The bill amends Section 331.755 of the Iowa Code to clarify and expand the prohibitions on actions by county attorneys regarding conflicts of interest. It specifies that a county attorney is prohibited from accepting fees for services related to prosecutions, engaging as an attorney for parties other than the state or county in related actions, and receiving assistance from other attorneys interested in civil actions tied to criminal prosecutions they handle. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions allowing a board of supervisors to obtain outside counsel with a majority vote and establishes a process for a county sheriff to petition a district court for a determination of conflict of interest if the board refuses to secure outside counsel.

The bill also outlines that if a conflict of interest is found to exist, the district court may authorize the county sheriff to retain outside counsel, with costs covered by the county unless the court determines no conflict exists, in which case the sheriff's office would bear the costs. The act is deemed of immediate importance and takes effect upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 331.755
Reprinted: 331.755