DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday signed a bill, SF 2096, that removes gender balance requirements for the state’s appointed boards and commissions.
“I believe that our focus should always be on appointing the most qualified people. That includes engaged citizens with a genuine interest in serving their state or local community, as well as individuals with valuable experience that directly relates to the position,” Reynolds said in a released statement. “This approach ensures that boards and commissions at all levels of government are effective and that each one serves Iowans well. That’s exactly what this bill aims to accomplish.”
The bill passed the Iowa Senate on February 20 by a 32 to 15 partisan vote and passed in the Iowa House by a 62 to 33 vote six days later.
Iowa’s law requiring a gender balance on appointed bodies was ruled unconstitutional in federal district court when the Pacific Legal Foundation on behalf of Chuck Hurley, a former state lawmaker and vice president of The FAMiLY Leader, sued State Court Administrator Robert Gast over the law that required a gender quota for the members of the state judicial nominating commission.
The State Judicial Nominating Commission has 17 members, nine that are appointed and eight that are elected by members of the State Bar Association, with two members representing each congressional district. The law stated that the representation from each district had to be a man and a woman. Hurley was prevented from running in 2025 since a woman currently holds the open seat.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose acknowledged in her opinion in January that the law was originally passed to address past discrimination.
“However, the Court cannot find the law is substantially related to any current discrimination, nor can the Court find that the law is tailored to accomplish any of the government’s other stated objectives,” Rose said. “Therefore, the Court must find that Iowa Code § 46.2 does not survive intermediate scrutiny.”
Iowa law required a gender balance on other boards and commissions as well.
The new law was a response to this court opinion.
Read the new law below:
SF2096
