
The Board enforces the statutes and rules under its jurisdiction, guided by the principles of fairness and consistency. This enforcement should not discourage individuals from being involved in the political process or state government. At all times the Board will seek to educate those individuals and entities that come under its jurisdiction concerning the requirements of Iowa law and will continue to embrace technological changes to better serve the public.
In order to accomplish its Mission, the Board will enforce the provisions of the Campaign Disclosure Act in Iowa Code chapter 68A, the Government Ethics and Lobbying Act in Iowa Code chapter 68B, and the Board's administrative rules in Chapter 351 of the Iowa Administrative Code.
To learn more about the Board's responsibilities and powers, click here to review Frequently Asked Questions about the Board and agency.
The Board has jurisdiction over the following:
- Administering the campaign laws in Iowa Code chapter 68A and the administrative rules in Iowa Administrative Code chapter 351 as applied to candidates for state and local office and state and local ballot issues, including permissible and impermissible financing of campaigns, receipt of reports and statements, use of campaign funds, "paid for by" attributions, and campaign signage.
- Administering the government ethics laws in Iowa Code chapter 68B and the administrative rules in Iowa Administrative Code chapter 351 as applied to candidates for statewide office and officials and employees of the executive branch of state government, including receiving reports regarding dual compensation, consents for sales/leases by regulatory agencies and the Governor's Office, and personal financial disclosure statements.
- Providing guidance to local government personnel concerning the application of the ethics laws in Iowa Code chapter 68B. The Board does not investigate complaints or impose sanctions against local government personnel; these complaints go to the county attorney where the accused resides.
- At the request of a local government body, the Board may enter into agreements with political subdivisions to enforce their adopted codes of ethics.
- The Board gives advice and enforces violations of the executive branch lobbying laws in Iowa Code chapter 68B and rules in Iowa Administrative Code chapter 351. Lobbyists' registrations, clients' reports, and session function registrations shall be filed with the Legislature.
- Receiving reports on all gifts and bequests received by an executive branch agency other than a Regents University pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 68B.
- Investigating complaints received from the Iowa Secretary of State to determine whether a county supervisor district plan adopted pursuant to Iowa Code section 331.210A was drawn for improper political reasons.