Bill for gender, racial representation signed into law By Rob Polansky Gov. Ned Lamont signed the legislation on Tuesday. First, the bill promotes greater gender and racial diversity of appointments on state boards and commissions. It creates a statutory requirement for appointing authorities to consider recommendations from organizations that represent the interest of gender and racial diversity when seeking people to serve on state boards and commissions. It also codifies a transparent process for people to express interest in serving on boards and commissions and offers more direct access to membership and other relevant information about what such public service entails.