Associated Press
03-25-06
Bill would give state donors anonymity if they want it
DES MOINES, Iowa A bill that grants anonymity to university donors is among
legislation affecting public access to records that has emerged from the Iowa
Legislature.
The bill passed in the Iowa House and awaits a vote in the Senate. It would allow
donors to University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University and the University
of Iowa to remain anonymous.
It would also put curbs on some of the access granted by an Iowa Supreme
Court ruling in February 2005, which held that the endowment arms of Iowa's
state universities are subject to state public records laws.
Supporters, such as Republican Senator Larry McKibben, of Marshalltown, say
the bill is not intended to keep university fundraising secret, but to ensure the
universities can tap every possible revenue source that is available.
The donor bill is one of a handful of measures the Iowa Legislature is weighing
that could affect the state's open records and meetings laws. Most would have a
limited impact on public access, but the donor bill is unique.
A check with the National Conference on State Legislatures turned up no similar
proposals nor any similar laws on the books in other states.
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