Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — Iowa lawmakers are considering a bill that would let Iowa’s top elected officials keep their names confidential on public websites that show the properties they own. Senator Mike Bousselot of Ankeny says that after the murder of a top Minnesota legislator and her husband in their home, this is common sense.
Under current law, law enforcement officers, as well as judges and prosecutors in state and federal courts, are able to get their names redacted from county websites that can be searched to discover their home addresses. The bill would extend that policy to Iowa’s U.S. Senators, U.S. House members, statewide elected officials like the governor and members of the Iowa legislature. The bill is ready for debate in a Senate committee. It has already won House approval. Representative Aime Wichtendahl of Hiawatha says providing privacy to Iowa’s public officials is important.
Representative Dan Gosa of Davenport voted for the bill, but he says it should be expanded to cover county supervisors, city council members, and school board members.
KIWA Staff Photo
