HF 538 (LSB 2282HV (2) 85)

HOUSE FILE 538

BY  COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 174)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the board of parole.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 904A.1, Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   904A.1  Board of parole
 
—— panels.
   1.  The board of parole is created to consist of five
 
seven members. Each member, except the chairperson and the vice chairperson, shall be compensated on a day-to-day basis. Each member shall serve a term of four years beginning and ending as provided by section 69.19, except for members appointed to fill vacancies who shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term. The terms shall be staggered. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be full-time, salaried members of the board.
   2.  The board of parole shall be divided into panels of three or five members for the purpose of transacting business and considering inmates for parole and work release. The chairperson shall designate the members and assign the duties of each panel and shall provide that at least one member of each panel shall be the chairperson or vice chairperson of the board.

A majority of the members of
 
a panel of the board constitutes a quorum
 
for that panel to transact business.
    Sec. 2.  Section 904A.4, subsection 1, Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  The board of parole shall interview and consider inmates for parole and work release and a majority vote of the members
 
of a panel of the board is required to grant a parole or work release.
    Sec. 3.  Section 904A.4A, Code 2013, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  2A.  Designate the members and assign the duties of each panel of the board of parole.
EXPLANATION
   This bill increases the number of members of the board of parole from five to seven and directs the board to be divided into panels of three or five members for the purpose of transacting business and considering inmates for parole and work release. The bill provides that the chairperson designate the members and assign the duties of each panel. The bill also provides that at least one member of a panel shall be the chairperson or vice chairperson of the board. The bill provides that a majority of the members of a panel of the board constitutes a quorum to transact business and to grant a parole or work release.