Senate File 2434 - Introduced SENATE FILE 2434 BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT (SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3175) A BILL FOR An Act relating to local government, including the approval 1 of action by ordinance and posting of public notices, and 2 including applicability provisions. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js
S.F. 2434 DIVISION I 1 PROHIBITION ON ACTION WITHOUT APPROVAL BY ORDINANCE 2 Section 1. Section 331.301, Code 2026, is amended by adding 3 the following new subsection: 4 NEW SUBSECTION . 30. a. A county department, office, 5 or other subunit shall not adopt, implement, or enforce an 6 internal policy or rule unless the following conditions are 7 met: 8 (1) The policy or rule has been submitted to the board of 9 supervisors for approval. 10 (2) The policy or rule has been approved by ordinance 11 adopted by the board of supervisors. 12 b. Any ordinance approved by a county under this subsection 13 shall be accompanied by a cost analysis that presents the cost 14 to taxpayers and businesses and any other economic impacts of 15 the ordinance and shall be made accessible to the public on the 16 official internet site of the county. 17 Sec. 2. Section 364.3, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 18 following new subsection: 19 NEW SUBSECTION . 24. a. A city department, office, or other 20 subunit shall not adopt, implement, or enforce an internal 21 policy or rule unless the following conditions are met: 22 (1) The policy or rule has been submitted to the council 23 for approval. 24 (2) The policy or rule has been approved by ordinance 25 adopted by the council. 26 b. Any ordinance approved by a city under this subsection 27 shall be accompanied by a cost analysis that presents the cost 28 to taxpayers and businesses and any other economic impacts 29 of the ordinance and shall be made accessible to the public 30 on the official internet site of the city. If the city does 31 not have an official internet site, the information shall be 32 published on the internet site of the county in which the city 33 is located. If the city is located in more than one county, 34 the information shall be published on the internet site of the 35 -1- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 1/ 62
S.F. 2434 county in which the largest population of the city resides. 1 Sec. 3. APPLICABILITY. This Act applies to all policies, 2 rules, and ordinances adopted or implemented on or after the 3 effective date of this division of this Act. 4 DIVISION II 5 PUBLIC NOTICE IN NEWSPAPERS —— REQUIREMENT ELIMINATED 6 Sec. 4. Section 6B.2A, subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph 7 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 8 The Except as provided in chapter 618, the acquiring agency 9 shall cause a notice to be published once in a newspaper 10 of general circulation in the county or city where the 11 agricultural land is located. The notice shall be published 12 at least four but no more than twenty days before the public 13 hearing is held as referred to in subsection 1 . The published 14 notice shall, at a minimum, include the following information: 15 Sec. 5. Section 24.2A, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended 16 to read as follows: 17 4. a. Each political subdivision shall set a time and place 18 for a public hearing on the political subdivision’s proposed 19 property tax amount for the budget year and the political 20 subdivision’s information included in the statements under 21 subsection 2 . The proposed property tax hearing shall be set 22 on a date on or after March 20 of the budget year immediately 23 preceding the budget year for which the tax is being proposed. 24 At the hearing, the governing body of the political subdivision 25 shall receive oral or written testimony from any resident or 26 property owner of the political subdivision. This public 27 hearing shall be separate from any other meeting of the 28 governing body of the political subdivision, including any 29 other meeting or public hearing relating to the political 30 subdivision’s budget, and other business of the political 31 subdivision that is not related to the proposed property tax 32 amounts and the information in the statements shall not be 33 conducted at the public hearing. After all testimony has been 34 received and considered, the governing body may decrease, but 35 -2- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 2/ 62
S.F. 2434 not increase, the proposed property tax amount to be included 1 in the political subdivision’s budget. 2 b. (1) If the political subdivision is a county, notice 3 of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten 4 nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing in the county 5 newspapers selected under chapter 349 . 6 (2) If the political subdivision is a city, notice of the 7 public hearing shall be published pursuant to section 362.3 in 8 a newspaper published at least once weekly and having general 9 circulation in the city. However, if the city has a population 10 of two hundred or less, publication may be made by posting in 11 three public places in the city. 12 (3) If the political subdivision is a school district, 13 notice of the public hearing shall be published not less 14 than ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing in 15 a newspaper published in the school district, if any, and if 16 not, then in a newspaper of general circulation in the school 17 district. 18 (4) Failure of a newspaper to publish a required notice 19 under this paragraph shall not be considered a failure of a 20 political subdivision to provide required notice under this 21 paragraph if all of the following conditions are met: 22 (a) Notice of the public hearing was provided to each 23 property owner and each taxpayer within the political 24 subdivision in statements required under subsection 2 , 25 paragraph “b” . 26 (b) The political subdivision can demonstrate to the county 27 auditor that the political subdivision provided sufficient time 28 for the newspaper to publish the notice. 29 c. b. (1) Notice of the hearing shall also be posted and 30 clearly identified on the political subdivision’s official 31 internet site for public viewing beginning on the date of the 32 newspaper publication , as provided in chapter 618, and shall 33 be maintained on the political subdivision’s official internet 34 site with all such prior year notices. Additionally, if the 35 -3- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 3/ 62
S.F. 2434 political subdivision maintains a social media account on one 1 or more social media applications, the public hearing notice 2 or an electronic link to the public hearing notice shall be 3 posted on each such account on a date no later than the date of 4 publication of the notice. 5 (2) (a) If the political subdivision is a county, notice 6 of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor 7 more than twenty days prior to the hearing. 8 (b) If the political subdivision is a city, notice of the 9 public hearing shall be published not less than four nor more 10 than twenty days prior to the hearing. 11 (c) If the political subdivision is a school district, 12 notice of the public hearing shall be published not less than 13 ten nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing. 14 Sec. 6. Section 24.9, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2026, 15 is amended to read as follows: 16 a. Each municipality shall file with the secretary or clerk 17 thereof the estimates required to be made in sections 24.3 18 through 24.8 , at least twenty days before the date fixed by 19 law for certifying the same to the levying board and shall 20 forthwith fix a date for a hearing on the estimates, and 21 shall publish such estimates and any annual levies previously 22 authorized as provided in section 76.2 , with a notice of the 23 time when and the place where such hearing shall be held not 24 less than ten nor more than twenty days before the hearing. 25 Provided that in municipalities of less than two hundred 26 population such estimates and the notice of hearing shall 27 be posted in three public places in the district in lieu of 28 publication. For any other municipality such Such publication 29 shall be in a newspaper published in the municipality, if any, 30 if not, then in a newspaper of general circulation in the 31 municipality as provided in chapter 618 . 32 Sec. 7. Section 26A.3, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2026, 33 is amended to read as follows: 34 b. The request for statements of qualifications shall be 35 -4- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 4/ 62
S.F. 2434 posted not less than thirteen and not more than forty-five days 1 before the date for response in a relevant contractor plan room 2 service with statewide circulation, in a relevant construction 3 lead generating service with statewide circulation, and on an 4 internet site sponsored by either a governmental entity or a 5 statewide association that represents the governmental entity 6 when applicable as provided in chapter 618 . If circumstances 7 beyond the control of the governmental entity require 8 postponement and there are no changes to the project’s contract 9 documents, a notice of the revised date shall be posted not 10 less than four and not more than forty-five days before the 11 revised date for answering the request for proposals and 12 statements of qualifications in a relevant contractor plan room 13 service with statewide circulation, in a relevant construction 14 lead generating service with statewide circulation, and on an 15 internet site sponsored by either a government entity or a 16 statewide association that represents the governmental entity 17 as provided in chapter 618 . 18 Sec. 8. Section 28A.5, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 19 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 20 Upon petition of eligible electors of a metropolitan area 21 equal in number to at least ten percent of the persons who 22 voted in the last general election held in the metropolitan 23 area for the office of president of the United States or 24 governor, the governing body of the county shall adopt a 25 resolution signifying its intention to initiate the question 26 of participating in the creation of an authority and shall 27 publish the resolution at least once in a newspaper of general 28 circulation in the metropolitan area as provided in chapter 618 29 giving notice of a hearing to be held on the question of the 30 metropolitan area’s entry into the authority. The resolution 31 shall be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of 32 hearing, and shall contain all of the following information: 33 Sec. 9. Section 28A.16, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended 34 to read as follows: 35 -5- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 5/ 62
S.F. 2434 3. The board shall set a time and place for a public hearing 1 on the budget before the final certification date and shall 2 publish notice of the hearing not less than ten nor more than 3 twenty days prior to the hearing in one or more newspapers 4 serving the greater metropolitan area as provided in chapter 5 618 . Proof of publication shall be filed with and preserved 6 by the treasurer. 7 Sec. 10. Section 28A.21, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 8 to read as follows: 9 2. A proposed action of the board, and a proposed 10 agreement to acquire, shall be approved by the governing 11 body of the owner of the facilities. If the governing body 12 of a county, city, commission, or authority desires to sell, 13 lease, lend, grant, or convey to the authority a facility 14 or any part of a facility, the governing body shall adopt a 15 resolution signifying its intention to do so and shall publish 16 the resolution at least one time in a newspaper of general 17 circulation in the county and in a newspaper or newspapers, if 18 necessary, of general circulation in the area served by the 19 county, city, commission, or authority as provided in chapter 20 618 giving notice of a hearing to be held on the question of 21 the sale, lease, loan, grant, or conveyance. The resolution 22 shall be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of 23 hearing. After the hearing and if in the public interest, the 24 county, city, commission, or authority shall enact an ordinance 25 authorizing the sale, lease, loan, grant, or conveyance. 26 Sec. 11. Section 28J.9, subsection 18, paragraph d, 27 subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 28 (1) If a contract is to be negotiated and awarded without 29 competitive bidding for the reason set forth in paragraph “c” , 30 subparagraph (2), the port authority shall publish a notice 31 calling for technical proposals at least twice, with at least 32 seven days between publications, in a newspaper of general 33 circulation in the area of the port authority as provided in 34 chapter 618 . After receipt of the technical proposals, the 35 -6- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 6/ 62
S.F. 2434 port authority may negotiate with and award a contract for the 1 improvement to the person making the proposal considered to be 2 the most advantageous to the port authority. 3 Sec. 12. Section 37.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as 4 follows: 5 37.4 Notice. 6 Notice of the election shall be given by publication in one 7 newspaper published or having general circulation in the city 8 as provided in section 362.3 as provided in chapter 618 . The 9 notice shall state the purpose of the memorial proposed as 10 outlined in section 37.18 . 11 Sec. 13. Section 49.11, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 12 to read as follows: 13 2. The board of supervisors or city council shall publish 14 notice of changes in the county or city precinct boundaries 15 in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county 16 or city as provided in chapter 618 once each week for three 17 consecutive weeks. The series of publications shall be made 18 after the changes in the precincts have been approved by 19 the state commissioner of elections. The last of the three 20 publications shall be made no later than thirty days before the 21 next general election. A map showing the new boundaries may be 22 used. No publication is necessary if no changes were made. 23 Sec. 14. Section 69.2, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 24 to read as follows: 25 2. If the status of an officeholder is in question, the 26 entity or officer responsible for making an appointment to 27 fill the vacancy shall decide whether a vacancy exists. The 28 appointing entity or officer may act upon its own motion. If 29 a petition signed by twenty-five registered voters of the 30 jurisdiction is received, the appointing entity or officer 31 shall convene within thirty days to consider whether a vacancy 32 exists. The appointing entity or officer shall publish notice 33 that a public hearing will be held to determine whether a 34 vacancy exists. If applicable, such notice shall be made 35 -7- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 7/ 62
S.F. 2434 pursuant to chapter 618. The notice shall include the time 1 and place of the hearing and the name of the office and the 2 officeholder whose status is in question. The public hearing 3 shall be held not less than four nor more than fourteen days 4 after publication of the notice. The officer whose status is 5 in question shall be notified of the time and place of the 6 hearing. Notice shall be sent by certified mail and must be 7 postmarked at least fourteen days before the hearing. No later 8 than seven days after the public hearing, the appointing entity 9 or officer shall publish its decision. If the appointing 10 entity or officer decides that the office is vacant, the 11 publication shall state the date the vacancy occurred and what 12 action will be taken to fill the vacancy. 13 Sec. 15. Section 73A.12, Code 2026, is amended to read as 14 follows: 15 73A.12 Issuance of bonds —— notice. 16 Before any municipality shall institute proceedings for 17 the issuance of any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness 18 payable from taxation, excepting such bonds or other evidence 19 of indebtedness as have been authorized by a vote of the people 20 of such municipality, and except such bonds or obligations 21 as it may be by law compelled to issue, a notice of such 22 action, including a statement of the amount and purpose of said 23 bonds or other evidence of indebtedness shall be published 24 at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within 25 such municipality as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days 26 before the meeting at which it is proposed to issue such bonds. 27 Sec. 16. Section 74A.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 28 to read as follows: 29 2. The treasurer may offer the warrants for public sale at 30 par, by publishing notice of the sale for two consecutive weeks 31 in a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction of 32 the school district issuing the warrants as provided in chapter 33 618 , giving not less than ten days’ notice of the time and 34 place of the sale. The notice shall include a statement of the 35 -8- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 8/ 62
