Relating to the Iowa utilities board, including the number of members, the terms of the members, and restrictions on membership

This bill relates to the Iowa utilities board, including the number of members, the terms of the members, and restrictions on membership. The bill expands the size of the board from three members to five members. Current law provides that not more than two members of the board shall be from the same political party. The bill modifies this provision to provide that not more than three members of the board shall be from the same political party. In addition, the bill reduces the term of board members from six years to five years. The bill requires a person appointed as a member of the board to be professionally qualified by relevant experience in public utility regulation.16C, which provides for minority representation on appointive boards. The bill additionally provides that members of the board shall represent diverse geographic areas of this state to the greatest extent possible. The bill places restrictions on whom the governor may appoint to the board. The bill provides that no person who has served in statewide elected office or as a member of the general assembly shall be eligible until two years after the termination of such service. The bill also provides that no person who has been a candidate for public office shall be eligible until two years after the general election for that office.