IA SF229

Converts the Office of Consumer Advocate from a division of the Department of Justice to an independent state agency, though it remains located at the same location as the Iowa Utilities Commission

Changes the appointment process so the governor (rather than the attorney general) appoints the consumer advocate from a list of three candidates submitted by a committee of the secretary of agriculture, auditor of state, and treasurer of state, subject to Senate confirmation

Establishes a five-year term for the consumer advocate and requires regular reporting to the committee of the secretary of agriculture, auditor of state, and treasurer of state regarding office activities

Transfers authority to set the consumer advocate's salary from the attorney general to the governor, and transfers hiring authority for office staff from the attorney general to the consumer advocate

Terminates the term of the current consumer advocate upon the effective date of the act