Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9 § 161—9.17

Depositions upon oral examination.

In Force
Verified 10/18/2026 · Next check 10/25/2026
effective 10/18/2026IowaFair Housing & Anti-Discrimination

Operative Text

Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9 § 161—9.17
9.17(1) When depositions may be taken. The commission may take a deposition in an investigation of
a complaint of housing discrimination at any time during the pendency of that investigation.
9.17(2) Recording. The administrative law judge charged with the duty of determining probable cause
under Iowa Code subsection 216.15(3) may order that the testimony at such an investigative deposition be
recorded by other than stenographic means, in which event the order shall designate the manner of
recording the deposition, and may include other provisions to ensure that the recorded testimony will be
accurate and trustworthy. If the order is made, the party from whom discovery is sought or the deponent
may nevertheless arrange to have a stenographic transcription made at that party’s or deponent’s own
expense. An order of the administrative law judge is not required to record testimony by nonstenographic
means if the deposition is also to be recorded stenographically.
9.17(3) Place of deposition.
a. Oral depositions may be taken only within this state.
b. If the deponent is a party or the officer, partner or managing agent of a party which is not a natural
person, the deponent shall be required to submit to examination in Polk County, unless otherwise ordered
by the presiding officer for discovery.
9.17(4) Failure to attend; expenses. If the commission official fails to attend and proceed with a
noticed deposition and the party from whom discovery is sought attends in person or by attorney pursuant
to the notice, the presiding officer for discovery may order the commission to pay to such party the
reasonable expenses incurred by the party and the other party’s attorney in attending, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees.
9.17(5) Depositions by telephone. Any deposition permitted by these rules may be taken by
telephonic means.
When the commission intends to take the deposition of any person upon oral examination by telephonic
means, the commission shall give reasonable notice thereof in writing to any party who is to be deposed
and to any other deponent. Such notice shall contain all other information required by subrule 9.18(1) and
shall state that the telephone conference will be arranged and paid for by the commission. No part of the
expense for telephone service shall be taxed as costs.
If the commission desires to present exhibits to the witness during the deposition, copies shall be sent to
the deponent and any party who is to be deposed, prior to the taking of the deposition.
Nothing in this rule shall prohibit a party from whom the discovery is sought or counsel for that party
or for the deponent from being in the presence of the deponent when the deposition is taken.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9 § 161—9.17 governs how the Iowa Civil Rights Commission may conduct oral depositions during active housing discrimination investigations. The rule sets out when depositions can occur, how they may be recorded (including by non-stenographic or telephonic means), where they must take place (generally within Iowa, with certain parties required to appear in Polk County), and what happens if a commission official fails to show up for a scheduled deposition. It also establishes that telephone depositions are permitted, with the commission responsible for arranging and covering the cost of the phone conference.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 18, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9 § 161—9.17, property owners and managers who are parties to a housing discrimination investigation may be required to submit to an oral deposition during the pendency of that investigation. Compliant operators generally keep track of any deposition notices received, note that certain parties may be required to appear in Polk County, and understand that they or their counsel may arrange for a stenographic transcript at their own expense even if the commission uses another recording method. When a deposition is conducted by telephone, the commission is responsible for arranging and paying for the call, and parties retain the right to be physically present with the deponent.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9 § 161—9.17 provides procedural protections for individuals involved in housing discrimination investigations, including rules about where depositions can be held and how they are recorded. If a commission official fails to appear at a properly noticed deposition, the presiding officer has authority to order the commission to reimburse the attending party for reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have not been respected may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Iowa Civil Rights Commission procedures.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 18, 2026
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References Out

No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.7
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.10
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.7
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.16
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.14
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.17
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.9
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.12
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.16
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.14
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.10
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.8
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.13
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.8
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.18
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.16
Iowa Admin. Code r. 161—9.16

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