Nearly 70 people have weighed in during a public hearing about a
proposal to streamline state licensing and either consolidate or eliminate about 100 state boards and commissions. West Virginia University economics professor Edwin Timmons told the panel considering the changes that Iowa requires a license or certification for too many professions and it limits job opportunities for low income Iowans.

Samantha Groark (GROH-ark), executive director of the Central Iowa Construction Trades Council, represents 15-thousand licensed tradesmen and women.

Elevator manufacturers and people who operate boiler systems that heat major facilities like public buildings and factories say proposed changes in the boards that oversee their professions threaten public safety. Pete Hird is secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Federation of Labor.

Iowans have until September 17th to submit written public comments about the proposed changes. A review committee set up by the government reorganization bill Governor Reynolds signed this year has until September 30th to draft a final set of recommendations. During Wednesday’s public hearing at the statehouse, licensed psychologists, social workers and chiropractors objected eliminating boards that oversee their professions and shifting that oversight to other boards. An advisory council created by bill that became law this summer may be on the chopping block. Bethany Gates of the Iowa Midwives Association says it’s a setback for midwives who planned to apply for a license.

Others warned elimination of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and revoking Iowa’s membership in a regional higher education board will cost the state millions in federal funding. Court reporters say the plan eliminates certification for their profession. Representatives of the state’s 11-hundred licensed athletic trainers say the plan eliminates their state licensing board and a different board may eliminate or downgrade the professional requirements for athletic trainers. Vic Miller, president of the Iowa Athletic Trainers Society, says any changes would greatly affect his ability to travel with the men’s basketball team at Iowa State University.

Andy Conlin, an Iowa based lobbyist who represents the Foundation for Public Accountability, says an overall review of state licensing requirements is long overdue.

The review committee is also considering repeal of the state law that requires boards and commissions at all levels of government to have as close to an equal number of men and women as possible. Laura D’Agostino (dag-uh-STEE-noh), an attorney with a California non-profit, says the committee and Governor Reynolds should ensure all Iowans are treated equally.

Iowans who testified at the hearing denounced the idea. Katherine Farris, the Iowa co-president of the American Federation of University Women, says in 1987, Iowa led the nation in passing a gender equity law applying to state boards and commissions and it was extended to local boards in 2009.

Iowa law lets state and local officials who’ve made a good faith effort for 90 days to ignore the gender balance requirement — and there’s gender balance on two-thirds of boards and commissions today. In January, Governor Reynolds told Radio Iowa the best people for government boards are those who have a passion for the work and she’s never felt good about the gender balance law. As a state senator, she voted against expanding the requirement to local government boards and commissions.