The Iowa Public Information Board
In re the Matter of: Tim Lane, Complainant And Concerning: Office of the Governor, Respondent |
Case Number: 25FC:0110 Dismissal Order
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COMES NOW, Alexander Lee, Agency Counsel for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Dismissal Order:
On August 18, 2025, Tim Lane filed formal complaint 25FC:0110, alleging that the Office of the Governor violated Iowa Code Chapters 21 and 22.
Facts
On August 18, 2025, Tim Lane filed formal complaint 25FC:0110, alleging the unauthorized or unlawful disclosure of certain personnel information related to a state employee by the Iowa Lieutenant Governor during a Scott County Republican Party event held in July 2025. According to Lane, the Lieutenant Governor made the alleged disclosure to at least one other official present at the event, though the information may have been shared further.
Lane alleges that this disclosure may have violated the employee’s due process rights, and that the information was “not subject to prior disclosure . . . under the Iowa open records law or open meetings law.” Lane has confirmed that the sole respondent for his complaint is the Iowa Governor’s Office, and other officials named in his complaint were included as potential witnesses.
Applicable Law
“The [Iowa Public Information Board] shall not have jurisdiction over the judicial or legislative branches of state government or any entity, officer, or, employee of those branches, or over the governor or the office of the governor.” Iowa Code § 23.12.
Analysis
Pursuant to Iowa Code § 23.12, the Iowa Public Information Board lacks jurisdiction to review complaints against to “the governor or the office of the governor.” Because the case is facially outside IPIB’s jurisdiction, Iowa Code § 23.8(2) requires dismissal without further review.
Conclusion
Iowa Code § 23.8 requires that a complaint be within the IPIB’s jurisdiction, appear legally sufficient, and have merit before the IPIB accepts a complaint. Following a review of the allegations on their face, it is found that this complaint does not meet those requirements.
IPIB lacks jurisdiction to review complaints against the Iowa Governor’s Office.
IT IS SO ORDERED: Formal complaint 25FC:0110 is dismissed as it is outside IPIB’s jurisdiction pursuant to Iowa Code § 23.8(2) and Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(2)(b).
Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(3), the IPIB may “delegate acceptance or dismissal of a complaint to the executive director, subject to review by the board.” The IPIB will review this Order on September 18, 2025. Pursuant to IPIB rule 497-2.1(4), the parties will be notified in writing of its decision.
By the IPIB Agency Counsel,
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Alexander Lee, J.D.
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
This document was sent on August 21, 2025, to:
Tim Lane, Complainant