(Radio Iowa) – The governor will soon decide whether to establish a new committee to help navigate the re-alignment of high school athletic conferences. Senator Sandy Salmon of Janesville says state education officials believe they lack the authority under current law to help Waverly-Shell Rock and Decorah find new conferences.

Salmon says it’s been tough for Decorah and Waverly-Shell Rock to schedule games because other schools are obligated to play schools within their athletic conference.

The bill directs the Iowa High School Athletic Union and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union to establish a conference realignment committee. Nine superintendents and nine athletic directors would serve on the panel, evaluate a school’s request to join a new conference and issue a decision. Schools could appeal that decision to the director of the Iowa Department of Education.

The bill cleared the Iowa House unanimously on March 13th. It passed the Senate today by a 47-to-one vote. Adrian Dickey of Packwood was the only senator to vote against the bill.