HR 116 (LSB 5759YH (3) 87)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 116

BY  ANDERSON, STAED, MASCHER, KURTH, MEYER, LENSING, WINCKLER, COHOON, BEARINGER, T. TAYLOR, OURTH, and KEARNS

A Resolution recognizing the importance of access to the Iowa State Capitol in encouraging public involvement in the legislative process. 

   WHEREAS, the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances; and
   WHEREAS, critical to exercising these First Amendment rights is the ability of the public to make their concerns and grievances known directly to their elected representatives; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa State Capitol, as the seat of government, is where each session of the Iowa General Assembly is held; and
   WHEREAS, public engagement and involvement in the legislative process through the ability of the public to directly contact and engage their elected representatives at the Iowa State Capitol should be encouraged and facilitated; and
   WHEREAS, reasonable access to the Iowa State Capitol and the grounds surrounding the Capitol provides an efficient way for the public to become involved in the legislative process by making their concerns and grievances known directly to their elected representatives; and
   WHEREAS, any unreasonable financial and other restrictions should not be imposed on members of the public seeking access to the Iowa State Capitol and the grounds surrounding the Capitol for the purpose of public engagement and involvement in the legislative process; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives strongly affirms that access to the Iowa State Capitol by the public seeking involvement in the legislative process is essential to the public’s exercise of their First Amendment rights of assembly and petition and should be facilitated and not be unreasonably restricted.