S.F. 2434 amount of the warrants offered for sale. 1 Sec. 17. Section 75.2, Code 2026, is amended to read as 2 follows: 3 75.2 Notice of sale. 4 When public bonds are offered for sale, the official in 5 charge of the bond issue shall, by advertisement published 6 at least once, the last one of which shall be not less than 7 four nor more than twenty days before the sale in a newspaper 8 located in the county or a county contiguous to the place of 9 sale as provided in chapter 618 , give notice of the time and 10 place of sale of the bonds, the amount to be offered for sale, 11 and any further information which that the official deems 12 pertinent. 13 Sec. 18. Section 80.39, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 14 to read as follows: 15 1. Personal property, except for motor vehicles subject to 16 sale pursuant to section 321.89 , and seizable property subject 17 to disposition pursuant to chapter 809 or 809A , which personal 18 property is found or seized by, turned in to, or otherwise 19 lawfully comes into the possession of the department or a local 20 law enforcement agency and which that the department or agency 21 does not own, shall be disposed of pursuant to this section . 22 If by examining the property the owner or lawful custodian 23 of the property is known or can be readily ascertained, the 24 department or agency shall notify the owner or custodian by 25 certified mail directed to the owner’s or custodian’s last 26 known address, as to the location of the property. If the 27 identity or address of the owner cannot be determined, notice 28 by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in 29 the area where the property was found or, if applicable, as 30 provided in chapter 618 is sufficient notice. A published 31 notice may contain multiple items. 32 Sec. 19. Section 137.104, subsection 1, paragraph b, 33 subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4), Code 2026, are amended 34 to read as follows: 35 -9- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 9/ 62
S.F. 2434 (1) Rules of a city board shall become effective upon 1 approval by the city council and publication in a newspaper 2 having general circulation in the city as provided in chapter 3 618 . 4 (2) Rules of a county board shall become effective upon 5 approval by the county board of supervisors by a motion or 6 resolution as defined in section 331.101, subsection 13 , and 7 publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the 8 county as provided in chapter 618 . 9 (3) Rules of a district board shall become effective upon 10 approval by the district board and publication in a newspaper 11 having general circulation in the district as provided in 12 chapter 618 . 13 (4) Before approving any rule or regulation the local board 14 of health shall hold a public hearing on the proposed rule. 15 Any citizen may appear and be heard at the public hearing. A 16 notice of the public hearing, stating the time and place and 17 the general nature of the proposed rule or regulation shall be 18 published in a newspaper having general circulation as provided 19 in section 331.305 in the area served by the local board of 20 health chapter 618 . 21 Sec. 20. Section 145A.5, Code 2026, is amended to read as 22 follows: 23 145A.5 Order of approval. 24 When a plan is approved, the officials approving the plan 25 shall jointly issue an order of approval. The order shall 26 specify the area to be merged, the maximum rate of tax to 27 be levied for debt service and operation and maintenance of 28 the proposed area hospital in the portion of the merged area 29 within each political subdivision, the proposed location of 30 the hospital building, the estimated cost of the establishment 31 of the hospital, and any other details concerning the 32 establishment and operation of the hospital the officials 33 deem pertinent. The order shall be published in one or more 34 newspapers which have general circulation within the merged 35 -10- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 10/ 62
S.F. 2434 area as provided in chapter 618 once each week for three 1 consecutive weeks , but the newspapers selected need not be 2 published in the merged area . The published order shall 3 contain a notice to the residents of each subdivision of the 4 proposed merged area that if the residents fail to protest as 5 provided in this chapter , the order shall be deemed approved 6 upon the expiration of a sixty-day period following the date 7 of the last published notice. 8 Sec. 21. Section 161A.16, Code 2026, is amended to read as 9 follows: 10 161A.16 Publication of notice. 11 The notice of hearing on the formation of a subdistrict shall 12 be by publication once each week for two consecutive weeks in 13 some newspaper of general circulation published in the county 14 or district as provided in chapter 618 , the last of which shall 15 be not less than ten days prior to the day set for the hearing 16 on the petition. Proof of such service shall be made by 17 affidavit of the publisher, and be on file with the secretary 18 of the district at the time the hearing begins. 19 Sec. 22. Section 161A.45, Code 2026, is amended to read as 20 follows: 21 161A.45 Submission of regulations to division —— hearing. 22 Regulations which that the commissioners propose to adopt, 23 amend, or repeal shall be submitted to the division, in a form 24 prescribed by the division, for its approval. The division may 25 approve the regulations as submitted, or with amendments as 26 it deems necessary. The commissioners shall, after approval, 27 publish notice of hearing on the proposed regulations, as 28 approved, in a newspaper of general circulation in the district 29 as provided in chapter 618 , setting a date and time not less 30 than ten nor more than thirty days after the publication when a 31 hearing on the proposed regulations will be held at a specified 32 place. The notice shall include the full text of the proposed 33 regulations or shall state that the proposed regulations are 34 on file and available for review at the office of the affected 35 -11- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 11/ 62
S.F. 2434 soil and water conservation district. 1 Sec. 23. Section 174.17, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2 2026, is amended to read as follows: 3 a. A fair may institute proceedings for the issuance 4 of bonds by causing a notice of the proposal to issue the 5 bonds to be published at least once in a newspaper of general 6 circulation within the county as provided in chapter 618 at 7 least ten days prior to the meeting at which the fair proposes 8 to take action for the issuance of the bonds. The notice shall 9 include a statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, the 10 maximum rate of interest the bonds are to bear, and the right 11 to petition for an election. 12 Sec. 24. Section 257.18, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 13 to read as follows: 14 1. An instructional support program that provides 15 additional funding for school districts is established. A 16 board of directors that wishes to consider participating in 17 the instructional support program shall hold a public hearing 18 on the question of participation. The board shall set forth 19 its proposal, including the method that will be used to fund 20 the program, in a resolution and shall publish the notice of 21 the time and place of a public hearing on the resolution. 22 Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be 23 published not less than ten nor more than twenty days before 24 the public hearing in a newspaper which is a newspaper of 25 general circulation in the school district as provided in 26 chapter 618 . At the hearing, or no later than thirty days 27 after the date of the hearing, the board shall take action 28 to adopt a resolution to participate in the instructional 29 support program for a period not exceeding five years or to 30 direct the county commissioner of elections to submit the 31 question of participation in the program for a period not 32 exceeding ten years to the registered voters of the school 33 district at an election held on a date specified in section 34 39.2, subsection 4 , paragraph “c” . If the board submits the 35 -12- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 12/ 62
S.F. 2434 question at an election and a majority of those voting on the 1 question favors participation in the program, the board shall 2 adopt a resolution to participate and certify the results of 3 the election to the department of management. 4 Sec. 25. Section 257.31, subsection 5, paragraph o, 5 subparagraph (2), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 6 (2) Prior to filing a request for supplemental aid or a 7 modified supplemental amount based on the grounds specified 8 in this paragraph, the board of directors shall hold a public 9 hearing on the issue and shall publish the notice of the time 10 and place of the public hearing. Notice of the time and place 11 of the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor 12 more than twenty days before the public hearing in a newspaper 13 that is a newspaper of general circulation in the school 14 district as provided in chapter 618 . 15 Sec. 26. Section 257B.5, Code 2026, is amended to read as 16 follows: 17 257B.5 Notice —— sale. 18 When the board of supervisors shall offer for 19 sale the sixteenth section or lands selected in lieu 20 thereof, or any portion of the same, or any part of the 21 five-hundred-thousand-acre grant, the county auditor shall give 22 at least forty days’ notice, by written or printed notices 23 posted in five public places in the county, two of which shall 24 be in the township in which the land to be sold is situated, 25 and also publish a notice of said sale once each week for two 26 weeks preceding the same in a newspaper published in the county 27 as provided in chapter 618 , describing the land to be sold and 28 the time and place of such sale. At such time and place, or at 29 such other time and place as the sale may be adjourned to, the 30 county auditor shall offer to the highest bidder, subject to 31 the provisions of this chapter , and sell, either for cash or 32 one-third cash and the balance on a credit not exceeding ten 33 years, with interest on the same at the rate of not less than 34 three and one-half percent per annum, to be paid at the office 35 -13- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 13/ 62
S.F. 2434 of the county treasurer of said county on the first day of 1 January in each year, delinquent interest to bear the same rate 2 as the principal. Such county treasurer shall pay to the state 3 treasurer on the first day of February all interest collected. 4 Sec. 27. Section 260C.14, subsection 12, Code 2026, is 5 amended to read as follows: 6 12. During the second week of August of each year, publish 7 by one insertion in at least one newspaper published in the 8 merged area as provided in chapter 618 a summarized statement 9 verified by affidavit of the secretary of the board showing 10 the receipts and disbursements of all funds of the community 11 college for the preceding fiscal year. The statement of 12 disbursements shall show the names of the persons, firms, 13 or corporations, and the total amount paid to each during 14 the fiscal year. The board is not required to make the 15 publications and notices required under sections 279.35 and 16 279.36 . 17 Sec. 28. Section 273.8, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 18 2026, is amended to read as follows: 19 a. Notice of the election shall be published by the area 20 education agency administrator not later than September 15 of 21 the odd-numbered year in at least one newspaper of general 22 circulation in the director district as provided in chapter 23 618 . The cost of publication shall be paid by the area 24 education agency. 25 Sec. 29. Section 273.8, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended 26 to read as follows: 27 3. Director district convention. If no candidate files with 28 the area education agency secretary by the deadline specified 29 in subsection 2 , or a vacancy occurs, or if otherwise required 30 as provided in section 273.23, subsection 3 , a director 31 district convention, attended by members of the boards of 32 directors of the local school districts located within the 33 director district, shall be called to elect a board member 34 described in subsection 1 , paragraph “b” , for that director 35 -14- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 14/ 62
S.F. 2434 district. The convention location shall be determined by the 1 area education agency administrator. Notice of the time, 2 date, and place of a director district convention shall be 3 published by the area education agency administrator in at 4 least one newspaper of general circulation in the director 5 district as provided in chapter 618 at least thirty days prior 6 to the day of the convention. The cost of publication shall be 7 paid by the area education agency. A candidate for election 8 to the area education agency board shall file a statement 9 of candidacy with the area education agency secretary at 10 least ten days prior to the date of the director district 11 convention on forms prescribed by the department of education, 12 or nominations may be made at the convention by a delegate from 13 a board of directors of a school district located within the 14 director district. A statement of candidacy shall include the 15 candidate’s name, address, and school district. Delegates to 16 director district conventions shall not be bound by a school 17 board or any school board member to pledge their votes to any 18 candidate prior to the date of the convention. 19 Sec. 30. Section 273.27, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 20 2026, is amended to read as follows: 21 a. Within ten days following the filing of the dissolution 22 proposal with the affected area education agency board, the 23 affected board shall fix a date for a hearing on the proposal, 24 which shall not be more than sixty days after the dissolution 25 petition was filed with the affected board. The affected board 26 shall publish notice of the date, time, and location of the 27 hearing at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing by 28 one publication in a newspaper in general circulation in the 29 area as provided in chapter 618 . The notice shall include the 30 contents of the dissolution proposal. 31 Sec. 31. Section 275.14, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 32 to read as follows: 33 1. Within ten days after the petition is filed, the area 34 education agency administrator shall fix a final date for 35 -15- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 15/ 62
