HF 419 (LSB 2352YH (2) 86)

HOUSE FILE 419

BY  ROGERS

A BILL FOR

An Act concerning citizen interaction with state government.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 23.1, Code 2015, is amended to read as follows:
   23.1  Citation and purpose.

   This chapter may be cited as the “Iowa Public Information Board Act”. The purpose of this chapter is to enhance citizen interaction with state government and to provide an alternative means by which to secure compliance with and enforcement of the requirements of chapters 21 and 22 through the provision by the Iowa public information board to all interested parties of an efficient, informal, and cost-effective process for resolving disputes.
    Sec. 2.  Section 23.6, Code 2015, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  11A.  Develop and maintain an internet-based government accountability portal to provide public access to and to foster public interaction with state government agencies. The portal shall facilitate public access and interaction with state agencies by allowing the public to register complaints, make comments and suggestions, and receive timely responses to information requests.
    Sec. 3.  GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PORTAL —— DEVELOPMENT.  The Iowa public information board, in collaboration with the office of the chief information officer, shall develop and establish a government accountability portal to serve as a primary access point for citizens to interact with state government agencies, enabling the public to register complaints, make comments and suggestions, and receive timely responses to information requests. 
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes a government accountability portal under the authority of the Iowa public information board. The bill amends Code section 23.1 to provide that a purpose of the Code chapter relating to public access to government information is to enhance citizen interaction with state government and amends Code section 23.6 to require the Iowa public information board to develop and maintain an internet-based government accountability portal. The bill directs the Iowa public information board, in collaboration with the office of the chief information officer, to develop and establish the government accountability portal to serve as a primary access point for citizens to interact with state government agencies.