Iowa House passes bills limiting state auditor's powers and access to information.

The Iowa House passed a bill that would restrict the state auditor's access to certain types of personal information and prevent the auditor's office from going to court against state government agencies. Republicans argue that the limits are necessary to protect Iowans' privacy, while Democrats and state auditors around the country counter that it would hamper the auditor's independence and limit the office's ability to oversee more than $12 billion in taxpayer-funded programs. The bill now goes back to the Senate for approval.