A bill for an act relating to government bodies for purposes of open records, and making penalties applicable.

This bill expands Iowa's open records law to require certain city and township instrumentalities (like special districts or nonprofit organizations using public funds) to follow the same transparency rules as traditional government bodies. It specifically updates the definition of "government body" in Iowa Code §22.1 to include these entities, subjecting them to existing open records requirements and penalties. Key provisions include making these organizations liable for civil penalties and potential class "D" felonies under §721.1 if they knowingly falsify records meant to become public. This directly affects organizations like drainage districts, tax-supported nonprofits, and other local entities funded by public money. The change applies immediately to all relevant provisions in Iowa's open records and public access laws.