Defend Transparent Lawmaking

Public Pledge to Uphold Transparent Lawmaking in Iowa While serving in public office, I commit to the following: 1. I will not participate in the American Legislative Exchange Council or any affiliated task forces, conferences, or private policy-drafting activities involving corporate participation alongside legislators. 2. I will not accept campaign contributions, gifts, travel support, or other financial benefits from ALEC itself, and I will exercise heightened scrutiny to avoid accepting funds connected to entities sponsoring ALEC policy-drafting activities related to legislation before me. 3. If I introduce or support legislation based in whole or in part on externally drafted model legislation, I will publicly disclose the originating organization(s). 4. I will support legislative rules or statutory reforms that strengthen transparency, disclosure, and ethical safeguards when private entities participate in shaping public legislation. Each element of this pledge reflects existing obligations under Iowa Code Chapter 68A, including the duty to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety, and to preserve public confidence in the integrity of the Iowa Legislature. ⸻ These commitments do not impose new ethical burdens. They clarify and reinforce responsibilities Iowa legislators already carry under state law, while protecting both lawmakers and voters from structural conflicts that erode trust in democratic institutions. I respectfully request a written response stating whether you will sign and publicly release this pledge. If you choose not to do so, I ask that you explain your reasoning so constituents may understand your position. If no response is provided, I will assume you decline to make this commitment. Thank you for your time and for your service to the people of Iowa.