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Council advances ordinance changes to bring local human-rights code into compliance with state law, drawing 5–2 split
Summary
Decorah's City Council approved a first reading to amend the local human-rights ordinance to comply with Iowa Senate File 579, narrowing the scope of locally enforceable protections and limiting commissioner terms to two years; the measure passed first reading on a 5–2 vote amid council concern about lost local authority.
Decorah — The City Council approved a first reading of an ordinance that amends the municipal human‑rights code to conform with Iowa Senate File 579, a change several councilors said the city is required to make by state law.
Travis (staff member) told the council the proposed ordinance removes categories from the city code that extend protections beyond those enumerated in Iowa Code and shortens human‑rights commissioner terms to two years, mirroring the state changes. "This ordinance is all about compliance with Senate File 579, and it makes no other changes to the ordinance," Travis said.
Council members expressed frustration that state law forces the city to narrow local protections. One councilor asked whether federal protections would still apply; staff replied that federal protections remain enforceable regardless of the city's code. Another councilor called the change "fascinatingly horrible," and several said they opposed the state's limits.
A motion to approve the ordinance amendment for first reading was moved and seconded. The roll call resulted in a 5–2 vote for the first reading; two councilors voted no. The vote advances the measure to subsequent readings required by municipal code.
Next steps: The ordinance will return for required additional readings and public notice as the city follows the compliance timeline set by state law.
