Legislative Report

The 1975 session of the Iowa Legislature was a very active session for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. During this past session of the Iowa Legislature, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission placed emphasis on increased appropriations for the operation of the agency. To achieve this goal, there was active participation from the Governor's office, members of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, staff members of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, and many members of the Iowa Legislature.

The 1975 session of the Iowa Legislature ended with the Legislature approving a total of $266,530 for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. This appropriation was approved by both houses of the Legislature and finalized during the week of June 16, 1975.

This appropriation did provide funding for the addition of two investigators to the staff of the Commission to process charges which allege discrimination. These additional investigators will bring the total number of investigators who are paid from state funds to five. The $266,530 appropriation was allocated to be spent in the following manner: $199,095 for employees' salaries and wages and fringe benefits; $14,390 for travel and subsistence; $16,150 for office supplies and expenses; $4,520 for printing and binding; $4,700 for telephone and telegraph; $675 for equipment; $10,000 for hearing and litigation expense; $10,000 for Commissioner per diem, and $7,000 for the purchase of two compact vehicles. This appropriation was an increase over the $212,380 which was appropriated to the Commission for its operations in fiscal year 1975.

The fiscal year 1976 appropriation was a result of the positive efforts of the Governor and his staff, members of the Iowa Legislature, several interested individuals and groups, members of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, and the staff of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. It should be emphasized that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission was one of the agencies which received an increased appropriation to add some additional staff during a year of economic recession and fiscal restraint.