Des Moines, IA- Lawmakers in the Iowa House are working on changes to a Senate bill that would let state agencies refuse to release information to the state auditor’s office.
Radio Iowa reports that Republican Representative Michael Bergan of Dorchester says the bill, as currently written, could endanger federal funding for state government agencies. “I recognize there might be some challenges with the language the way it is,” Bergan says. “We are certainly open to some amendments on how we can correct some of those issues.”
A lobbyist for the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants said that the bill would impact the ability of private CPAs to conduct audits of Iowa cities and counties. The bill is scheduled for a House Committee debate Thursday, March 30th.
Senate Republicans say the bill would protect the privacy of things such as income tax returns while allowing the auditor’s office access to relevant information for an audit.
Democratic Representative Amy Nielsen of North Liberty said that Republicans are trying to limit the authority of State Auditor Rob Sand, who is the only Democrat currently holding statewide office. “I think that this bill is crazy inappropriate for us to be even looking at,” Nielsen says. “…We’re picking on the person in the office, not the office with this bill.”
Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton replied, “This has nothing to do with the individual holding the current office, from my personal perspective,” Kaufmann says. “…I think there’s been a lot of points brought up by the auditor’s office and I think there have been some conversations about some language changes and I look forward to working with everyone.”
State Auditor Rob Sand said House members are giving his office an opportunity to have input on proposed changes to the bill and is hopeful they can come up with a reasonable alternative.
Sand has said the legislation passed by the senate would limit his office’s ability to investigate allegations of fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer money.
