Iowa Senate Bill SSB1143

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/23
• Refer: 2/8/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the sunset of boards and governmental entities.

Impact

The bill could have significant implications for how Iowa state government operates, particularly concerning the oversight and longevity of governmental boards. By instituting mandatory dissolution dates, the legislation encourages a culture of accountability and ensures that boards do not operate indefinitely without evaluation. This is important for taxpayer interests and resource allocation, as boards may continue to function without clear objectives or results if not periodically reassessed.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1143, introduced to enhance accountability within Iowa's governmental structure, mandates that any newly established boards by the legislature will now include a dissolution date no later than five years from their establishment. Additionally, the bill specifies that executive orders issued by the governor to create any governmental entities must incorporate a dissolution date to ensure timely review and accountability. This legislative measure aims to streamline governance by regularly assessing the efficacy of boards and entities in fulfilling their purposes.

Contention

Despite its potential merits, there may be points of contention surrounding SSB1143. Critics could argue that the dissolution requirements may hinder the effectiveness of boards that genuinely need sustained effort over more than five years to fulfill their mandates. Concerns about whether the dissolution dates could lead to premature closures of boards or entities that serve essential functions might arise, particularly if the criteria for their evaluations and failures are not well defined or understood.

Notable_points

The introduction of SSB1143 reflects a growing trend in state governance aiming toward more dynamic oversight mechanisms for public entities. As such, the bill's passage may indicate a shift towards ensuring that state governance evolves in accordance with changing social and economic landscapes. Lawmakers might need to carefully assess how this bill interacts with existing laws governing administrative functions to prevent any unintentional disruptions to ongoing services.