S.F. 224 Section 1. Section 474.1, subsection 1, Code 2017, is 1 amended to read as follows: 2 1. a. A utilities division is created within the department 3 of commerce. The policymaking body for the division is the 4 utilities board which is created within the division. The 5 board is composed of three five members appointed by the 6 governor and subject to confirmation by the senate, not more 7 than two three of whom shall be from the same political party. 8 Each member appointed shall serve for six-year staggered terms 9 beginning and ending as provided by section 69.19 . Vacancies 10 shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the 11 same manner as full-term appointments are made. 12 b. All board member appointments made pursuant to this 13 section shall comply with sections 69.16, 69.16A, and 69.16C. 14 In addition, the appointments shall be geographically balanced. 15 EXPLANATION 16 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 17 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 18 This bill modifies membership requirements applicable to the 19 Iowa utilities board. 20 The bill increases the current number of members of the 21 board from three to five members and increases the limitation 22 on the number of members who are permitted to be from the same 23 political party from two to three members. 24 The bill requires board member appointments to comply with 25 the political affiliation limitations provided in Code section 26 69.16, the gender balance requirements provided in Code section 27 69.16A, and the minority representation requirements provided 28 in Code section 69.16C. In addition, appointments must be 29 geographically balanced. 30 -1- LSB 2182XS (2) 87 gh/sc/rn 1/ 1