S.F. 2434 filing objections to the petition , which shall be not more than 1 sixty days after the petition is filed , and shall fix the date 2 for a hearing on the objections to the petition. Objections 3 shall be filed in the office of the administrator , who shall 4 give notice at least ten days prior to the final day for 5 filing objections , by one publication in a newspaper published 6 within the territory described in the petition, or if none is 7 published in the territory, in a newspaper published in the 8 county where the petition is filed, and of general circulation 9 in the territory described as provided in chapter 618 . The 10 notice shall also list the date, time, and location for the 11 hearing on the petition as provided in section 275.15 . The 12 cost of publication shall be assessed to each district whose 13 territory is involved in the ratio that the number of pupils 14 in basic enrollment for the budget year, as defined in section 15 257.6 in each district bears to the total number of pupils 16 in basic enrollment for the budget year in the total area 17 involved. Objections shall be in writing in the form of an 18 affidavit and may be made by any person residing or owning land 19 within the territory described in the petition, or who would 20 be injuriously affected by the change petitioned for and shall 21 be on file not later than 12:00 noon of the final day fixed for 22 filing objections. 23 Sec. 32. Section 275.15, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended 24 to read as follows: 25 4. The administrator shall at once publish the decision 26 in the same newspaper as provided in chapter 618 in the same 27 manner in which the original notice was published. Within 28 twenty days after the publication, the decision rendered by the 29 area education agency board may be appealed to the district 30 court in the county involved by any school district affected. 31 For purposes of appeal, only those school districts who filed 32 reorganization petitions are school districts affected. An 33 appeal from a decision of an area education agency board or 34 joint area education agency boards under section 275.4 , 275.16 , 35 -16- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 16/ 62
S.F. 2434 or this section is subject to appeal procedures under this 1 chapter and is not subject to appeal under chapter 290 . 2 Sec. 33. Section 275.16, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 3 to read as follows: 4 2. Votes of each member of an area education agency board in 5 attendance shall be weighted so that the total number of votes 6 eligible to be cast by members of each board in attendance 7 shall be equal. However, if the joint boards cast a tie vote 8 and are unable to agree to a decision fixing the boundaries for 9 the proposed school corporation or to a decision to dismiss the 10 petition, the time during which actions must be taken under 11 section 275.15 shall be extended from ten days to fifteen days 12 after the conclusion of the hearing under section 275.15 , and 13 the joint board shall reconvene not less than ten and not more 14 than fifteen days after the conclusion of the hearing. At the 15 hearing the joint board shall reconsider its action and if a 16 tie vote is again cast it is a decision granting the petition 17 and changing the plans of any and all of the agency boards 18 affected by the petition and fixing the boundaries for the 19 proposed school corporation. The agency administrator shall 20 at once publish the decision in the same newspaper as provided 21 in chapter 618 in the same manner in which the original notice 22 was published. 23 Sec. 34. Section 275.18, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 24 to read as follows: 25 2. The county commissioner of elections shall give notice 26 of the election by one publication in the same newspaper as 27 provided in chapter 618 in the same manner in which previous 28 notices have been published regarding the proposed school 29 reorganization, and in addition, if more than one county 30 is involved, by one publication in a legal newspaper as 31 provided in chapter 618 in each county other than that of the 32 first publication. The publication shall be not less than 33 four nor more than twenty days prior to the election. If 34 the decision published pursuant to section 275.15 or 275.16 35 -17- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 17/ 62
S.F. 2434 includes a description of the proposed school corporation and 1 a description of the director districts, if any, the notice 2 for election and the ballot do not need to include these 3 descriptions. Notice for an election shall not be published 4 until the expiration of time for appeal, which shall be the 5 same as that provided in section 275.15 or 275.16 , whichever is 6 applicable; and if there is an appeal, not until the appeal has 7 been disposed of. 8 Sec. 35. Section 275.54, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 9 to read as follows: 10 1. Within ten days following the filing of the dissolution 11 proposal with the board, the board shall fix a date for 12 a hearing on the proposal , which shall not be more than 13 sixty days after the dissolution petition was filed with the 14 board. The board shall publish notice of the date, time, and 15 location of the hearing at least ten days prior to the date 16 of the hearing by one publication in a newspaper in general 17 circulation in the district as provided in chapter 618 . The 18 notice shall include the content of the dissolution proposal. 19 A person residing or owning land in the school district may 20 present evidence and arguments at the hearing. The president 21 of the board shall preside at the hearing. The board shall 22 review testimony from the hearing and shall adopt or amend and 23 adopt the dissolution proposal. 24 Sec. 36. Section 275.55, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 25 to read as follows: 26 2. The board shall give written notice of the election to 27 the county commissioner of elections. The county commissioner 28 of elections shall give notice of the election by one 29 publication in the same newspaper as provided in chapter 618 30 in the same manner in which the previous notice was published 31 about the hearing, which publication shall not be less than 32 four nor more than twenty days prior to the election. 33 Sec. 37. Section 279.36, Code 2026, is amended to read as 34 follows: 35 -18- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 18/ 62
S.F. 2434 279.36 Publication procedures and fee . 1 1. The requirements of section 279.35 are satisfied by 2 publication in at least one newspaper published in the district 3 or, if there is none, in at least one newspaper having general 4 circulation within the district as provided in chapter 618 . 5 2. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1989, and each 6 fiscal year thereafter, the fee for the publications shall be 7 the legal publication fee provided by section 618.11 . 8 Sec. 38. Section 303.44, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, 9 is amended to read as follows: 10 The board of supervisors to whom the petition is addressed, 11 at its next regular, special, or adjourned meeting, shall set 12 the time and place when it will meet for a hearing upon the 13 petition, and direct the county auditor in whose office the 14 petition is filed to cause notice to be given to all persons 15 whom it may concern, without naming them, of the pendency 16 and prayer of the petition, by publication of a notice once 17 each week for two consecutive weeks in some newspaper of 18 general circulation published as provided in chapter 618 in 19 the proposed district. The last publication shall not be less 20 than twenty days prior to the date set for the hearing of the 21 petition. If no such newspaper is published in the proposed 22 district, then notice shall be by posting at least five copies 23 of the notice in the proposed district at least twenty days 24 before the hearing. Proof of giving notice shall be made 25 by affidavit of the publisher or affidavit of the person who 26 posted the notices, and the proof shall be on file with the 27 county auditor at the time the hearing begins. The notice of 28 hearing shall be directed to all persons it may concern, and 29 shall state the following: 30 Sec. 39. Section 303.46, Code 2026, is amended to read as 31 follows: 32 303.46 Notice of election. 33 In its order for the election the board of supervisors shall 34 direct the county auditor to cause notice of the election to 35 -19- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 19/ 62
S.F. 2434 be given by posting at least five copies of the notice in 1 public places in the proposed district at least twenty days 2 before the date of election and by publication of the notice 3 once each week for three consecutive weeks in some newspaper of 4 general circulation published as provided in chapter 618 in the 5 proposed district , or, if no such newspaper is published within 6 the proposed district, then in such a newspaper published in 7 the county in which the major part of the proposed district is 8 located . The last publication is to be at least twenty days 9 prior to the date of election. The notice shall state the 10 time and place of holding the election and the hours when the 11 polls will be open and closed, the purpose of the election, 12 with the name of the proposed district and a description of 13 its boundaries, and shall set forth briefly the limits of each 14 voting precinct and the location of the polling places. Proof 15 of posting and publication shall be made in the manner provided 16 in section 303.44 and filed with the county auditor. 17 Sec. 40. Section 303.52, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended 18 to read as follows: 19 3. The board of trustees shall provide for the manner in 20 which the land use plan shall be established and enforced and 21 amended, supplemented, or changed. However, a plan shall not 22 become effective until after a public hearing on it, at which 23 parties in interest and citizens of the district shall have an 24 opportunity to be heard. At least fifteen days’ notice of the 25 time and place of the hearing shall be published in a newspaper 26 of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 within the 27 district giving the time, date, and location of the public 28 hearing. 29 Sec. 41. Section 306.12, Code 2026, is amended to read as 30 follows: 31 306.12 Notice —— service. 32 Notice of the hearing under section 306.11 shall be 33 published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county 34 or counties where the road is located or, if applicable, as 35 -20- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 20/ 62
S.F. 2434 provided in chapter 618 , not less than four nor more than 1 twenty days prior to the date of hearing. The agency which 2 that is holding the hearing shall notify all adjoining property 3 owners, all utility companies whose facilities adjoin the 4 road right-of-way or are on the road right-of-way, and the 5 department, boards of supervisors, or agency in control of 6 affected state lands, of the time and place of the hearing, by 7 certified mail. 8 Sec. 42. Section 309.96, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 9 to read as follows: 10 2. In the event that a county secondary road budget or 11 amended budget thereto is disapproved by the department, the 12 county may elect either to revise such budget or amended budget 13 so as to receive approval or the county may elect to operate 14 with such disapproved budget or amended budget. In the event 15 the county secondary road budget is disapproved in whole or 16 in part, within twenty days after receipt of the department’s 17 report, the board of supervisors shall cause to be published in 18 the official newspapers of the county as provided in chapter 19 618 , notice of a public hearing to be held within ten days of 20 said publication, on the department’s recommendations, and at 21 said hearing the board of supervisors shall amend or adopt 22 their original budget. 23 Sec. 43. Section 321.89, subsection 3, paragraph g, Code 24 2026, is amended to read as follows: 25 g. If it is impossible to determine with reasonable 26 certainty the identities and addresses of the last registered 27 owner and all lienholders, notice by one publication in one 28 newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle 29 was abandoned or, if applicable, as provided in chapter 618 30 shall be sufficient to meet all requirements of notice under 31 this section . The published notice may contain multiple 32 listings of abandoned vehicles but shall be published within 33 the same time requirements and contain the same information as 34 prescribed for mailed notice in this subsection . 35 -21- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 21/ 62
S.F. 2434 Sec. 44. Section 321.236, subsection 13, paragraph b, Code 1 2026, is amended to read as follows: 2 b. Before establishing a rural residence district, the 3 board of supervisors shall hold a public hearing on the 4 proposal, notice of which shall be published in a newspaper 5 having a general circulation as provided in chapter 618 in the 6 area where the proposed district is located at least twenty 7 days before the date of hearing. The notice shall state the 8 time and place of the hearing, the proposed location of the 9 district, and other data considered pertinent by the board of 10 supervisors. 11 Sec. 45. Section 330A.6, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 12 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 13 Whenever the governing body of any municipality shall desire 14 to participate in the creation of an authority it shall adopt a 15 resolution signifying its intention to do so and shall publish 16 said resolution at least one time in a newspaper of general 17 circulation as provided in chapter 618 in such municipality 18 giving notice of a hearing to be held on the question of the 19 municipality’s entry into such authority. Such resolution 20 shall be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of 21 hearing, and shall contain therein the following information: 22 Sec. 46. Section 330A.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 23 to read as follows: 24 2. A municipality wishing to withdraw from or to become a 25 member of an existing authority shall signify its intention by 26 resolution and shall publish the resolution at least one time 27 in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 28 618 in the municipality giving notice of a hearing to be held 29 on the question of withdrawing or joining and its intention 30 to withdraw or join. The resolution shall be published at 31 least fourteen days prior to the date of the hearing. A 32 withdrawing municipality shall state in the resolution how it 33 intends to pay its portion of the outstanding obligations of 34 the authority, if any. A joining municipality shall state in 35 -22- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 22/ 62
S.F. 2434 the resolution the information required in section 330A.6 . A 1 copy of the resolution shall be certified to the authority 2 by the municipality at least fourteen days in advance of the 3 hearing. The board shall by resolution indicate whether a 4 satisfactory provision has been made for the payment of the 5 outstanding obligations of the authority, as required under 6 subsection 1 . After the hearing and if the outstanding 7 obligations of the authority have been adequately provided for 8 by the municipality, the municipality may enact an ordinance to 9 withdraw from or join the authority. 10 Sec. 47. Section 330A.11, subsection 2, Code 2026, is 11 amended to read as follows: 12 2. The proposed action of an authority, and the proposed 13 agreement to acquire, shall be approved by the governing 14 body of the owner of the aviation facilities. Whenever the 15 governing body of any municipality, airport commission, or 16 authority, shall desire to sell, lease, lend, grant, or convey 17 to the authority, any aviation facilities or any part or parts 18 thereof, as aforesaid, it shall adopt a resolution signifying 19 its intention to do so and shall publish said resolution 20 at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation as 21 provided in chapter 618 in said municipality and in a newspaper 22 or newspapers , if necessary, of general circulation of in the 23 area served by said airport commission or authority giving 24 notice of a hearing to be held on the question of said sale, 25 lease, loan, grant, or conveyance. Such resolution shall 26 be published at least fourteen days prior to the date of 27 hearing. After the hearing and if in the public interest, said 28 municipality shall enact an ordinance authorizing said sale, 29 lease, loan, grant, or conveyance and said airport commission 30 or authority shall pass a resolution authorizing said sale, 31 lease, loan, grant, or conveyance. 32 Sec. 48. Section 331.207, subsection 2, Code 2026, is 33 amended to read as follows: 34 2. The petition shall be filed with the county commissioner 35 -23- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 23/ 62
