DES MOINES - The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women is pushing for a law that would require local governments to strike a gender balance on boards and commissions.

The commission surveyed all 99 counties and found a small share of women made up the membership of boards of planning and zoning, adjustment, compensation and condemnation or eminent domain.

Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, is championing the bill, saying it's long overdue. The measure cleared the House State Government Committee Thursday.

Mascher was disappointed to see the low level of female participation on county boards long after a requirement for state boards and commissions was enacted.

"Sometimes it takes pointing it out for people to realize it," Macher said. "Sometimes I don't think they even are cognizant of that, and if anything, this will bring it to light."

Mascher also pushed for an exemption for cities with populations of less than 1,000 that might have a harder time recruiting board members. If they can't find a female candidate for the job within three months, they would be able to fill it with a man.

Mascher said local boards and commissions are a pipeline for higher office in Iowa. She got her start in politics as a new mom serving on the parks and recreation commission in Iowa City, helping get softball fields for girls in the city.

Rachel Scott, division administrator for the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, said it is important that women are included in the leadership decisions of local communities.

Men are more likely to step forward to show their interest for these positions, while women are more likely to wait to be asked, Scott said.

"I think the chances are really great that … this could up to triple the number of women making some of these decisions in our local communities, and we think that that's going to be fabulous," Scott said.

Rep. Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, supports the idea of a gender balance requirement, but not the exemption for smaller cities.

Rants, the father of two daughters, said where women live shouldn't determine how they are treated.

"Why on earth in this bill do we create exemptions for some communities? I think that's wrong," Rants said.

Contact Charlotte Eby at (515) 422-9061 or chareby@aol.com.