S.F. 2059 Section 1. Section 70A.28, subsection 9, Code 2026, is 1 amended to read as follows: 2 9. For purposes of this section , “state employee” and 3 “employee” include , but are not limited to , persons employed 4 by the general assembly , and persons employed by the state 5 board of regents , and officers appointed to positions in the 6 executive branch of state government . 7 EXPLANATION 8 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 9 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 10 This bill includes officers appointed to positions in the 11 executive branch of state government in the definition of 12 “state employee” and “employee” for purposes of prohibitions 13 on certain policies of state government entities relating to, 14 and protections against adverse actions for, the disclosure 15 to certain public entities of information that the employee 16 believes to be evidence of a violation of law or rule, 17 mismanagement, a gross abuse of funds, an abuse of authority, 18 or a substantial and specific danger to public health or 19 safety; and protections against adverse actions for failure to 20 participate in charitable contributions or donations. 21 A person aggrieved by a violation of Code section 70A.28(2) 22 (adverse action for disclosure of information) may enforce the 23 provision through either an administrative or civil action. 24 The bill requires the department of administrative services 25 or the state board of regents, as applicable, to inform new 26 officers of the provisions of Code section 70A.28. 27 By operation of law, a person who violates Code section 28 70A.28(1) or (2) in relation to an appointed officer of the 29 executive branch is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. A simple 30 misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than 30 31 days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. 32 -1- LSB 5141XS (3) 91 ss/ns 1/ 1