Meeting Public Comments

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

03-01-2023

Julie Clark

HSB 152 is another anti BSL bill but with a caveat. Though the new language seems to be a way to appease local jurisdictions who regulate dangerous dogs by breed, this is still a preemption bill. And preemption bills aren't popular in a state that values freedom and local control.

03-01-2023

tasha Welsh

To Representatives of Iowa,In the past the Department for the Blind has been overseen by a commission of independent citizens who are blind or have the priorities of the blind in mind when leading the organization. It has been proposed by Senate Bill 1123division 13 and HSB 126 division 13 to remove the powers of the commission to appoint the officers of the Department for the Blind and put this in the hands of the governor. The commission has been made up of the blind residents of this state and this will effectively remove the power of the blind residents of this state to make sure they have effective and efficient education to make them better members of the state and their communities.I have a progressive eye condition that is causing me to lose my vision. In the past two years I have started to use the services of the Department for the Blind and the services provided have made me into a more independent and confident person because of the training I have received from the Department for the Blind. The awareness, knowledge, and experience of training under successful blind staff gave me the skills and ability to advocate for myself and other blind individuals.I fear that bringing the Iowa Department for the Blind under the governors direct control will cause undue hardship to an already disadvantaged part of the population. Please strike the changes to be made by Senate bill 1123 and HSB 126 concerning the Department for the Blinds control being removed from the citizens it is there to assist and putting the powers of control under the governor and any current or future political dynamics that may happen to them. The Department for the Blind would be best served by not proceeding with any changes and assigning commission members that will assign the director of the Commission for the Blind and determine the most needed services for the blind population of Iowa.Id be happy to speak with anyone further if anyone has any questions of commentsSincerely,Tasha Welsh

03-02-2023

Linda Murken [Story Co. Board of Supervisors]

Please consider removing Division XVI from HSB 126. This section repeals a governing structure for communitybased corrections (CBC) that has delivered results for our communities and the Department of Corrections consistently for many years. The CBC boards of directors include a representative of the county supervisors in each county in the district, plus representatives appointed by the Judiciary and local advisory committees in the District. Results include (1) reduced prison population resulting in cost savings for taxpayers and (2) reduced risk to the communities, where 83% of offenders are served, through adoption of evidencebased practices. Because most offenders are served in the community, and engaging resources in the community is essential for their rehabilitation, local communities need and deserve a meaningful role in the governance of CBC. This bill would turn the boards into advisory committees and strip them of all current duties except two adopting bylaws for its own operation and recruiting local financial support.

03-02-2023

John Shook [First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services]

I ask that you please consider the removal of Division XVI from HSP 126. This section eliminates the current governance structure for communitybased corrections (CBC). This structure has been in place and very effective in providing positive results for our communities and the Department of Corrections for around fifty years. Placing CBC under the control of the Department of Corrections will prove to have several substantial negative effects. Foremost, if approved, this bill would reduce public safety. Under the existing system, there have been proven results through the use of evidencebased practices. The local community is active and represented as CBC boards of directors include a representative of the county supervisors in each county in the district, plus representatives appointed by the Judiciary and local advisory committees in the District. The approval of Division XVI (HSP 126) will eliminate the boards, changing them to advisory only. This will significantly reduce the ability to have meaningful representation in our communities. All power and control will revert to the Department of Corrections, creating an even larger bureaucratic structure with less oversight and control.