SF 224 (LSB 2182XS (2) 87)

SENATE FILE 224

BY  D. JOHNSON

A BILL FOR

An Act modifying membership requirements applicable to the Iowa utilities board. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 474.1, subsection 1, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  a.  A utilities division is created within the department of commerce. The policymaking body for the division is the utilities board which is created within the division. The board is composed of three five members appointed by the governor and subject to confirmation by the senate, not more than two three of whom shall be from the same political party. Each member appointed shall serve for six-year staggered terms beginning and ending as provided by section 69.19. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as full-term appointments are made.
   b.  All board member appointments made pursuant to this section shall comply with sections 69.16, 69.16A, and 69.16C. In addition, the appointments shall be geographically balanced.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill modifies membership requirements applicable to the Iowa utilities board.
   The bill increases the current number of members of the board from three to five members and increases the limitation on the number of members who are permitted to be from the same political party from two to three members.
   The bill requires board member appointments to comply with the political affiliation limitations provided in Code section 69.16, the gender balance requirements provided in Code section 69.16A, and the minority representation requirements provided in Code section 69.16C. In addition, appointments must be geographically balanced.