A bill for an act concerning conflicts of interest involving a county attorney.

SF 325 prohibits county attorneys in Iowa from engaging in certain legal activities that create conflicts of interest, directly affecting county attorneys, county boards of supervisors, and county sheriffs. The bill bans county attorneys from accepting fees for prosecution-related work, representing other parties in cases involving similar facts to ongoing county cases, or jointly representing the county and other officials when conflicts exist. It also establishes procedures allowing county boards to hire outside lawyers to resolve disputes with county attorneys or determine if conflicts exist, and permits county sheriffs to petition courts for conflict determinations if boards refuse to act. All court costs for such disputes must be paid by the county.