S.F. 2434 by June 1 of an odd-numbered year, subject to subsection 7 . 1 The special election shall be held on the first Tuesday after 2 the first Monday in November of the odd-numbered year. Notice 3 of the special election shall be published once each week for 4 three successive weeks in an official newspaper of the county 5 as provided in chapter 618 , shall state the representation 6 plans to be submitted to the electors, and shall state the 7 date of the special election. The last in the series of 8 publications shall occur not less than four nor more than 9 twenty days before the election. 10 Sec. 49. Section 331.237, subsection 1, Code 2026, is 11 amended to read as follows: 12 1. If a proposed charter for county government is received 13 not less than five working days before the filing deadline for 14 candidates for county offices specified in section 44.4 for 15 the next general election, the board shall direct the county 16 commissioner of elections to submit to the registered voters 17 of the county at the next general election the question of 18 whether the proposed charter shall be adopted. A summary of 19 the proposed charter or amendment shall be published in as 20 provided in chapter 618, on the official internet site of the 21 county newspapers and in a newspaper of general circulation in 22 on the official internet site of each participating city, if 23 applicable, at least ten but not more than twenty days before 24 the date of the election. Except as otherwise provided in 25 sections 331.247 and 331.260 , if a majority of the votes cast 26 on the question is in favor of the proposal, the proposal is 27 adopted. 28 Sec. 50. Section 331.302, subsection 8, Code 2026, is 29 amended to read as follows: 30 8. A resolution becomes effective upon passage and an 31 ordinance or amendment becomes a law when a summary of the 32 ordinance or the complete text of the ordinance is published 33 as provided in chapter 618 , unless a subsequent effective date 34 is provided within the measure. As used in this subsection , 35 -24- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 24/ 62
S.F. 2434 “summary” shall mean a narrative description of the terms and 1 conditions of an ordinance setting forth the main points of 2 the ordinance in a manner calculated to inform the public in a 3 clear and understandable manner the meaning of the ordinance 4 and which shall provide the public with sufficient notice to 5 conform to the desired conduct required by the ordinance. 6 The description shall include the title of the ordinance, 7 an accurate and intelligible abstract or synopsis of the 8 essential elements of the ordinance, a statement that the 9 description is a summary, the location and the normal business 10 hours of the office where the ordinance may be inspected, when 11 the ordinance becomes effective, and the full text of any 12 provisions imposing fines, penalties, forfeitures, fees, or 13 taxes. Legal descriptions of property set forth in ordinances 14 shall be described in full, provided that maps or charts may be 15 substituted for legal descriptions when they contain sufficient 16 detail to clearly define the area with which the ordinance is 17 concerned. The narrative description shall be written in a 18 clear and coherent manner and shall, to the extent possible, 19 avoid the use of technical or legal terms not generally 20 familiar to the public. When necessary to use technical or 21 legal terms not generally familiar to the public, the narrative 22 description shall include definitions of those terms. 23 Sec. 51. Section 331.305, subsection 1, Code 2026, is 24 amended to read as follows: 25 1. Unless otherwise provided by state law, if notice of an 26 election, hearing, or other official action is required by this 27 chapter , the board shall publish the notice at least once, not 28 less than four nor more than twenty days before the date of the 29 election, hearing, or other action, in one or more newspapers 30 which meet the requirements of section 618.14 as provided in 31 chapter 618 . Notice of an election shall also comply with 32 section 49.53 . 33 Sec. 52. Section 331.385, subsection 2, Code 2026, is 34 amended to read as follows: 35 -25- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 25/ 62
S.F. 2434 2. The board of supervisors shall publish notice of the 1 proposed resolution, and of a public hearing to be held on the 2 proposed resolution, in a newspaper of general circulation in 3 the county as provided in chapter 618 at least ten days but no 4 more than twenty days before the date of the public hearing. 5 If, after notice and hearing, the resolution is adopted, the 6 board of supervisors shall assume the exercise of the powers 7 and duties of township trustees relating to fire protection 8 service and emergency medical service as set forth in sections 9 359.42 through 359.45 . 10 Sec. 53. Section 331.425, subsection 5, Code 2026, is 11 amended to read as follows: 12 5. Notice of the proposed special levy election shall be 13 published at least twice in a newspaper as specified in section 14 331.305 prior to the date of the special levy election. The 15 first notice shall appear as early as practicable after the 16 board has decided to seek a special levy. 17 Sec. 54. Section 331.434, subsections 3 and 6, Code 2026, 18 are amended to read as follows: 19 3. Following, and not until, the requirements of section 20 24.2A are completed, the board shall set a time and place for 21 a public hearing on the budget before the final certification 22 date and shall publish notice of the hearing not less than ten 23 nor more than twenty days prior to the hearing in the county 24 newspapers selected under chapter 349 as provided in chapter 25 618 . A summary of the proposed budget and a description of 26 the procedure for protesting the county budget under section 27 331.436 , in the form prescribed by the director of the 28 department of management, shall be included in the notice. 29 Proof of publication of the notice under this subsection 3 30 shall be filed with and preserved by the county auditor. A 31 levy is not valid unless and until the notice is published and 32 individual statements under section 24.2A are mailed. The 33 department of management shall prescribe the form for the 34 public hearing notice for use by counties. 35 -26- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 26/ 62
S.F. 2434 6. The board shall appropriate, by resolution, the amounts 1 deemed necessary for each of the different county officers 2 and departments during the ensuing fiscal year. Increases 3 or decreases in these appropriations do not require a budget 4 amendment, but may be provided by resolution at a regular 5 meeting of the board, as long as each class of proposed 6 expenditures contained in the budget summary published under 7 subsection 3 of this section is not increased. However, 8 decreases in appropriations for a county officer or department 9 of more than ten percent or five thousand dollars, whichever 10 is greater, shall not be effective unless the board sets a 11 time and place for a public hearing on the proposed decrease 12 and publishes notice of the hearing not less than ten nor more 13 than twenty days prior to the hearing in the county newspapers 14 selected under chapter 349 as provided in chapter 618 . 15 Sec. 55. Section 331.434, subsection 7, paragraph c, 16 subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended by striking the 17 subparagraph. 18 Sec. 56. Section 331.443, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 19 2026, is amended to read as follows: 20 a. Notwithstanding subsection 2 , a board may institute 21 proceedings for the issuance of bonds for an essential county 22 purpose specified in section 331.441, subsection 2 , paragraph 23 “b” , subparagraph (18) or (19), in an amount equal to or 24 greater than three million dollars by causing a notice of the 25 proposal to issue the bonds, including a statement of the 26 amount and purpose of the bonds, together with the maximum rate 27 of interest which that the bonds are to bear, and the right 28 to petition for an election, to be published at least once in 29 a newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 30 within the county at least ten days prior to the meeting at 31 which it is proposed to take action for the issuance of the 32 bonds. 33 Sec. 57. Section 341A.6, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended 34 to read as follows: 35 -27- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 27/ 62
S.F. 2434 6. To arrange, compile, and administer competitive tests 1 to determine the relative qualifications of persons seeking 2 employment in any class of position and as a result thereof 3 establish eligible lists for the various classes of positions, 4 and provide that persons discharged because of curtailment of 5 expenditures, reduction in force, and for like causes, head 6 the list in the order of their seniority, to the end that they 7 shall be the first to be reemployed. Notice of competitive 8 tests to be given shall be published at least two weeks prior 9 to holding the tests in a newspaper of general circulation as 10 provided in chapter 618 in the county or counties in which a 11 vacancy exists. 12 Sec. 58. Section 346.27, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended 13 to read as follows: 14 4. The articles of incorporation shall set forth the 15 name of the authority, the name of the incorporating units, 16 the purpose for which the authority is created, the number, 17 terms, and manner of selection of its officers including its 18 governing body which shall be known as the “commission”, the 19 powers and duties of the authority and of its officers, the 20 date upon which the authority becomes effective, the name of 21 the newspaper in official internet site of the county on which 22 the articles of incorporation shall be published, and any other 23 matters. 24 Sec. 59. Section 346.27, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended 25 to read as follows: 26 6. The articles of incorporation shall be recorded in the 27 office of the county recorder and filed with the secretary 28 of state, and shall be published once in a newspaper on the 29 county’s official internet site designated in the articles 30 of incorporation and having a general circulation within the 31 county , and upon such recording and publication, the authority 32 shall be deemed to come into existence. 33 Sec. 60. Section 346.27, subsection 10, paragraph b, Code 34 2026, is amended to read as follows: 35 -28- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 28/ 62
S.F. 2434 b. In addition to the notice required by section 49.53 , a 1 notice of the election shall be published once each week for 2 at least two weeks in some newspaper published in the county 3 as provided in chapter 618 stating the date of the election, 4 the hours the polls will be open, and a copy of the question. 5 The authority shall call this election with the concurrence of 6 both incorporating units. The election shall be conducted by 7 the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of chapters 8 49 and 50 . 9 Sec. 61. Section 347.7, subsection 4, paragraph a, Code 10 2026, is amended to read as follows: 11 a. The tax levy authorized by this section for operation 12 and maintenance of the hospital may be available in whole or in 13 part to any county with or without a county hospital organized 14 under this chapter , to be used to enhance rural health services 15 in the county. However, the tax levied may be expended for 16 enhancement of rural health care services only following a 17 local planning process. The department of health and human 18 services shall establish guidelines to be followed by counties 19 in implementing the local planning process , which shall require 20 legal notice, public hearings, and a referendum in accordance 21 with this subsection prior to the authorization of any new levy 22 or a change in the use of a levy. The notice shall describe the 23 new levy or the change in the use of the levy, indicate the date 24 and location of the hearing, and shall be published at least 25 once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper having 26 general circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618 . 27 The hearing shall not take place prior to two weeks after the 28 second publication. 29 Sec. 62. Section 349.16, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, 30 is amended to read as follows: 31 There shall be published in each of the official newspapers 32 at the expense of the county as provided in chapter 618 during 33 the ensuing year: 34 Sec. 63. Section 349.18, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 35 -29- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 29/ 62
S.F. 2434 2026, is amended to read as follows: 1 b. In addition to the requirements in paragraph “a” , if 2 a county operates an internet site, the county auditor shall 3 post the full text of all resolutions adopted by the board 4 on the internet site as provided in chapter 618 . Any posted 5 summary or text of a full resolution shall include links 6 directing readers to information relevant to the content of the 7 resolution. 8 Sec. 64. Section 352.7, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 9 to read as follows: 10 1. Within thirty days of receipt of a proposal to create 11 or expand an agricultural area which that meets the statutory 12 requirements, the county board shall provide notice of the 13 proposal by publishing notice in a newspaper of general 14 circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618 . Within 15 forty-five days after receipt of the proposal, the county board 16 shall hold a public hearing on the proposal. 17 Sec. 65. Section 354.25, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 18 to read as follows: 19 1. A survey of an official plat shall conform as nearly 20 as possible to the original lot lines shown on the official 21 plat. The surveyor may summon witnesses, administer oaths, and 22 prepare affidavits and boundary line agreements as necessary in 23 order to establish the location of property lines or lot lines. 24 If a substantial error is discovered in an official plat or 25 if it is found to be materially defective, a proprietor may 26 petition the governing body which that would have jurisdiction 27 to approve the plat at the time the petition is filed for 28 a replat of any part of the official plat. Notice of the 29 proposed replat shall be served, in the manner of original 30 notice as provided in Iowa rules of civil procedure, to the 31 proprietors of record and holders of easements specifically 32 recorded within the area to be replatted. The governing body 33 has jurisdiction of the matter upon proof of publication of 34 notice of the petition once each week for two weeks in a 35 -30- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 30/ 62
S.F. 2434 newspaper of general circulation within the area of the replat 1 as provided in chapter 618 . 2 Sec. 66. Section 357A.3, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 3 to read as follows: 4 1. Be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the 5 area to be incorporated as provided in chapter 618 . 6 Sec. 67. Section 357A.6, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 7 to read as follows: 8 2. If the supervisors find that required notice of the 9 hearing has been given and that the proposed district is 10 reasonably necessary for the public health, convenience, and 11 comfort of the residents, or may be of benefit in providing 12 fire protection, they shall make an order establishing the 13 district as a political subdivision, designating the district’s 14 boundary, and identifying the district by name or number. 15 The order shall be published in the same newspaper which 16 published the notice of hearing as provided in chapter 618 . 17 The supervisors shall prepare and preserve a complete record of 18 the hearing on the petition and their findings and action. 19 Sec. 68. Section 357A.8, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 20 to read as follows: 21 1. For an annual meeting of participating members by July 22 31 of each year following the year of incorporation of the 23 district, and for the mailing of written notice of the time and 24 place of each annual meeting to each participating member and 25 publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation 26 in the district as provided in chapter 618 not less than ten 27 nor more than thirty days prior to each meeting. 28 Sec. 69. Section 357A.11, subsection 13, paragraph b, Code 29 2026, is amended to read as follows: 30 b. Prior to such sale, conveyance, merger, or disposition by 31 the board that includes the relinquishment of the district’s 32 right to provide service to an area, the board shall publish 33 notice of a public hearing not less than four nor more 34 than twenty days before the date fixed for the hearing in a 35 -31- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 31/ 62
