7E.4 Definitions and terminology for executive branch organization.

In statutory references and administrative usage, the following terminology and definitions shall be used as guidelines for the terminology applicable to state governmental structure and organization to the extent practicable:

1. “Authority” means a body with independent power to issue and sell bonds.

2. a. “Board” means a policymaking or rulemaking body that has the power to hear contested cases.

b. “Board” includes a professional licensing board which sets standards of professional competence and conduct for the profession or occupation under its supervision, which may prepare and grade the examinations of prospective new practitioners when authorized by law, which may issue licenses when authorized by law, which investigates complaints of alleged unprofessional conduct, and which performs other functions assigned to it by law.

3. “Commission” means a policymaking body that has rulemaking powers.

4. “Committee” means a part-time body appointed to study a specific problem and to recommend a solution or policy alternative with respect to that problem, and intended to terminate on the completion of its assignment.

5. “Council” means an advisory body appointed to function on a continuing basis for the study, and recommendation of solutions and policy alternatives, of the problems arising in a specified functional area of state government.

6. “Department” means a principal administrative agency within the executive branch of state government, but does not include independent agencies.

7. “Division”, “bureau”, “section”, and “unit” mean the subunits of a department, whether specifically created by law or created by the head of the department for the more economic and efficient administration and operation of the programs assigned to the department.

8. “Head of the department” means the elective officer, director, commissioner, or other official in charge of a department.

9. “Independent agency” is an administrative unit which, because of its unique operations, does not fit into the general pattern of operating departments.

86 Acts, ch 1245, §4; 88 Acts, ch 1278, §21; 2007 Acts, ch 10, §2, 3

Referred to in §8A.101, 8F.2, 68B.2, 68B.3, 68B.6, 68B.35