HF 989 Iowa House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act relating to animal feeding operations, by providing for the regulation of anaerobic digester systems, providing fees, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

HF 989 establishes a new regulatory framework for anaerobic digester systems used in animal feeding operations. The bill defines various terms related to these systems, including digester manure, feedstock, and digestate. It grants a state department the authority to create rules for the on-farm construction, expansion, storage, stockpiling, and application of materials associated with anaerobic digesters. These regulations aim to manage organic materials originating from animal feeding operations, and the bill also provides for fees and applicable penalties.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 7, 2025 Last action Mar 10, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Reprinted · 7 edits
MODERATE
The bill was reprinted from its original introduction to a revised version, incorporating substantive amendments to the definitions and scope of anaerobic digester system regulation. Key changes include expanded definitions of digester structures, updated criteria for what constitutes a digester system, and clarifications on manure classification and storage requirements. These changes aim to provide clearer regulatory guidance for agricultural operations using anaerobic digesters.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include additional types of structures and materials under the anaerobic digester system definition, including liquid digester storage structures and various stockpile types. The definition of 'digester manure' was added as a new category, and the scope now more explicitly covers both on-farm and off-farm organic materials used in digestion processes.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'Anaerobic digester system' was expanded to include liquid digester storage structures, dry digester manure stockpiles, and various digestate storage options, making the regulatory framework more comprehensive.

New definition of 'Digester manure' was added to specifically cover manure originating on-farm that is stored as part of the anaerobic digester system for digestion processing.

The definition of 'Digester feedstock' was updated to clarify it includes both dry and liquid forms, and was reorganized to better distinguish between feedstock and manure categories.

The definition of 'Dry' classification was updated to include additional criteria about molecular flow and mechanical pumping capabilities.

REQUIREMENT

New requirement added that covers must include organic or inorganic material placed upon digester structures as provided by department rules.

Construction triggers for digester structures were clarified to include excavation, concrete form installation, and piping installation between animal feeding operations and digester structures.

TECHNICAL

New definitions were added for 'Designated object or location' including commercial enterprises, religious institutions, educational institutions, and public use areas.

Floor votes · House Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

8113
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 100
Apr 17, 2025
D Democratic32
18 Yea 12 Nay 2
56% Yea
R Republican68
63 Yea 1 Nay 4
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
3
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Subcommittee: Driscoll, Zimmer, and Zumbach.
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to Agriculture.
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Subcommittee: Gruenhagen, Driscoll, and Quirmbach.
upper
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House, yeas 80, nays 13.
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendment H-1230 adopted.
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Amendment H-1256 to amendment H-1230, yeas 32, nays 60, filed, lost.
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Introduced
Amendment H-1230 filed.
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, placed on Ways and Means calendar.
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.