S.F. 2434 newspaper of general circulation in the area for which the 1 board seeks to relinquish service as provided in chapter 2 618 . The board shall mail notice of a public hearing to the 3 district’s members in the area for which the board seeks to 4 relinquish service not less than fourteen days prior to such 5 public hearing. A public hearing is not required when the 6 board relinquishes the district’s right to service an area 7 within the corporate limits of a city if the city will provide 8 service in compliance with the city’s annexation plan. 9 Sec. 70. Section 357A.12, subsection 1, Code 2026, is 10 amended to read as follows: 11 1. As soon as reasonably possible after incorporation of 12 a district, the board shall file with the supervisors and the 13 department copies of the plans and specifications for, and 14 estimates of the cost of, any improvements authorized by this 15 chapter which that the board proposes to construct or acquire. 16 The board shall determine a reasonable fee which that each 17 member shall pay for the privilege of utilizing the district’s 18 facilities, and which that shall be known as a benefit unit. 19 Benefit units may be classified. The board, by publication 20 in a newspaper of general circulation in the district as 21 provided in chapter 618 , shall generally describe the planned 22 improvements, the area to be served and the fee members will be 23 required to pay for each service connected to the water system. 24 Sec. 71. Section 357A.24, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code 25 2026, is amended to read as follows: 26 b. The order shall be published in on the same newspaper 27 which published official internet site as the notice of the 28 hearing. 29 Sec. 72. Section 357B.18, Code 2026, is amended to read as 30 follows: 31 357B.18 Detachment of land from district. 32 The trustees of a township, after notice and a public 33 hearing, may withdraw the township or part of the township 34 from a benefited fire district. Notice of the time, date , and 35 -32- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 32/ 62
S.F. 2434 place of the hearing shall be published at least two weeks 1 before the hearing in a newspaper having general circulation as 2 provided in chapter 618 within the township. The notice shall 3 also identify the area to be withdrawn. After the hearing on 4 the proposed withdrawal, the township trustees, by majority 5 vote, may withdraw the township or a part of the township from 6 the benefited fire district. If the township trustees take 7 final action to withdraw on or before March 1 of a fiscal year, 8 the effective date of the withdrawal is the following July 1. 9 However, if final action to withdraw is taken after March 1, 10 the withdrawal is not effective until July 1 of the following 11 calendar year. If bonds issued under section 357B.4 are 12 outstanding at the time of withdrawal, the board of supervisors 13 shall continue to levy an annual tax against the taxable 14 property being withdrawn to pay its share of the outstanding 15 obligation of the district relating to those bonds. 16 Sec. 73. Section 357F.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as 17 follows: 18 357F.4 Time of hearing. 19 The public hearing required in section 357F.2 shall be held 20 within thirty days of the presentation of the petition. Notice 21 of hearing shall be given by publication in two successive 22 issues of any newspaper of general circulation within the 23 district as provided in chapter 618 . The last publication 24 shall be not less than one week before the proposed hearing. 25 Sec. 74. Section 357G.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as 26 follows: 27 357G.4 Time of hearing. 28 The public hearing required in section 357G.2 shall be held 29 within thirty days of the presentation of the petition. Notice 30 of hearing shall be given by publication in two successive 31 issues of any newspaper of general circulation within the 32 district as provided in chapter 618 . The last publication 33 shall be not less than one week before the proposed hearing. 34 Sec. 75. Section 357I.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as 35 -33- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 33/ 62
S.F. 2434 follows: 1 357I.4 Time of hearing. 2 The public hearing required in section 357I.2 shall be held 3 within thirty days of the presentation of the petition. Notice 4 of hearing shall be given by publication in two successive 5 issues of any newspaper of general circulation within the 6 district as provided in chapter 618 . The last publication 7 shall be not less than one week before the proposed hearing. 8 Sec. 76. Section 357J.10, Code 2026, is amended to read as 9 follows: 10 357J.10 Approval of district property tax levy. 11 Annually, the commission shall propose the levy of a tax of 12 not more than one dollar and sixty and three-quarters cents 13 per one thousand dollars of assessed value on all taxable 14 property within the district. A proposed property tax levy 15 rate shall not be approved by the commission unless two-thirds 16 of the commission’s members are present when the proposed 17 property tax levy rate is approved. The commission shall 18 hold a public hearing within thirty days of the commission’s 19 approval of a proposed property tax levy rate to receive public 20 comment. Notice of the hearing shall be given by publication 21 in a newspaper of general circulation within the district as 22 provided in chapter 618 and shall be posted in a public place 23 in each city within the district no less than ten days before 24 the public hearing. The notice shall include the commission’s 25 proposed property tax levy rate, the reason for the tax, and 26 the time when and the place where the hearing shall be held. 27 The commission shall be considered a municipality for purposes 28 of adopting and certifying a budget pursuant to chapter 24 and 29 shall set the property tax levy rate no more than ten days 30 following the public hearing. The tax shall be set to raise 31 only the amount needed. The commission shall have exclusive 32 tax-levying authority for the district. 33 Sec. 77. Section 358.40, subsections 3 and 4, Code 2026, are 34 amended to read as follows: 35 -34- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 34/ 62
S.F. 2434 3. The board shall examine the petition at its next meeting 1 after its filing or within twenty days of the filing, whichever 2 date is earlier. Within ten days of the meeting, the board 3 shall publish notice of the petition and the date, time, and 4 place of the meeting at which time the board proposes to take 5 action on the petition. The notice shall be published in a 6 newspaper of general circulation published in the district 7 and, if no newspaper is published within the district, in a 8 newspaper published in the county in which the major part of 9 the district is located as provided in chapter 618 . At the 10 board’s meeting, or subsequent meetings as necessary, if the 11 petition is found to comply with the requirements of this 12 section and the board of trustees consents by majority vote, 13 the board of supervisors may provide for payment as requested 14 or modify the method of payment of costs and expenses. 15 4. If the board decides that dissolution is warranted for 16 the best interest of the public, it shall publish a notice in a 17 newspaper of general circulation published in the district or, 18 if no newspaper is published in the district, in a newspaper 19 published in the county in which the major part of the district 20 is located as provided in chapter 618 and give notice by mail 21 to all known claimants or creditors of the district that it 22 will receive and adjudicate claims against the district for 23 four months from the date the notice is published and shall 24 levy an annual tax as necessary against all property in the 25 district for the number of years required to pay all claims 26 allowed. However, the annual tax levied under this subsection 27 shall not exceed four dollars per thousand dollars of assessed 28 valuation of the taxable property within the district at the 29 time of dissolution. The levy shall be made in the same manner 30 as provided in section 76.2 . After the board makes a specific 31 finding that all indebtedness, costs, and expenses have been 32 paid or levies approved for their payment, the board shall 33 dissolve the district by resolution entered upon its records. 34 The dissolution order shall be noted by the auditor on the 35 -35- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 35/ 62
S.F. 2434 county records, showing the date when the dissolution became 1 effective. 2 Sec. 78. Section 359.52, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 3 2026, is amended to read as follows: 4 a. The board of trustees shall set forth its proposal in a 5 resolution and shall publish notice of the resolution and of 6 a date, time, and place of a public hearing on the proposal. 7 The notice shall be published in a newspaper published at least 8 once weekly and having general circulation in the township or 9 in the largest city in the township as provided in chapter 618 . 10 The notice shall be published no less than ten days and no more 11 than twenty days before the hearing. 12 Sec. 79. Section 362.3, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code 13 2026, is amended to read as follows: 14 b. A publication required by the city code must be in a 15 newspaper published at least once weekly and having general 16 circulation in the city as provided in chapter 618 . However, 17 if the city has a population of two hundred or less, or in the 18 case of ordinances and amendments to be published in a city in 19 which no newspaper is published, a publication may be made by 20 posting in three public places in the city which that have been 21 permanently designated by ordinance. 22 Sec. 80. Section 362.3, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 23 by striking the subsection. 24 Sec. 81. Section 364.2, subsection 4, paragraph c, Code 25 2026, is amended to read as follows: 26 c. Notice of the election shall be given by publication 27 as prescribed in section 49.53 in a newspaper of general 28 circulation in the city and chapter 618 . 29 Sec. 82. Section 364.4, subsection 4, paragraph e, 30 subparagraph (2), subparagraph division (a), Code 2026, is 31 amended to read as follows: 32 (a) The governing body must institute proceedings to enter 33 into a lease or lease-purchase contract payable from the 34 general fund by causing a notice of the meeting to discuss 35 -36- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 36/ 62
S.F. 2434 entering into the lease or lease-purchase contract, including 1 a statement of the principal amount and purpose of the lease 2 or lease-purchase contract and the right to petition for an 3 election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of 4 general circulation within the city as provided in chapter 618 5 at least ten days prior to the discussion meeting. No sooner 6 than thirty days following the discussion meeting shall the 7 governing body hold a meeting at which it is proposed to take 8 action to enter into the lease or lease-purchase contract. 9 Sec. 83. Section 368.4, Code 2026, is amended to read as 10 follows: 11 368.4 Annexing moratorium. 12 A city, following notice and hearing, may by resolution 13 agree with another city or cities to refrain from annexing 14 specifically described territory for a period not to exceed 15 ten years and, following notice and hearing, may by resolution 16 extend the agreement for subsequent periods not to exceed ten 17 years each. Notice of a hearing shall be served by regular 18 mail at least thirty days before the hearing on the city 19 development board and on the board of supervisors of the county 20 in which the territory is located and shall be published in an 21 official county newspaper in as provided in chapter 618, on 22 the official internet site of each county containing a city 23 conducting a hearing regarding the agreement, in an official 24 county newspaper in on the official internet site of any county 25 within two miles of any such city, and in an official newspaper 26 on the official internet site of each city conducting a hearing 27 regarding the agreement. The notice shall include the time and 28 place of the hearing, describe a description of the territory 29 subject to the proposed agreement, and the general terms of 30 the agreement. After passage of a resolution by the cities 31 approving the agreements, a copy of the agreement and a copy of 32 any resolution extending an agreement shall be filed with the 33 city development board within ten days of enactment. If such 34 an agreement is in force, the board shall dismiss a petition or 35 -37- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 37/ 62
S.F. 2434 plan which that violates the terms of the agreement. 1 Sec. 84. Section 368.7, subsection 1, paragraph d, Code 2 2026, is amended to read as follows: 3 d. The city shall provide for a public hearing on the 4 application before approving or denying it. The city shall 5 provide written notice at least fourteen business days prior 6 to any action by the city council regarding the application, 7 including a public hearing, by regular mail to the chairperson 8 of the board of supervisors of each county which contains a 9 portion of the territory proposed to be annexed, each public 10 utility which serves the territory proposed to be annexed, 11 each owner of property located within the territory to be 12 annexed who is not a party to the application, and each owner 13 of property that adjoins the territory to be annexed unless 14 the adjoining property is in a city. The city shall publish 15 notice of the application and public hearing on the application 16 in an official county newspaper in each county which contains 17 a portion of the territory proposed to be annexed as provided 18 in chapter 618 . Both the written and published notice shall 19 include the time and place of the public hearing and a legal 20 description of the territory to be annexed. The city shall 21 not assess the costs of providing notice as required in this 22 section to the applicants. The city council shall approve or 23 deny the application by resolution of the council. 24 Sec. 85. Section 368.7, subsections 2 and 3, Code 2026, are 25 amended to read as follows: 26 2. An application for annexation of territory not within 27 an urbanized area of a city other than the city to which the 28 annexation is directed must be approved by resolution of the 29 council which receives the application. The city council shall 30 mail a copy of the application by certified mail to the board 31 of supervisors of each county which contains a portion of the 32 territory at least fourteen business days prior to any action 33 taken by the city council on the application. The council 34 shall also publish notice of the application in an official 35 -38- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 38/ 62
