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House panel hears contentious testimony on HB 215 to remove race/gender balancing for state boards
Summary
Representative Caleb Hinkle sponsored HB 215 to repeal statutory language requiring gender and proportional minority representation on state boards; proponents called the statute unconstitutional and impractical, while members questioned effects on tribal representation and reporting.
House Bill 215, presented to the House Judiciary Committee as a code-cleaning measure, would remove statutory requirements that state boards take positive action to attain gender balance and proportional representation by minorities. Sponsor Representative Caleb Hinkle said the language is outdated and potentially discriminatory.
Proponents included Patrick Webb of the Montana Family Foundation, James Manley of the Pacific Legal Foundation, doctors and other witnesses who…
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