A bill for an act relating to public records requests.

HF 400 amends Iowa's public records law to improve transparency for requesters. It requires custodians of public records to accept written, phone, or electronic requests without requiring in-person visits, and to promptly acknowledge requests while providing contact details for their designee. Custodians must also give requesters an estimated timeline for responses, an estimate of any reasonable fees (with copies under 30 minutes provided at no cost beyond copying fees), and notice of any expected delays. This bill directly affects Iowa residents and organizations seeking public records, making the process more accessible and predictable. The changes take effect upon enactment, applying to all public agencies handling record requests.