H.B. No. 609 Summary

• Creates a 15-member Women's Policy and Research Commission to promote advancement of women and remove barriers to women's equality, with membership appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and requiring at least two-thirds women members reflecting the state's diversity.

• Establishes the Women's Policy and Research Center under commission supervision to identify barriers to women's equality through research and data collection, maintain qualified candidate lists for state government positions, and analyze public policies for their impact on women.

• Commission duties include establishing center policies and procedures, employing an executive director, and furnishing annual reports to the governor and legislature; commission may hold public hearings, create committees, and accept gifts and donations.

• Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2022 and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 to fund commission and center operating expenses, with additional funds derived from publication sales and donations deposited in a women's policy and research commission fund.