SF 261 (LSB 2302XS (2) 91)

SENATE FILE 261

BY  SINCLAIR

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to monetary donations that may be received and gifted by local officials and local employees to offset medical or health care expenses, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 68B.22, subsection 4, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  t.  Moneys received by a local official or local employee in the form of donations from other local officials or local employees to offset medical or health care expenses as a result of a diagnosed condition, if such donations are made and received through the use of an online crowdfunding or fundraising platform. An authorized donation from a donor to a recipient under this paragraph shall not exceed one hundred dollars per calendar year.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Generally under current law, a public official, public employee, or candidate, or that person’s immediate family member is prohibited from accepting or receiving any gift or series of gifts from a restricted donor. Certain monetary gifts are authorized under Code section 68B.22(4). This bill authorizes local officials and local employees to receive moneys in the form of donations made by other local officials or local employees to offset medical or health care expenses as a result of a diagnosed condition. Such donations are authorized if they are made and received through the use of an online crowdfunding or fundraising platform. An authorized donation from a donor to a recipient under the bill cannot exceed $100 per calendar year.
   When used in Code chapter 68B (government ethics and lobbying), including in the bill, “local employee” means a person employed by a political subdivision but does not include an independent contractor; and “local official” means an officeholder of a political subdivision.
   By operation of law, a person who knowingly and intentionally violates Code section 68B.22, as amended by the bill, commits a serious misdemeanor and may be reprimanded, suspended, or dismissed from the person’s position or otherwise sanctioned. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560.