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SSB 1037

A bill for an act repealing gender balance requirements for appointive boards, commissions, committees, and councils.(See SF 136.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Schultz-CH, Jochum, Westrich

Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Location: Room G15

Comments Submitted:

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01-15-2023

Linda Schreiber []

It took the League of Women founders 80 years to achieve the right to vote in 1920. The Iowa Legislature has only required gender balance on statelevel boards and commissions since 1987. The requirement has provided 35 years of equity. U.S. Census Quick Facts for Iowa reports the percent of the female civilian labor force population over 16 years is 62.7% for the period 20172021. On the eve of the pandemic, women's labor force participation rate was 59.2%. As of Sept. 2, 2022, it's 58.4%. As of Sept. 2, 2022, it had dropped 58.4% reflecting women leaving the workforce to care for families and other responsibilities. Sen. Jason Schultz introduced Senate Study Bill 1037. He believes the gender imbalance has been corrected or that it will correct itself. History tells us that's not true. Too often women's voices are overlooked. If Iowa is to achieve fairness and equity, women must have leadership roles on its boards and commissions to achieve gender equity. If Iowa wants to be a leader, it must maintain innovation, and find ways to encourage women to take leadership roles to advance Iowa's position in government, business, and industry.

01-16-2023

Amy DeGroot-Hammer []

KEEP a gender balance requirement...do not go backwards, Iowa. If Iowa is to achieve fairness and equity, women must have leadership roles on its boards and commissions to achieve gender equity. If Iowa wants to be a leader, it must maintain innovation, and find ways to encourage women to take leadership roles to advance Iowa's position in government, business, and industry.It took the League of Women founders 80 years to achieve the right to vote in 1920. The Iowa Legislature has only required gender balance on statelevel boards and commissions since 1987. The requirement has provided 35 years of equity. Sen. Jason Schultz introduced Senate Study Bill 1037 and it seems he believes the gender imbalance has been corrected or that it will correct itself. History tells us that's not true. Too often women's voices are overlooked.

01-16-2023

Miriam Timmer-Hackert []

Why would you want to change the "gender balance, if possible," requirement for state level boards? I think it is great to have men and women on all boards to get diverse perspectives and diverse life experiences. Why would we go backward on this?

01-16-2023

Terese Grant []

I am strongly opposed to this legislation. This current law to ensure gender equity on boards, committees, and commissions is necessary to balance the decisionmakingrole that men and women play in these important committees. Please do not make any changes at this time.