Participation in making Iowa laws
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION OFFICE
The Legislative Information Office (LIO) provides information concerning the Iowa General Assembly. As part of the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA), the Legislature’s legal, fiscal, and computer services agency, the LIO has access to the most current information on the actions and procedures of the Iowa Legislature. The LIO responds to inquiries from the general public, private and public agencies, and business interests with nonpartisan information about the Iowa General Assembly. The office includes two public access computer terminals, for any member of the public to access legislative information using the Iowa General Assembly web site:
www.legis.state.ia.us
E-mail: lioinfo@legis.state.ia.us
Legislative Information Office Room G16
Legislative Services Agency
Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Telephone: 515-281-5129
LIO Publications and Services
Bill Status
The LIO responds to both telephone and e-mail inquiries regarding the Iowa General Assembly, which include providing current bill status; finding the bill numbers of pending legislation; locating information on legislators; and supplying contact information on legislators.
Session Daily is an on-line publication, which lists all bills dealt with the previous day in both the Senate and House. All bills and committees are hyperlinked for more detailed information. This publication is also available on the Listserv e-mail delivery system.
Session Summary is published at the end of each session on the Iowa General Assembly web site. This publication lists all titles of legislation passed and sent to the Governor during the session just completed. Each bill listing includes the Governor’s action including an effective date. If a bill is vetoed or item vetoed, veto and item veto messages are listed.
Educational Materials
The LIO publishes many informational flyers regarding the Iowa Legislature that are available in both hardcopy form and on the Iowa General Assembly web site. These publications include: How a Bill Becomes a Law, Iowa’s Budget Process, Iowa Legislature and the United States Congress, Iowa State Capitol Tour Quiz, Iowa State Symbols, Legislative Terminology, Lobbying: A Citizen’s Guide, Participation in Making Iowa’s Laws, The Three Branches of Government: How They Work in Iowa, What is a Legislator? What is Their Job?, and Where and How to Find Legislative Information.
LIO Outreach
The LIO staff is available to speak on the legislative process at on-site and off-site locations during the interim between sessions.
The LIO also serves as the international protocol office, welcoming international guests and dignitaries. International guests are provided with information on the legislative process in Iowa. Staff coordinates meetings between Iowa legislators and visiting international dignitaries, and assists in arranging diplomatic receptions for international guests.
The LIO provides an assortment of gifts for purchase by legislators, legislative staff, and the general public representing the state of Iowa or Iowa State Capitol. These gifts are used by legislators for fund-raisers, silent auctions, and may be presented as gifts or to individuals as a token of accomplishment. Many international visitors also receive these items as gifts.
Tours of the Capitol
The Iowa Capitol Tour Guides conduct tours of the Capitol weekdays and Saturdays free of charge. Tours can be scheduled between 8:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Tours last approximately one hour. The tour guides also provide general information at the information desk in the rotunda area on the first floor of the Capitol.
Contact
To schedule tours, call 515-281-5591, or electronic scheduling is available on the Iowa General Assembly web site.
Tours Available
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ; Saturday and Holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
Another primary source for information concerning the Iowa General Assembly is the LSA.
Legislative Services Agency
Room G01, Iowa State Capitol
515-281-3566
The LSA publishes reports, calendars, budget documents, issue reviews, legal briefings, and many other items. The LSA also publishes the interim calendar weekly and the Fiscal Update biweekly during the interim. These publications are available on the Iowa General Assembly web site and through the Listserv e-mail delivery system.
Computer Services
The Computer Services Division provides nonpartisan technology solutions and support to the General Assembly and its staff. The Division maintains the General Assembly’s mainframe computer system, local area network, and the Internet and Intranet web sites.
Legislative Computer Services
Miller Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
515-281-6766
IOWA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WEB SITE
www.legis.state.ia.us
The Iowa General Assembly web site is a source for the Iowa Legislature. Data is available on all legislation introduced, status of bills, and subsequent actions by the Governor. A current log of daily floor action is featured during session, in addition to audio links to each chamber during floor debates. Legislator listings, photos, and contact information are accessible.
Legislation
Bills are an important part of the legislative process. Bill tracking is the base of the web site. Multiple versions of a bill or study bill (committee sponsored bill) can be located. Bill versions, amendments, resolutions, study bills, bill histories, fiscal notes, and sponsor information is listed. Bill can be located by number, subject, legislator (or floor manager), committee. Amendments can be located by amendment and/or bill number, sponsor, and date. Bill lists are available on the web site that will follow a specific interest. Enrolled bills (bills
passed by both chambers), similar and companion bills, and bill dispositions are also featured. Fiscal notes and fiscal analysis of bills, analysis of fiscal impact on Administrative Rules, and appropriations tracking are listed, as well as general budgeting information, interactive budget references, and fiscal service publications.
Committees
Standing committees, joint appropriations committees, Legislative Council, permanent statutory committees, and interim committees are listed.
Legislative Central Staff Agencies
Central nonpartisan staff, including the LSA (which includes Administrative Services, Computer Services, Legal Services, and Fiscal Services) and the office of the Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman, are detailed.
Iowa Laws
The Iowa Code, Administrative Code, Iowa Acts, and the Iowa Constitution are accessible on the site, as is the Iowa Administrative Bulletin and Iowa Court Rules (judicial branch).
Publications
All legislative publications and archival records are listed and stored on the web site. A complete listing can be found on the site.
Lobbyists
Lobbyist information is also available, including a lobbyist registration form,
amendment/cancellation form, lobbyist report and client report, reception report, and declaration forms for both Senate and House files.
CONTACTING LEGISLATORS
To reach Legislators during session, contact them at their home address and telephone (call the LIO or most home contact information for legislators is also located on the Iowa General Assembly web site). Legislators may also be reached during session through the switchboards.
Iowa Senate Switchboard (during session only)
Senate: 515-281-3371, T.D.D. number: 515-281-3789
Iowa House of Representatives Switchboard (during session only)
House: 515-281-3221, T.D.D. number: 515-281-8455
LAW LIBRARY
The Law Library provides information and research on the Code of Iowa; research on past legislation (1846 to present); 50 state codes and case law information; legal journals and individual titles on special subjects; federal laws; and regulation and case law.
Location
Second floor, Iowa State Capitol.
Contact
Call the Law Library at 515-281-5124, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The LIO is available to assist with Iowa General Assembly Internet navigation and all information concerning the Iowa General Assembly.
1/23/06
Legislative Information Office Room G16
Iowa State Capitol
Iowa General Assembly web site: www.legis.state.ia.us