S.F. 2434 county newspaper in each county which contains a portion of the 1 territory as provided in chapter 618 at least fourteen days 2 prior to any action taken by the council on the application. 3 Upon receiving approval of the council, the city clerk shall 4 file a copy of the resolution, map, and legal description of 5 the territory involved with the secretary of state, the county 6 board of supervisors of each county which contains a portion 7 of the territory, each affected public utility, and the state 8 department of transportation. The city clerk shall also record 9 a copy of the legal description, map, and resolution with the 10 county recorder of each county which contains a portion of 11 the territory. The secretary of state shall not accept and 12 acknowledge a copy of a legal description, map, and resolution 13 of annexation which would create an island. The annexation is 14 completed upon acknowledgment by the secretary of state that 15 the secretary of state has received the legal description, map, 16 and resolution. 17 3. An application for annexation of territory within an 18 urbanized area of a city other than the city to which the 19 annexation is directed must be approved both by resolution of 20 the council which receives the application and by the board. 21 The board shall not approve an application which creates an 22 island. Notice of the application shall be mailed by certified 23 mail, by the city to which the annexation is directed, at least 24 fourteen business days prior to any action by the city council 25 on the application to the council of each city whose boundary 26 adjoins the territory or is within two miles of the territory, 27 to the board of supervisors of each county which contains a 28 portion of the territory, each affected public utility, and 29 to the regional planning authority of the territory. Notice 30 of the application shall be published in an official county 31 newspaper in each county which contains a portion of the 32 territory as provided in chapter 618 at least ten business days 33 prior to any action by the city council on the application. 34 The annexation is completed when the board has filed and 35 -39- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 39/ 62
S.F. 2434 recorded copies of applicable portions of the proceedings as 1 required by section 368.20, subsection 1 , paragraph “b” . 2 Sec. 86. Section 368.11, subsection 5, Code 2026, is amended 3 to read as follows: 4 5. Before a petition for involuntary annexation may be 5 filed, the petitioner shall hold a public meeting on the 6 petition. Notice of the meeting shall be published in an 7 official county newspaper in as provided in chapter 618, on 8 the official internet site of each county which that contains 9 a part of the territory at least five days before the date 10 of the public meeting. The mayor of the city proposing to 11 annex the territory, or that person’s designee, shall serve as 12 chairperson of the public meeting. The city clerk of the same 13 city or the city clerk’s designee shall record the proceedings 14 of the public meeting. Any person attending the meeting may 15 submit written comments and may be heard on the petition. The 16 minutes of the public meeting and all documents submitted at 17 the public meeting shall be forwarded to the county board of 18 supervisors of each county where the territory is located and 19 to the board by the chairperson of the meeting. 20 Sec. 87. Section 372.13, subsection 6, Code 2026, is amended 21 to read as follows: 22 6. Within fifteen days following a regular or special 23 meeting of the council, the clerk shall cause the minutes of 24 the proceedings of the council, including the total expenditure 25 from each city fund, to be delivered to a newspaper of general 26 circulation in the city for publication published as provided 27 in chapter 618 . The publication shall include a list of all 28 claims allowed and a summary of all receipts and shall show 29 the gross amount of the claims. The list of claims allowed 30 shall show the name of the person or firm making the claim, 31 the reason for the claim, and the amount of the claim. If the 32 reason for the claims is the same, two or more claims made by 33 the same vendor, supplier, or claimant may be consolidated if 34 the number of claims consolidated and the total consolidated 35 -40- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 40/ 62
S.F. 2434 claim amount are listed in the statement. However, the city 1 shall provide at its office upon request an unconsolidated list 2 of all claims allowed. Matters discussed in closed session 3 pursuant to section 21.3 shall not be published until entered 4 on the public minutes. However, in cities having more than 5 one hundred fifty thousand population, the council shall each 6 month print in pamphlet form a detailed itemized statement 7 of all receipts and disbursements of the city, and a summary 8 of its proceedings during the preceding month, and furnish 9 copies to the city library, the daily newspapers of the city, 10 and to persons who apply at the office of the city clerk, and 11 the pamphlet shall constitute publication as required. The 12 contents of the pamphlet shall be published on the city’s 13 internet site. Failure by the clerk to make publication is 14 a simple misdemeanor. The provisions of this subsection are 15 applicable in cities in which a newspaper is published, or in 16 cities of two hundred population or over, but in all other 17 cities, posting the statement in three public places in the 18 city which have been permanently designated by ordinance is 19 sufficient compliance with this subsection . 20 Sec. 88. Section 373.4, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 21 to read as follows: 22 1. Within sixty days after its organization, the commission 23 shall hold at least one public hearing for the purpose of 24 receiving information and material which that will assist in 25 the drafting of a charter. Notice of the date, time, and 26 place of the hearing shall be published in the official county 27 newspapers of as provided in chapter 618 in each county in 28 which the participating cities are located. 29 Sec. 89. Section 373.6, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 30 to read as follows: 31 1. If a proposed charter for consolidation is received not 32 later than seventy-eight days before the next general election, 33 the council of the participating city with the largest 34 population shall, not later than sixty-nine days before the 35 -41- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 41/ 62
S.F. 2434 general election, direct the county commissioner of elections 1 to submit to the registered voters of the participating 2 cities at the next general election the question of whether 3 the proposed charter shall be adopted. A summary of the 4 proposed charter shall be published in a newspaper of general 5 circulation in as provided in chapter 618 on the official 6 internet site of each city participating in the charter 7 commission process at least ten but not more than twenty days 8 before the date of the election. The proposed charter shall 9 be effective in regard to a city only if a majority of the 10 electors of the city voting approves the proposed charter. 11 Sec. 90. Section 384.16, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended 12 to read as follows: 13 3. Following, and not until, completion of requirements 14 of section 24.2A , the council shall set a time and place for 15 public hearing on the budget before the final certification 16 date and shall publish notice of the hearing pursuant to 17 section 362.3 in a newspaper published at least once weekly 18 and having general circulation in the city. However, if the 19 city has a population of two hundred or less, publication may 20 be made by posting in three public places in the city and as 21 provided in chapter 618 . A summary of the proposed budget and 22 a description of the procedure for protesting the city budget 23 under section 384.19 , in the form prescribed by the director of 24 the department of management, shall be included in the notice. 25 Proof of publication of the notice under this subsection 3 must 26 be filed with the county auditor. The department of management 27 shall prescribe the form for the public hearing notice for use 28 by cities. 29 Sec. 91. Section 384.16, subsection 6, paragraph c, 30 subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended by striking the 31 subparagraph. 32 Sec. 92. Section 384.24A, subsection 4, paragraph b, 33 subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 34 (1) The governing body must institute proceedings to enter 35 -42- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 42/ 62
S.F. 2434 into a loan agreement payable from the general fund by causing 1 a notice of the meeting to discuss entering into the loan 2 agreement, including a statement of the principal amount and 3 purpose of the loan agreement and the right to petition for 4 an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper of 5 general circulation within the city as provided in chapter 618 6 at least ten days prior to the discussion meeting. No sooner 7 than thirty days following the discussion meeting shall the 8 governing body hold a meeting at which it is proposed to take 9 action to enter into the loan agreement. 10 Sec. 93. Section 384.25, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 11 2026, is amended to read as follows: 12 a. Notwithstanding subsection 2 , a council may institute 13 proceedings for the issuance of bonds for an essential 14 corporate purpose specified in section 384.24, subsection 3 , 15 paragraph “w” or “x” , in an amount equal to or greater than 16 three million dollars by causing a notice of the proposal 17 to issue the bonds, including a statement of the amount 18 and purpose of the bonds, together with the maximum rate of 19 interest which that the bonds are to bear, and the right to 20 petition for an election, to be published at least once in a 21 newspaper of general circulation as provided in chapter 618 22 within the city at least ten days prior to the meeting at which 23 it is proposed to take action for the issuance of the bonds. 24 Sec. 94. Section 384.26, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 25 2026, is amended to read as follows: 26 b. Notice of the election must be given by publication as 27 required by section 49.53 in a newspaper of general circulation 28 in the city provided in chapter 618 . At the election the 29 ballot used for the submission of the proposition must be in 30 substantially the form for submitting special questions at 31 general elections. 32 Sec. 95. Section 384.26, subsection 5, paragraph a, 33 unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as 34 follows: 35 -43- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 43/ 62
S.F. 2434 Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2 , a council 1 may, in lieu of calling an election, institute proceedings 2 for the issuance of bonds for a general corporate purpose by 3 causing a notice of the proposal to issue the bonds, including 4 a statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, together 5 with the maximum rate of interest which that the bonds are 6 to bear, and the right to petition for an election, to be 7 published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation 8 within the city as provided by chapter 618 at least ten 9 days prior to the meeting at which it is proposed to take 10 action for the issuance of the bonds subject to the following 11 population-based limitations, adjusted and published annually 12 in January by the department of management by applying the 13 percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban 14 consumers for the most recent available twelve-month period 15 published in the federal register by the United States 16 department of labor, bureau of labor statistics: 17 Sec. 96. Section 384.84A, subsection 1, Code 2026, is 18 amended to read as follows: 19 1. The governing body of a city may institute proceedings 20 to issue revenue bonds for storm water drainage construction 21 projects under section 384.84, subsection 7 , by causing notice 22 of the proposed project, with a description of the proposed 23 project and a description of the formula for the determination 24 of the rate or rates applied to users for payment of the bonds, 25 and a description of the bonds and maximum rate of interest and 26 the right to petition for an election if the project meets the 27 requirement of subsection 2 , to be published at least once in a 28 newspaper of general circulation within the city as provided 29 in chapter 618 at least thirty days before the meeting at 30 which the governing body proposes to take action to institute 31 proceedings for issuance of revenue bonds for the storm water 32 drainage construction project. 33 Sec. 97. Section 400.3, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 34 to read as follows: 35 -44- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 44/ 62
S.F. 2434 2. If the city council appoints a commission, the city 1 council may, by ordinance, abolish the commission, and the 2 commission shall stand abolished sixty days from the date of 3 the ordinance and the powers and duties of the commission 4 shall revert to the city council except whenever a city having 5 a population of less than eight thousand provides for the 6 appointment of a civil service commission, the city council 7 may by ordinance abolish such office, but the ordinance shall 8 not take effect until the ordinance has been submitted to the 9 voters at a regular city election and approved by a majority of 10 the voters at such election. The ordinance shall be published 11 once each week for two consecutive weeks preceding the date of 12 the election in a newspaper published in and having a general 13 circulation in the city. If a newspaper is not published in 14 such city, publication may be made in any newspaper having 15 general circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618 . 16 Sec. 98. Section 403.5, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended 17 to read as follows: 18 3. The local governing body shall hold a public hearing 19 on an urban renewal plan after public notice thereof by 20 publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in the 21 area of operation of the municipality as provided in chapter 22 618 . The notice shall describe the time, date, place and 23 purpose of the hearing, shall generally identify the urban 24 renewal area covered by the plan, and shall outline the general 25 scope of the urban renewal activities under consideration. 26 A copy of the notice shall be sent by ordinary mail to each 27 affected taxing entity. 28 Sec. 99. Section 403.8, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 29 2026, is amended to read as follows: 30 a. A municipality may dispose of real property in an 31 urban renewal area to private persons only under reasonable 32 competitive bidding procedures it shall prescribe, or as 33 provided in this subsection . A municipality, by public notice 34 by publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in 35 -45- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 45/ 62
S.F. 2434 the community published as provided in chapter 618 , thirty 1 days prior to the execution of a contract to sell, lease , or 2 otherwise transfer real property, and prior to the delivery 3 of an instrument of conveyance with respect to the real 4 property under this section , may invite proposals from and make 5 available all pertinent information to any persons interested 6 in undertaking to redevelop or rehabilitate an urban renewal 7 area, or a part of the area. The notice shall identify the 8 area, or portion of the area, and shall state that proposals 9 shall be made by those interested within thirty days after the 10 date of publication of the notice, and that further information 11 available may be obtained at the office designated in the 12 notice. The municipality shall consider all redevelopment or 13 rehabilitation proposals, and the financial and legal ability 14 of the persons making the proposals to carry them out, and 15 the municipality may negotiate with any persons for proposals 16 concerning the purchase, lease or other transfer of real 17 property acquired by the municipality in the urban renewal 18 area. The municipality may accept the proposal it deems to 19 be in the public interest and in furtherance of the purposes 20 of this chapter . However, a notification of intention to 21 accept the proposal shall be filed with the governing body not 22 less than thirty days prior to the acceptance. Thereafter, 23 the municipality may execute a contract in accordance 24 with subsection 1 and may deliver deeds, leases , and other 25 instruments and may take all steps necessary to effectuate the 26 contract. 27 Sec. 100. Section 403.15, subsection 5, Code 2026, is 28 amended to read as follows: 29 5. The mayor or chairperson of the board, as applicable, 30 shall designate a chairperson and vice chairperson from among 31 the commissioners. An agency may employ an executive director, 32 technical experts and such other agents and employees, 33 permanent and temporary, as it may require, and the agency may 34 determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. For 35 -46- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 46/ 62
