This bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code related to city civil service employees and their governance. It prohibits cities with a civil service commission from establishing any citizen review boards for the conduct of officers. Additionally, it changes the requirements for the number of civil service commissioners in larger cities, mandating that cities with populations over 50,000 must have between five and seven commissioners, as opposed to the previous minimum of three for cities over 70,000. The bill also introduces new standards for the removal, discharge, demotion, or suspension of civil service employees, emphasizing that such actions must be based on just cause and supported by a preponderance of evidence.

Furthermore, the bill outlines new procedures for appeals of disciplinary actions to the civil service commission and subsequently to the district court, including the establishment of a burden of proof for the city and the potential for awarding attorney fees and costs to employees who prevail in their appeals. It also includes provisions for the production of evidence and the exchange of exhibits prior to trials. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 364.3, 80F.1, 400.18, 400.8A, 400.24, 400.27