HF 2692 (LSB 6659YH (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2692

BY  GEARHART

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to confidential public records, including seals and signatures of licensed architects, licensed landscape architects, and registered interior designers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 22.7, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  24.  The seal required pursuant to section 544A.28 or 544B.12, and the seal and signature required pursuant to section 544C.14. Any plan or specification to which a seal or signature, as applicable, is affixed shall not be considered a confidential record unless otherwise provided by law.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, a person has the right to examine and copy a public record. Code section 22.7 (confidential records) identifies public records that are required to be kept confidential unless otherwise ordered by a court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or by another person duly authorized to release such information.
   This bill provides that the seal required for technical submissions by licensed architects under Code section 544A.28 and landscape architectural plans and specifications by licensed landscape architects under Code section 544B.12, and the seal and signature required for interior technical submissions by registered interior designers under Code section 544C.14, are confidential records. The bill also provides that plans or specifications that are affixed with a seal or signature are not considered confidential records unless otherwise provided by law.