S.F. 2434 such legal service as it may require, an agency may employ or 1 retain its own counsel and legal staff. An agency authorized to 2 transact business and exercise powers under this chapter shall 3 file, with the local governing body, on or before September 4 30 of each year, a report of its activities for the preceding 5 fiscal year, which report shall include a complete financial 6 statement setting forth its assets, liabilities, income and 7 operating expense as of the end of such fiscal year. At the 8 time of filing the report, the agency shall publish in a 9 newspaper of general circulation , as provided in chapter 618, 10 in the city or county, as applicable, a notice to the effect 11 that such report has been filed with the municipality, and that 12 the report is available for inspection during business hours in 13 the office of the city clerk or county auditor, as applicable, 14 and in the office of the agency. 15 Sec. 101. Section 403A.5, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code 16 2026, is amended to read as follows: 17 b. The mayor shall designate a chairperson and vice 18 chairperson from among the commissioners. An agency may employ 19 an executive director, technical experts and such other agents 20 and employees, permanent and temporary, as it may require, 21 and the agency may determine their qualifications, duties, 22 and compensation. For such legal service as it may require, 23 an agency may employ or retain its own counsel and legal 24 staff. An agency authorized to transact business and exercise 25 powers under this chapter shall file, with the local governing 26 body, on or before September 30 of each year, a report of 27 its activities for the preceding fiscal year, which report 28 shall include a complete financial statement setting forth its 29 assets, liabilities, income, and operating expense as of the 30 end of such fiscal year. At the time of filing the report, 31 the agency shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation 32 a notice in the community a notice as provided in chapter 33 618 to the effect that such report has been filed with the 34 municipality, and that the report is available for inspection 35 -47- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 47/ 62
S.F. 2434 during business hours in the office of the city clerk and in 1 the office of the agency. 2 Sec. 102. Section 403A.28, Code 2026, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 403A.28 Public hearing required. 5 The municipal housing agency shall not undertake any 6 low-cost housing project until such time as a public hearing 7 has been called, at which time the agency shall advise the 8 public of the name of the proposed project, its location, the 9 number of living units proposed and their approximate cost. 10 Notice of the public hearing on the proposed project shall be 11 published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation 12 as provided in chapter 618 within the municipality, at least 13 fifteen days prior to the date set for the hearing. 14 Sec. 103. Section 419.9, Code 2026, is amended to read as 15 follows: 16 419.9 Public hearing. 17 Prior to the issuance of any bonds under authority of this 18 chapter , the municipality shall conduct a public hearing on the 19 proposal to issue said bonds. Notice of intention to issue the 20 bonds, specifying the amount and purpose thereof and the time 21 and place of hearing, shall be published at least once not less 22 than fifteen days prior to the date fixed for the hearing in 23 a newspaper published and having a general circulation within 24 the municipality. If there is no newspaper published therein, 25 the notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the 26 county and having a general circulation in the municipality 27 as provided in chapter 618 . At the time and place fixed for 28 the public hearing the governing body of the municipality 29 shall give all local residents who appear at the hearing an 30 opportunity to express their views for or against the proposal 31 to issue the bonds and at the hearing, or any adjournment 32 thereof, shall adopt a resolution determining whether or not to 33 proceed with the issuance of the bonds. 34 Sec. 104. Section 420.41, subsection 3, Code 2026, is 35 -48- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 48/ 62
S.F. 2434 amended to read as follows: 1 3. Special charter cities which prior to and concurrently 2 with the taking effect of this subsection collect general city 3 taxes directly through their own officers, shall, within the 4 applicable provisions of chapter 384, subchapter I , make the 5 appropriations for the necessary expenditures for the next 6 ensuing fiscal year by ordinance. The proposed ordinance 7 shall, upon first reading, be placed on file with the clerk for 8 public inspection, and, upon second reading, if and as amended, 9 forthwith be published in a newspaper of general circulation as 10 provided in chapter 618 , together with the time and place for a 11 public hearing on said proposed ordinance, which hearing shall 12 be not less than ten days prior to the council meeting at which 13 it shall be placed upon its passage. 14 Sec. 105. Section 420.214, Code 2026, is amended to read as 15 follows: 16 420.214 Sale of real estate —— notice. 17 In the sale of real property for taxes and assessments, the 18 notice of the time and place of such sale shall be given by the 19 treasurer or the collector, and shall contain the description 20 of each separate tract to be sold, as taken from the tax list; 21 the amount of taxes for which it is liable, delinquent for each 22 year, and the amount of penalty, interest, and cost thereon; 23 the name of the owner, if known, or the person, if any, to whom 24 it is taxable; by publication in some newspaper in the city 25 once each week for two consecutive weeks as provided in chapter 26 618 , the last of which shall be not more than two weeks before 27 the date of such sale, and by posting a copy thereof at the door 28 of the office of the collector or treasurer one week before the 29 day of such sale. 30 Sec. 106. Section 420.286, Code 2026, is amended to read as 31 follows: 32 420.286 Procedure. 33 On the presentation of a petition signed by one-fourth of 34 the electors, as shown by the vote at the next preceding city 35 -49- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 49/ 62
S.F. 2434 election, of any city acting under a special charter or act of 1 incorporation, to the governing body of the city, asking that 2 the question of the amendment of the special charter or act 3 of incorporation be submitted to the electors of such city, 4 the governing body shall immediately propose sections to amend 5 the charter or act of incorporation, and shall submit the 6 amendment, as requested, at the first ensuing city election. 7 At least ten days before the election, the mayor of the 8 city shall issue a proclamation setting forth the nature and 9 character of the amendment, and shall cause the proclamation 10 to be published in a newspaper published in the city, or, if 11 there be none, the mayor shall cause the amendment to be posted 12 in five public places in the city as provided in chapter 618 . 13 On the day specified, the proposition to adopt the amendment 14 shall be submitted to the electors of the city for adoption or 15 rejection, in the manner provided by the general election laws. 16 Sec. 107. Section 423A.7, subsection 4, paragraph f, 17 subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 18 (1) A city or county acting on behalf of an unincorporated 19 area may, in lieu of calling an election, institute proceedings 20 for the issuance of bonds under this section by causing 21 a notice of the proposal to issue the bonds, including a 22 statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, together with 23 the maximum rate of interest which that the bonds are to bear, 24 and the right to petition for an election, to be published at 25 least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the 26 city or unincorporated area as provided in chapter 618 at least 27 ten days prior to the meeting at which it is proposed to take 28 action for the issuance of the bonds. 29 Sec. 108. Section 423B.9, subsection 4, paragraph a, 30 subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 31 (1) A bond issuer may institute proceedings for the issuance 32 of bonds by causing a notice of the proposal to issue the 33 bonds, including a statement of the amount and purpose of 34 the bonds, together with the maximum rate of interest which 35 -50- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 50/ 62
S.F. 2434 that the bonds are to bear, and the right to petition for 1 an election, to be published at least once in a newspaper 2 of general circulation within the political subdivision or 3 unincorporated area as provided in chapter 618 at least ten 4 days prior to the meeting at which it is proposed to take 5 action for the issuance of the bonds. 6 Sec. 109. Section 423F.3, subsection 3, paragraph d, Code 7 2026, is amended to read as follows: 8 d. The board secretary shall notify the county commissioner 9 of elections of the intent to take an issue to the voters 10 pursuant to paragraph “b” or “c” . The county commissioner 11 of elections shall publish the notices required by law for 12 special or general elections as provided in chapter 618 , and 13 the election shall be held on a date specified in section 39.2, 14 subsection 4 , paragraph “c” . A majority of those voting on the 15 question must favor approval of the revenue purpose statement. 16 If the proposal is not approved, the school district shall 17 not submit the same or new revenue purpose statement to the 18 electors for a period of six months from the date of the 19 previous election. 20 Sec. 110. Section 423F.3, subsection 7, paragraph a, Code 21 2026, is amended to read as follows: 22 a. Prior to approving the use of revenues received under 23 this chapter for an athletic facility infrastructure project 24 within the scope of the school district’s approved revenue 25 purpose statement or pursuant to subsection 4 for a school 26 district without an approved revenue statement, the board of 27 directors shall adopt a resolution setting forth the proposal 28 for the athletic facility infrastructure project and hold an 29 additional public hearing on the issue of construction of the 30 athletic facility. Notice of the time and place of the public 31 hearing shall be published not less than ten nor more than 32 twenty days before the public hearing in a newspaper which is 33 a newspaper of general circulation in the school district as 34 provided in chapter 618 . If at any time prior to the fifteenth 35 -51- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 51/ 62
S.F. 2434 day following the hearing, the secretary of the board of 1 directors receives a petition containing the required number 2 of signatures and asking that the question of the approval of 3 the use of revenues for the athletic facility infrastructure 4 project be submitted to the voters of the school district, 5 the board of directors shall either rescind the board’s 6 resolution for the use of revenues for the athletic facility 7 infrastructure project or direct the county commissioner of 8 elections to submit the question to the registered voters of 9 the school district at an election held on a date specified 10 in section 39.2, subsection 4 , paragraph “c” . The petition 11 must be signed by eligible electors equal in number to not less 12 than one hundred or thirty percent of the number of voters 13 at the last preceding election of school officials under 14 section 277.1 , whichever is greater. If a majority of those 15 voting on the question favors the use of the revenues for the 16 athletic facility infrastructure project, the board shall be 17 authorized to approve such use by resolution of the board. If 18 a majority of those voting on the question does not favor the 19 use of the revenues for the athletic facility infrastructure 20 project, the board of directors shall rescind the board’s 21 resolution for the use of revenues for the athletic facility 22 infrastructure project. If a petition is not received by the 23 board of directors within the prescribed time period, the board 24 of directors may approve the use of revenues for the athletic 25 facility infrastructure project without voter approval. 26 Sec. 111. Section 423F.4, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 27 2026, is amended to read as follows: 28 a. Bonds issued on or after July 1, 2019, shall not be sold 29 at public sale as provided in chapter 75 , or at a private sale, 30 without notice and hearing. Notice of the time and place of 31 the public hearing shall be published not less than ten nor 32 more than twenty days before the public hearing in a newspaper 33 which is a newspaper of general circulation as provided in 34 chapter 618 in the school district. 35 -52- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 52/ 62
S.F. 2434 Sec. 112. Section 441.7, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 1 to read as follows: 2 2. The director of revenue shall conduct no more than 3 one special examination for each vacancy in an assessing 4 jurisdiction. The examination shall be conducted by the 5 director of revenue as provided in section 441.5 , except as 6 otherwise provided in this section . The examining board 7 shall give notice of holding the examination for assessor by 8 posting a written notice in a conspicuous place in the county 9 courthouse in the case of county assessors or in the city hall 10 in the case of city assessors, stating that at a specified 11 date, an examination for the position of assessor will be held 12 at a specified place. Similar notice shall be given at the 13 same time by one publication of the notice in three newspapers 14 of general circulation in the case of a county assessor, or 15 in case there are not three such newspapers in a county, then 16 in newspapers which are available, or in one newspaper of 17 general circulation in the city in the case of city assessor as 18 provided in chapter 618 . 19 Sec. 113. Section 441.26, subsection 2, Code 2026, is 20 amended to read as follows: 21 2. The notice in each odd-numbered year shall contain a 22 statement that the assessments are subject to equalization 23 pursuant to an order issued by the department of revenue, that 24 the county auditor shall give notice on or before October 8 by 25 publication in an official newspaper of general circulation 26 as provided in chapter 618 to any class of property affected 27 by the equalization order, that the county auditor shall give 28 notice by mail postmarked on or before October 8 to each 29 property owner or taxpayer whose valuation has been increased 30 by the equalization order, and that the board of review shall 31 be in session from October 10 to November 15 to hear protests 32 of affected property owners or taxpayers whose valuations have 33 been adjusted by the equalization order. 34 Sec. 114. Section 441.49, subsection 2, paragraph a, 35 -53- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 53/ 62
