Dozens of the governor’s appointees would no longer go through a Senate confirmation process under a bill advanced Tuesday by the Iowa Senate.

Under current law, the Iowa Senate is charged with confirming appointees to various advisory boards, commissions and committees. The Senate must approve appointees by a two-thirds majority – 34 of 50 votes. That requires bipartisan agreement, as Republicans hold 32 seats in the current assembly.

Senate File 2263 would allow many appointees to take their positions without a Senate confirmation. Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, said the bill “streamlines the process.”

High-profile appointees, like agency directors and members of the Board of Regents, will still undergo Senate confirmation. But members of over two dozen boards would be exempt from the requirement under the proposal.

Democrats opposed the change, arguing the confirmation process is an essential check on the governor’s power.

...https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/iowa-senate-votes-to-drop-confirmation-process-for-many-governors-appointees/