HOUSE FILE 68

BY  ISENHART and GASKILL

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to access to residential buildings or communities for campaign purposes, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  68A.407  Campaign access to residential properties.
   1.  A candidate, a representative of a candidate, an individual expressly advocating the passage or defeat on a ballot issue, or an individual encouraging people to vote, to register to vote, or to sign a petition addressing a matter of government, shall not be denied access to the general common elements, as defined in section 499B.2, of a residential building with two or more dwelling units, or any of the following types of residential communities:
   a.  A residential community where access is restricted by means of a door, gate, or other type of barrier which is monitored and controlled by a specific individual.
   b.  A residential community where access is not restricted but the streets and walkways are privately owned.
   2.  The granting of this right shall not be construed to require any individual to facilitate or aid in such access where access otherwise may be controlled for security reasons.
EXPLANATION
   This bill prohibits denying access to the general common elements of an unsecured residential building with two or more dwelling units, to any other type of residential community where access is restricted by means of a door, gate, or other type of barrier which is monitored and controlled by a specific individual, or to a residential community where the streets and walkways are privately owned, to persons who wish to contact the residents for campaign or other election-related purposes.
   As provided in Code section 68A.701, a willful violation of any provision of the campaign finance law, Code chapter 68A, is a serious misdemeanor punishable by confinement for up to one year and a fine of at least $315 but not more than $1,875. A variety of civil remedies are also available in Code section 68B.32D for a violation of Code chapter 68A or rules of the ethics and campaign disclosure board, ranging from a reprimand to a civil penalty of not more than $2,000.