A bill for an act relating to beneficial use in the context of water allocation.

HF 480 amends Iowa's water permit process by removing the existing legal definition of "beneficial use" and requiring the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to evaluate each water permit application individually. The bill mandates that the DNR grant permits for water diversion, storage, or withdrawal if the use aligns with conservation principles, without categorizing uses (e.g., agricultural vs. municipal). It sets strict deadlines: 90 days to decide new permits and 30 days for renewals, while requiring all permits to include routine conservation practices and emergency measures. This directly affects water users (like farmers, municipalities, and industries) applying for permits to divert or store water in Iowa.