The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code to modernize the requirements for public notices and internal policies within local government entities. It mandates that all internal policies or rules must be approved by the board of supervisors or city council through an ordinance, which must include a cost analysis of the economic impacts on taxpayers and businesses, made publicly accessible on the respective official internet site. Additionally, the bill replaces the requirement for public notices to be published in newspapers with a new provision that allows for publication "as provided in chapter 618," which includes posting on official internet sites. This change aims to streamline the notification process and enhance transparency while potentially reducing costs associated with traditional newspaper publications.

Moreover, the bill introduces a statewide public notice internet site for governmental entities to post required public notices, while still allowing for print publication if deemed beneficial for constituents. It specifies that if no qualifying newspaper exists in a jurisdiction, notices can be published solely on the statewide site and the governmental entity's official site. The bill also establishes a new compensation rate for publication on the statewide site and introduces an electronic certificate of posting as proof of publication. Overall, these amendments seek to improve public access to governmental actions and decisions while ensuring that local governments maintain accountability and transparency in their operations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 331.301, 364.3, 6B.2A, 24.2A, 362.3, 24.3, 28A.5, 28A.16, 28A.21, 28J.9, 37.4, 49.11, 69.2, 73A.12, 74A.7, 75.2, 80.39, 321.89, 161A.16, 161A.45, 174.17, 257.18, 39.2, 257B.5, 260C.14, 279.35, 273.8, 273.23, 275.14, 257.6, 275.4, 275.15, 275.55, 279.36, 303.46, 303.44, 306.12, 306.11, 321.236, 330A.6, 330A.7, 330A.11, 331.207, 331.237, 44.4, 331.305, 331.385, 359.42, 331.443, 331.441, 346.27, 49.53, 349.16, 349.18, 352.7, 354.25, 357A.3, 357A.6, 357A.8, 357A.11, 357A.12, 357A.24, 357B.18, 357B.4, 357F.2, 357G.2, 357I.2, 358.40, 364.2, 368.4, 368.7, 372.13, 21.3, 373.6, 384.16, 384.24A, 384.25, 384.24, 384.84A, 384.84, 403.5, 403.8, 403.15, 403A.5, 403A.28, 419.9, 420.41, 420.214, 420.286, 423A.7, 423B.9, 423F.3, 441.7, 441.5, 441.49, 446.9, 446.18, 447.9, 455B.305A, 459.304, 468.34, 468.82, 468.257, 468.16, 618.1, 618.3A