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April 25, 2019Des Moines, IA |  By: AP

Iowa legislators working to limit attorney general's actions

Republicans in the Iowa Legislature have passed a bill
limiting the powers of the state's attorney general, citing frustration that the
Democrat joined lawsuits opposing the actions of President Donald Trump.

Attorney General Tom Miller says the bill approved Wednesday makes Iowa the
first state to limit the attorney general to such an extreme and he's not
dismissed the possibility of a lawsuit to challenge it.

It requires Miller to get permission from the governor, executive council or
Legislature to pursue out-of-state lawsuits.

The Senate approved a state justice system budget 32-18 that included the limit
on the attorney general's action. The restriction was added late in the session
with no committee hearings. It passed in the House 54-45 on Tuesday.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, who can line-item veto it, hasn't said whether she supports
the move.

Democratic Sen. Joe Bolkcom says Miller was re-elected in 2018 after joining
other states in numerous lawsuits challenging the Trump administration, showing
Iowa residents support him.

Republican Sen. Julian Garrett says the attorney general's political activity
is a legitimate concern of legislators.

Miller, the nation's longest-serving state attorney general, is serving his
10th term.