Finding Regulatory Assistance
The purpose of the Iowa Regulatory Response Initiative is to reduce response time by state agencies to specific inquiries, requests, and demands from businesses making an investment in job growth by using a coordinated system of communication and expediting of processes.
Regulatory Assistance Coordinators have been designated in agencies across state government to work as a cohesive network that assists businesses by streamlining the regulatory process. You may contact the Iowa Department of Economic Development directly for assistance, or the agency contacts reflected below.
Iowa Department of Economic Development, Regulatory Assistance Team
Free, confidential consultation services for any regulatory topic or provide assistance in working with regulatory agencies such as identifying compliance requirements and timing considerations.
Contact Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Sherry Timmins at 515-242-4901
sherry.timmins@iowalifechanging.com
http://www.iowalifechanging.com/business/
Iowa's Regulatory Response Network
Below you will find a brief description of agency functions and a contact for assistance:
Department of Commerce, Professional Licensing Division (PLD)
PLD coordinates administrative support for six professional licensing boards regulating: Accountants (CPA and LPA), Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors, Landscape Architects, Real Estate (Broker, Salesperson, and Firm) and Real Estate Appraisers.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Glenda Loving at 515-281-7362 or glenda.loving@iowa.gov
www.state.ia.us/government/com/prof/home.html
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA), State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
SHPO consults with federal and state agencies on how their “undertakings” (e.g. actions receiving federal support such as funding, permitting or other assistance) may affect historic properties. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires federal agencies to review actions which may affect a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or which may affect a property eligible for this listing.
A property may be a building, historic district, archeological site, cultural landscape or traditional cultural properties. SHPO provides technical assistance on how best to mitigate effects from an undertaking to preserve the historic integrity of the property.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Dan Higginbottom at 515-281-8744 or daniel.higginbottom@dca.state.ia.us
http://www.culturalaffairs.org/programs/business-assistance-team/index.htm
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HLSEM)
This division is the central source of information on Iowa’s homeland security and emergency management efforts, including grant management in hazard mitigation and the contingency loan program.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Stu Turner at 515-281-3231 or
stu.turner@hslem.state.ia.us
http://www.iowahomelandsecurity.org/index.asp
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (IDIA)
The IDIA inspects, licenses, and/or certifies health care providers and suppliers, restaurants and grocery stores, social and charitable gaming operations, hotels and motels, and barber and beauty shops.
Contact:
Health Facilities, J Bennet at 515-281-4115 or jbennett@dia.state.ia.us
Food safety and sanitation inspections, Judy Harrison at 515-281-6530 or Jharrison@dia.state.ia.us
Social and charitable gaming, Sherry Hopkins at 515-281-6848 or Shopkins@dia.state.ia.us
http://www.state.ia.us/government/dia/index.html
Iowa Insurance Division (IID)
Supervises insurance business transacted in Iowa, grants permission to companies wishing to sell insurance and serves as the administrator of the securities act.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Jim Armstrong at 515-281-5705 or jim.armstrong@iid.state.ia.us
http://www.iid.state.ia.us/busasst/
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Administers environmental protection programs for air, water, land quality, maintains state parks and forests, and manages Iowa’s natural resources.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Christine Spackman at 515-281-7276 or
christine.spackman@dnr.state.ia.us
http://www.iowadnr.com/other/bizreg.html
Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)
The Department of Public Health is a catalyst for promoting and protecting the health of Iowans. It strives to improve the quality of life for all Iowans by fulfilling the fundamental obligations of population-based services by: preventing epidemics and the spread of disease; protecting against environmental hazards; preventing injuries; promoting and encouraging healthy behaviors and mental health; preparing for and responding to public health emergencies and assisting communities in recovery; and assuring the quality and accessibility of health services.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Dean Austin at 515-242-6514 or daustin@idph.state.ia.us
http://www.idph.state.ia.us
Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS)
This department licenses, certifies, or registers private investigative and private security businesses, commercial explosive operations, fire extinguishing system contractors, and above ground petroleum storage tanks, as well as overseeing weapons permitting in Iowa.
The Fire Marshal Division establishes and, in conjunction with local fire departments, enforces fire safety requirements for various specific occupancies and generally for buildings and facilities “where persons congregate,” as well as for handling of explosives and of flammable and combustible liquids. Facilities inspected by the Fire Marshal Division include licensed health care facilities, assisted living facilities and elder group homes, adult and child day care facilities, schools and colleges, commercial explosive facilities, and flammable liquid installations. The Division also establishes training and certification requirements for fire service personnel.
The Building Code Commissioner adopts the State Building Code, which establishes construction standards for state owned buildings and in local jurisdictions adopting the Code. The State Building Code also establishes statewide accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities of buildings and facilities available to the public, energy conservation requirements for residential and commercial construction, requirements for minimum plumbing facilities in places of assembly, restaurants, pubs, and lounges, and standards for factory-built structures (manufactured homes and modular buildings).
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Mike Coveyou at 515-281-5042 or
admrule@pds.state.ia.us
http://www.state.ia.us/government/dps/regassist/index.htm
Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR)
IDR administers Iowa tax laws and systems.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Paul Benson at 515-281-8966 or
paul.benson@iowa.gov
http://www.state.ia.us/tax/links/IowaBAN.html
Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT)
This department is responsible for entrance permits, agreement for revision of access to roadways, establishment of special access connection for utilities, and application to perform work within a state highway right-of-way.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Dave Widick at 515-233-7903 or david.widick@dot.state.ia.us
http://www.dot.state.ia.us/bus_reg_assist.htm
Iowa Secretary of State (ISOS)
This part of state government processes certificate of incorporation (to transact business as a corporation in Iowa), registration as a foreign corporation (a corporation organized under the laws of a state other than Iowa) and reserving the exclusive right of a corporate name in Iowa.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Harry Davis at 515-281-6560 or
harry.davis@sos.state.ia.us
http://www.sos.state.ia.us/
Iowa Utilities Board (IUB)
The IUB administers regulatory approvals needed for generating certificate, natural gas pipeline permit, electric line franchise, or flexible rate tariff.
Contact: Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Joan Conrad at 515-281-4874 or
joan.conrad@iub.state.ia.us IUB also handles complaints against utility service providers.
Contact: iubcustomer@max.state.ia.us or 1-515-281-3839 or 1-877-565-4450 toll free.
http://www.state.ia.us/government/com/util/BusinessRegAssist.html
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD)
This department administers services including Workforce Development Centers, Workers Compensation, and Unemployment Insurance. The Division of Labor Services at IWD administers programs including occupational safety and health, construction contractor registration, child labor, wage payment and minimum wage, asbestos abatement, and elevator, escalator, boiler, pressure vessel, and amusement ride safety.
Contact: IWD services, Regulatory Assistance Coordinator, Kerry Koonce at
515-281-9646 or kerry.koonce@iwd.state.ia.us.