S.F. 2434 unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as 1 follows: 2 On or before October 8 the county auditor shall cause to 3 be published in official newspapers of general circulation 4 as provided in chapter 618 the final equalization order. 5 The county auditor shall also notify each property owner or 6 taxpayer whose valuation has been increased by the final 7 equalization order by mail postmarked on or before October 8 8. The publication and the individual notice mailed to each 9 property owner or taxpayer whose valuation has been increased 10 shall include, in type larger than the remainder of the 11 publication or notice, the following statements: 12 Assessed values are equalized by the department of revenue 13 every two years. Local taxing authorities determine the final 14 tax levies and may reduce property tax rates to compensate 15 for any increase in valuation due to equalization. If you 16 are not satisfied that your assessment as adjusted by the 17 equalization order is correct, you may file a protest against 18 such assessment with the board of review on or after October 19 9, to and including October 31. 20 Sec. 115. Section 446.9, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 21 to read as follows: 22 2. Publication of the date, time, and place of the annual 23 tax sale shall be made once by the treasurer in at least one 24 official newspaper in the county as selected by the board of 25 supervisors and designated by the treasurer as provided in 26 chapter 618 at least one week, but not more than three weeks, 27 before the day of sale. The publication shall contain a 28 description of the parcel to be sold that is clear, concise, 29 and sufficient to distinguish the parcel to be sold from 30 all other parcels. All items offered for sale pursuant to 31 section 446.18 may be indicated by an “s” or by an asterisk. 32 The publication shall also contain the name of the person 33 in whose name the parcel to be sold is taxed and the amount 34 delinquent for which the parcel is liable each year, the 35 -54- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 54/ 62
S.F. 2434 amount of the interest and fees, and the amount of the service 1 fee as provided in section 446.10, subsection 2 , all to be 2 incorporated as a single sum. The publication shall contain a 3 statement that, after the sale, if the parcel is not redeemed 4 within the period provided in chapter 447 , the right to redeem 5 expires and a deed may be issued. 6 Sec. 116. Section 447.10, Code 2026, is amended to read as 7 follows: 8 447.10 Service by publication —— fees. 9 If notice in accordance with section 447.9 cannot be served 10 upon a person entitled to notice in the manner prescribed in 11 that section, then the holder of the certificate of purchase 12 shall cause the required notice to be published once in an 13 official newspaper in the county or, if applicable, as provided 14 in chapter 618 . If service is made by publication, the 15 affidavit required by section 447.12 shall state the reason why 16 service in accordance with section 447.9 could not be made. 17 Service of notice by publication shall be deemed complete 18 on the day of the publication. Fees for publication, if 19 required under section 447.13 , shall not exceed the customary 20 publication fees for official county publications. 21 Sec. 117. Section 455B.305A, subsection 1, paragraph b, 22 Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 23 b. Prior to the siting of a proposed new sanitary landfill 24 or incinerator by a private agency disposing of waste which 25 that the agency generates on property owned by the agency 26 which that is located outside of the city limits and for which 27 no county zoning ordinance exists, the private agency shall 28 cause written notice of the proposal, including the nature of 29 the proposed facility, and the right of the owner to submit a 30 petition for formal siting of the proposed site, to be served 31 either in person or by mail on the owners and residents of all 32 property within two miles in each direction of the proposed 33 local site area. The owners shall be identified based upon 34 the authentic tax records of the county in which the proposed 35 -55- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 55/ 62
S.F. 2434 site is to be located. The private agency shall notify the 1 county board of supervisors which that governs the county in 2 which the site is to be located of the proposed siting, and 3 certify that notices have been mailed to owners and residents 4 of the impacted area. Written notice shall be published in 5 the official newspaper, as selected by the county board of 6 supervisors pursuant to section 349.1 , of the county in which 7 the site is located as provided in chapter 618 . The notice 8 shall state the name and address of the applicant, the location 9 of the proposed site, the nature and size of the development, 10 the nature of the activity proposed, the probable life of the 11 proposed activity, and a description of the right of persons to 12 comment on the request. If two hundred fifty or a minimum of 13 twenty percent, whichever is less, of the owners and residents 14 of property notified submit a petition for formal review to 15 the county board of supervisors or if the county board of 16 supervisors, on the board’s own motion, requires formal review 17 of the proposed siting, the private agency proposal is subject 18 to the formal siting procedures established pursuant to this 19 section . 20 Sec. 118. Section 455B.305A, subsection 3, paragraph b, 21 Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 22 b. Written notice shall be published in the official 23 newspaper of the county in which the site is located as 24 provided in chapter 618 . The notice shall state the name and 25 address of the applicant, the location of the proposed site, 26 the nature and size of the development, the nature of the 27 activity proposed, the probable life of the proposed activity, 28 the date when the request for site approval will be submitted, 29 and a description of the right of persons to comment on the 30 request. 31 Sec. 119. Section 455B.305A, subsection 5, Code 2026, is 32 amended to read as follows: 33 5. At least one public hearing shall be held by the city 34 council or county board of supervisors no sooner than ninety 35 -56- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 56/ 62
S.F. 2434 days but no later than one hundred twenty days from receipt of 1 the request for siting approval. A hearing shall be preceded 2 by published notice in an official newspaper of the county of 3 the proposed site, including in any official newspaper located 4 in the city of the proposed site as provided in chapter 618 . 5 Sec. 120. Section 459.304, subsection 2, paragraph a, 6 subparagraph (1), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 7 (1) The board shall publish a notice that the board has 8 received the application in a newspaper having a general 9 circulation in the county as provided in chapter 618 . 10 Sec. 121. Section 468.34, Code 2026, is amended to read as 11 follows: 12 468.34 Advertisement for bids. 13 The board shall publish notice once each week for two 14 consecutive weeks in a newspaper published as provided in 15 chapter 618 in the county where the improvement is located, 16 and publish additional advertisement and publication elsewhere 17 as the board may direct. The notice shall state the time and 18 place of letting the work of construction of the improvement, 19 specifying the approximate amount of work to be done in each 20 numbered section of the district, the time fixed for the 21 commencement, and the time of the completion of the work, that 22 bids will be received on the entire work and in sections or 23 divisions of it, and that a bidder will be required to deposit 24 a bid security with the county auditor as provided in section 25 468.35 . All notices shall set the date that bids will be 26 received and upon which the work will be let. However, when 27 the estimated cost of the improvement is less than the adjusted 28 competitive bid threshold, the board may let the contract for 29 the construction without taking bids and without publishing 30 notice. 31 Sec. 122. Section 468.82, Code 2026, is amended to read as 32 follows: 33 468.82 Payment. 34 The board, at the time of making the levy, shall fix a time 35 -57- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 57/ 62
S.F. 2434 within which all assessments in excess of one hundred dollars 1 may be paid, and before any bonds are issued, publish notice 2 in an official newspaper as provided in chapter 618 in the 3 county where the district is located, of such time. After the 4 expiration of such time, no assessments may be paid except 5 in the manner and at the times fixed by the board in the 6 resolution authorizing the issue of the bonds. 7 Sec. 123. Section 468.257, subsection 3, Code 2026, is 8 amended to read as follows: 9 3. Except as otherwise required by section 468.16 , the 10 notice required by this section shall be served by publication 11 once in a newspaper of general circulation as provided in 12 chapter 618 in each county in which the overlying district’s 13 land is situated. The publication shall be made not less than 14 twenty days prior to the day set for the hearing. Proof of 15 service shall be made by affidavit of the publisher. 16 Sec. 124. Section 468.507, Code 2026, is amended to read as 17 follows: 18 468.507 Notice of election. 19 The board, or, if in more than one county, the boards 20 acting jointly, shall cause notice of said election to be 21 given, setting forth the time and place of holding the same 22 and the hours when the polls will open and close. Such notice 23 shall be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper 24 in which the official proceedings of the board are published 25 as provided in chapter 618 in the county, or if the district 26 extends into more than one county, then in such newspaper of 27 as provided in chapter 618 in each county. The last of such 28 publications shall not be less than ten days before the date 29 of said election. 30 Sec. 125. Section 618.1, Code 2026, is amended to read as 31 follows: 32 618.1 Publications in English. 33 1. All notices, proceedings, and other matter whatsoever 34 of a governmental entity , required by law or ordinance to 35 -58- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 58/ 62
S.F. 2434 be published in a newspaper , shall be published only in the 1 English language and in newspapers published primarily in the 2 English language on the statewide public notice internet site 3 established pursuant to section 618.3A and on the government 4 entity’s official internet site such that the notice is clearly 5 identifiable and accessible, if such an internet site exists . 6 2. A governmental entity may elect via local ordinance to 7 provide all notices, proceedings, and other matter whatsoever, 8 required by law or ordinance to be published for publication in 9 a newspaper should that government entity determine publication 10 in a print edition of a newspaper is in the best interests of 11 its constituents. 12 3. For purposes of this chapter, “governmental entity” 13 means any county, city, township, school corporation, political 14 subdivision, tax-supported district, or nonprofit corporation 15 other than a fair conducting a fair event as provided in 16 chapter 174, whose facilities or indebtedness are supported in 17 whole or in part with property tax revenue and that is licensed 18 to conduct pari-mutuel wagering pursuant to chapter 99D; or 19 the governing body of a drainage or levee district as provided 20 in chapter 468, including a board as defined in section 468.3, 21 regardless of how the district is organized. 22 Sec. 126. Section 618.3, subsection 1, paragraph e, 23 subparagraph (2), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 24 (2) Display a link conspicuously on the homepage of the 25 internet site of the newspaper to the statewide public notice 26 internet site established pursuant to section 618.3A if such 27 an internet site exists . 28 Sec. 127. Section 618.3, subsection 1, paragraphs f and g, 29 Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 30 f. Publish the address of the statewide public notice 31 internet site established pursuant to section 618.3A , if such 32 an internet site exists, in each edition of the newspaper 33 in the section of the newspaper regularly designated for 34 the publication of public notices, and on the section of 35 -59- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 59/ 62
S.F. 2434 the newspaper’s internet site regularly designated for the 1 publication of public notices, if the newspaper operates an 2 internet site. 3 g. Post all notices and reports of proceedings required by 4 statute to be published within the state by the newspaper to 5 the statewide public notice internet site established pursuant 6 to section 618.3A , if such an internet site exists, at no 7 additional cost. 8 Sec. 128. Section 618.3, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 9 to read as follows: 10 2. If no newspaper meeting the requirements of subsection 11 1 , paragraphs “a” through “d” , is published in the jurisdiction 12 of a governmental entity, the governmental entity may satisfy 13 public notice requirements through publication in a newspaper 14 meeting the requirements of subsection 1 , paragraphs “a” 15 and “c” , and on the statewide public notice internet site 16 established pursuant to section 618.3A and on the governmental 17 entity’s official internet site such that the notice is clearly 18 identifiable and accessible , if such an internet site exists. 19 Sec. 129. Section 618.11, Code 2026, is amended by adding 20 the following new subsections: 21 NEW SUBSECTION . 3. Notwithstanding section 618.3, 22 subsection 1, paragraph “g” , the compensation for publication 23 on the statewide public notice internet site established in 24 section 618.3A shall be a rate determined by the department of 25 administrative services annually, not to exceed any reasonable 26 costs to maintain the statewide public notice internet site, 27 beginning June 1, 2027, and each June 1 thereafter, the 28 director of the department of administrative services shall 29 publish this rate as a notice in the Iowa administrative 30 bulletin prior to the first day of the following calendar 31 month. The new rate shall be effective on the first day of the 32 calendar month following its publication. The rate shall be 33 calculated by applying the percentage change in the consumer 34 price index for all urban consumers for the last available 35 -60- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 60/ 62
S.F. 2434 twelve-month period published in the federal register by the 1 federal department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, to the 2 existing rate as an increase or decrease in the rate rounded 3 to the nearest dollar. The calculation and publication of 4 the rate by the director of the department of administrative 5 services shall be exempt from the provisions of chapters 17A 6 and 25B. 7 NEW SUBSECTION . 4. An electronic certificate of posting on 8 the statewide public notice internet site shall be delivered 9 to the governmental entity and constitute proof of publication 10 for all legal purposes. 11 EXPLANATION 12 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 13 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 14 This bill relates to local government including the approval 15 of policies or rules of subunits of political subdivisions by 16 ordinance and the posting of public notices. 17 DIVISION I. The bill prohibits a department, office, or 18 other subunit of a county or city from making internal policies 19 or rules without the board of supervisors or council approving 20 such action through an ordinance. The subunit must submit the 21 policy or rule to the board of supervisors or city council 22 for approval and the policy or rule must then be approved by 23 ordinance adopted by the board of supervisors or city council. 24 Any ordinance adopted by a county or city shall be accompanied 25 with a cost analysis that presents the cost to taxpayers and 26 businesses and other economic impacts of the ordinance. This 27 information shall be made accessible to the public on the 28 official internet site of the county or city. 29 The bill applies to all policies, rules, and ordinances 30 adopted or implemented on or after the effective date of this 31 division of the bill. 32 DIVISION II. The bill requires a governmental entity, as 33 defined in the bill, to post a statutorily required public 34 notice, as defined in the bill, on the statewide public notice 35 -61- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 61/ 62
S.F. 2434 internet site. 1 The bill amends sections throughout the Code that require 2 the publication of public notice to require the notice to be 3 posted consistent with the requirements of the bill. 4 -62- LSB 5337SV (2) 91 ms/js 62/ 62