This bill amends Section 388.9 of the Iowa Code to allow the governing body of a city utility or combined utility system to hold closed sessions to discuss proprietary information or marketing and pricing strategies. The bill specifies that such discussions can occur if the competitive position of the utility or a third party would be harmed by public disclosure, and if that disclosure is not required of potential or actual competitors or other utilities. The minutes and recordings of these closed sessions must be made available for public examination once the competitive position is no longer at risk.

Additionally, the bill revises the definition of proprietary information to encompass not only customer records that could harm a customer's competitive position but also information related to electric transmission planning, critical energy infrastructure, electric generation capacity planning, energy markets or prices, and ownership interests in electric generating facilities. This expanded definition includes information that must be kept confidential under nondisclosure agreements or other legal provisions, thereby broadening the scope of what can be discussed in closed sessions under this law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 388.9, 21.5