Meeting Public Comments

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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: Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Location: Room G15

Comments Submitted:

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01-17-2023

Linda Schreiber []

Hello Senators I want to express my support for gender balance on state boards and commissions and opposition to Senate Study Bill 1037 to remove requirements. It took the founders of the League of Women Voters 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. Thus the requirement has provided only 35 years of experience opportunity for equity. Sen. Jason Schultz 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. Facts show that women take responsibilities seriously. Women are shouldering economic responsibility for their families: 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. Instead of ending a requirement for gender balance. Its appropriate for the Iowa legislature to support and recruit women to help them achieve gender equity. This legislative action will encourage women to serve on state boards and commissions, which may ultimately encourage women to run for office in the future. It would be wonderful to achieve gender balance for elected officials. Linda SchreiberJohnson County

01-17-2023

Polly Spencer Horton []

Iowa is not even close to achieving gender balance. Those who believe that the law no longer reflects the need to push our culture in that direction and that (gender imbalance) has been corrected or has corrected itself are misinformed. Diversity is our strength. Encouraging gender balance and representation allows our states experienced and qualified people to participate and add their ideas and expertise. Progress toward gender equity in Iowa has been slow and gender balance rules remain necessary. Iowa will be stronger when women are encouraged to participate and are represented equally.Too often women's voices are underrepresented. This requirement has provided 35 years of equity. Thank you for continuing to support women.

01-18-2023

Ivy Schuster []

Recruitment for boards usually happens by asking people that the board members already know to run, which can lead to a stagnation in new ideas and a lack of diversity. The requirement for balanced boards ensures that the women that make up nearly 50% of the state, are at the table when important local decisions are being made. Our state is far from having gender equality and this is a law that should continue. My concern is that the progress of women that has been made in our state will erode over time as bills like this are being considered. We must continue forward, not slide back. If anything, this bill should be updated to include racial diversity representative of the town, city, county or entire state based on population of the affected area.

01-18-2023

Terese Grant []

I am concerned about the bill concerning gender equity. It seems that this is taking a step backwards in the role that women play in professional life. It is true that women have made significant progress, but they are still underrepresented in many areas. This current law to ensure gender equity on boards, committees, and commissions is necessary to balance the decisionmaking role that men and women play in these important committees. Please do not make any changes at this time.