Sunshine Score
| Advance Notice | 1 day |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Not required, remote allowed, written accepted |
| Closed Sessions | 6 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Not required
Post notice at least 24 hours before meeting at principal office or meeting building; notice must include tentative agenda and be provided to news media who have requested it
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote
Public Participation
Iowa Open Meetings Law (Iowa Code § 21.1 et seq.) does not mandate public comment. Governmental bodies may allow or restrict comment at their discretion. No statutory floor for public participation.
Virtual Meetings
Required under Iowa Code § 21.8 (2023 amendments); governmental bodies must provide electronic meeting options including teleconference, virtual meetings, and hybrid formats. Remote members are considered present and count toward quorum.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Not required
Content requirements: date, time, place, members present, motions made, votes on each motion with member names upon request (Iowa Code § 21.3)
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Scope
This law applies to:
Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)
Accessibility & Language Access
ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.
Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.