The Board does not have set regular meeting times. Meetings are held as needed throughout the year and are called either by the Board Chair or by a majority of Board members. Information about recent and any upcoming Board meetings can be found on our website.
Yes. Board meetings are open public meetings and members of the public are welcome to attend. If you are interested in attending a Board meeting but can't join us in person, our meetings are streamed live and archived on our YouTube channel.
Information about meeting locations and access are included on a meeting's agenda and posted on our website.
Board matters are civil, not criminal cases. The Board operates as a quasi-judicial body and issues penalties but can refer matters for criminal prosecution.
Certain violations of Iowa's government ethics and campaign disclosure laws may be criminal offenses. Those matters are prosecuted in district court by county attorneys.
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.
Our jurisdiction is limited to campaigns for state, county, and local offices in Iowa. Campaigns for federal office (U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and President) are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Election Commission.
Behavior can be considered unethical (such as rude, offensive, or immoral conduct) but not be a violation of the government ethics laws enforced by the Board.
Iowa's government ethics laws include but are not limited to conflicts of interest, receipt of gifts, and personal financial disclosures for certain officials and employees.
Board members receive a per diem and mileage reimbursement if they travel to attend a Board meeting. Otherwise, Board members do not receive compensation for their service.
- The Board does not have the authority to enforce campaign laws on candidates for federal office (U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, President) or for office in other states.
- The Board does not have jurisdiction to enforce the government ethics laws in Iowa Code chapter 68B on officials or employees of the Legislative or Judicial Branches of state government or local government personnel.
- Iowa Code chapter 68B only covers specific areas of ethics. The Board does not have the authority to look into general matters that may be considered unethical because they are rude, offensive, or immoral.
- Complaints against attorneys for misconduct are handled by the Iowa Judicial Branch's Attorney Disciplinary Board.
- Complaints concerning Iowa's open meetings and public records laws fall under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Public Information Board .
- General complaints against Iowa state and local government officials, employees, and agencies, contact the Iowa Office of Ombudsman.