House Journal: Page 279: Tuesday, February 6, 2001
29 4. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. In order for the
30 general assembly to function effectively, members of
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1 the house may be required to vote on bills and
2 participate in committee work which will affect their
3 employment and other areas in which they may have a
4 monetary interest. Action on bills and committee work
5 which furthers a member's specific employment,
6 specific investment, or other specific interest, as
7 opposed to the interests of the public in general or
8 the interests of a profession, trade, business, or
9 other class of persons, shall be avoided. In making a
10 decision relative to a member's activity on particular
11 bills or in committee work, the following factors
12 should be considered:
13 a. Whether a substantial threat to the member's
14 independence of judgment has been created by the
15 conflict situation.
16 b. The effect of the member's participation on
17 public confidence in the integrity of the general
18 assembly.
19 c. Whether the member's participation is likely to
20 have any significant effect on the disposition of the
21 matter.
22 d. The need for the member's particular
23 contribution, such as special knowledge of the subject
24 matter, to the effective functioning of the general
25 assembly.
26 If a member decides not to participate in committee
27 work or to abstain from voting because of a possible
28 conflict of interest, the member should disclose this
29 fact to the legislative body. The member shall not
30 vote on any question in which the member has an
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1 economic interest that is distinguishable from the
2 interests of the general public or a substantial class
3 of persons.
4 5. STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS. Members and employees
5 of the house shall comply with the requirements
6 contained in chapters 68B (Conflicts of Interest of
7 Public Officers and Employees), 721 (Official
8 Misconduct), and 722 (Bribery and Corruption), and
9 sections 2.18 (Contempt) and 711.4 (Extortion) of the
10 Code.
11 6. CHARGE ACCOUNTS. Members and employees of the
12 house shall not charge any amount or item to a charge
13 account to be paid for by a lobbyist or any client of
14 a lobbyist.
© 2001 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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