Environment

passed · Iowa · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 2104: A bill for an act relating to the exercise of eminent domain for carbon oxide pipelines, and including applicability and effective date provisions.

HF 2104 prohibits the use of eminent domain (government power to take private property) for pipelines primarily transporting carbon oxide. It directly affects pipeline companies seeking to acquire land for new pipelines by banning this specific method of land acquisition. The bill amends Iowa law to state that no person may exercise eminent domain for building or operating such pipelines, effective immediately upon enactment. This applies to all condemnation cases filed on or after the effective date, preventing new carbon oxide pipeline projects from using this legal process to secure right-of-way.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits eminent domain for carbon oxide pipelines, hindering infrastructure for carbon capture (a climate mitigation tool), weakening climate action efforts.85% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 26, 2026

HSB 562: A bill for an act creating a study committee on the feasibility of implementing wildlife crossings at certain highway locations.

HSB 562 creates a temporary study committee within Iowa's Department of Transportation to examine the feasibility of building wildlife crossings (like overpasses or underpasses) at highway locations with high rates of animal-vehicle collisions. The committee, including transportation, natural resources, and university experts, must analyze crash data, traffic volume, and animal habitats to rank high-risk locations and recommend solutions. It will also assess costs, crash-reduction benefits, and strategies to access federal funding for potential future projects. The committee must submit a final report to the legislature by January 2027, but the bill does not authorize actual construction or funding. This is a preparatory study, not a direct policy change.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates study committee to assess wildlife crossings reducing animal-vehicle collisions, directly protecting wildlife habitats and conservation as per environmental topic indicators.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStudies wildlife crossings to reduce animal-vehicle collisions, enhancing highway safety within transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife Roads & Highways

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SF 2056: A bill for an act relating to billing methods for distributed generation customers.

This bill changes how excess energy credits are handled for customers with rooftop solar or other small-scale renewable energy systems (distributed generation). Under the new rule, unused credits must stay in a customer's account to offset future electricity bills until the customer specifically requests a cash-out or discontinues service. Previously, credits were automatically cashed out annually at the utility's avoided cost rate, splitting the funds between the customer and a low-income energy program. Customers now choose a January or April cash-out date when connecting their system, but credits remain available for future use without automatic payout.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill removes automatic annual cash-out of solar credits, reducing immediate financial incentive for rooftop solar adoption, weakening renewable energy development.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes rooftop solar adoption by retaining unused energy credits for future bill offsets, promoting distributed renewable energy use and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

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died · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 2173: A bill for an act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere, including prohibitions and reporting requirements, and providing penalties.

HF 2173 prohibits the intentional emission of chemicals or devices into Iowa's atmosphere specifically to alter weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. It requires all public airports to report monthly (starting October 2026) on aircraft equipped with such weather-modifying technology, including their presence, landings, takeoffs, or refueling at the airport. Airport projects failing to comply lose eligibility for state funding until they report properly. Violations are classified as class D felonies for individuals and can trigger up to $100,000 in civil penalties for corporate officers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits intentional emissions altering climate/weather, requiring airport reporting to protect air quality and prevent pollution per bill's core mandate.95% confidence

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died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2032: A bill for an act establishing procedures for system enhancement of infrastructure, including for development of ratemaking principles permitted for recovery costs of certain investments in infrastructure by water and wastewater utilities.

HF 2032 allows Iowa water and wastewater utilities to recover costs for specific infrastructure upgrades through new "system enhancement charges" on customer bills. It directly affects investor-owned utilities regulated by the Iowa Utilities Commission, enabling them to recover expenses for projects like replacing aging systems, installing new infrastructure for safety/environmental protection, or complying with federal/state regulations. Utilities must first get commission approval for a multiyear plan detailing costs and benefits before implementing these charges, with the commission requiring the plan to include cost estimates, engineering reports, and evidence of compliance with environmental rules. The bill defines "system enhancement costs" to include capital expenses, operations, and a pretax return, but explicitly excludes fines or penalties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly permits recovery costs for infrastructure projects including 'environmental protection' compliance and safety upgrades, enabling utilities to fund environmental improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 15, 2026

HSB 507: A bill for an act relating to the exercise of eminent domain for carbon oxide pipelines, and including applicability and effective date provisions.

This bill prohibits using eminent domain to acquire land for, construct, or operate pipelines primarily transporting carbon oxide. It directly affects pipeline companies seeking to build such infrastructure through forced land acquisition. The law amends Iowa law to explicitly block eminent domain for these pipelines and applies to all new condemnation proceedings filed after enactment. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts carbon oxide pipeline infrastructure (energy infrastructure) by prohibiting eminent domain, directly limiting development of this specific energy infrastructure project.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks eminent domain for CO2 pipelines, hindering carbon capture infrastructure that reduces emissions, thus opposing climate action.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure

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died · Iowa · House Mar 2, 2026

HF 2158: A bill for an act relating to statewide resilience planning, including the development, implementation, and periodic updating of an Iowa state resilience plan.

HF 2158 requires Iowa's Department of Natural Resources to create a statewide resilience plan by December 2027, focusing on preparing for natural disasters like flooding and water quality changes. The plan must include detailed risk assessments, an inventory of critical infrastructure (such as hospitals, roads, and water systems), and strategies for prioritizing projects that protect communities and natural resources. It mandates specific elements like 30-year projections of hazards, analysis of economic impacts on agriculture and infrastructure, and methods for allocating state and federal funds. The department must update the plan every two years, reporting progress to the governor and legislature on implemented projects and funding needs. This bill directly affects state agencies and local governments by establishing a structured framework for long-term disaster preparedness.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates statewide resilience plan protecting natural resources through water quality strategies, hazard projections, and infrastructure protection against environmental threats like flooding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Natural Disasters Water Quality

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 4, 2026

HF 2167: A bill for an act providing for a buffer strip program and fund, and making appropriations.

HF 2167 establishes a state program to help landowners create buffer strips - permanent vegetation along rivers, streams, and other waterways - to reduce soil erosion, manage nutrients, and improve water quality. Landowners who enroll in the program will work with the state's soil conservation division to establish and maintain these buffer strips, sharing costs and potentially receiving compensation for income lost during their first year of enrollment. The program is funded by a $5 million annual appropriation from the state general fund, starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, managed through a dedicated fund under the division's control.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5M for buffer strip program, directly funding a state conservation initiative through budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes buffer strips to reduce soil erosion, manage nutrients, and improve water quality - directly advancing environmental protection through conservation funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2237: A bill for an act relating to the discharge of toxic pollutants associated with coal ash into water sources.

HF 2237 prohibits coal-fired power plants and coal ash landfills in Iowa from discharging toxic pollutants (like mercury, arsenic, and cadmium) from specific wastewater streams into water sources. It directly affects existing coal power facilities operating before July 1, 2026, requiring them to comply by December 31, 2029, and new facilities must comply before starting operations. The bill mandates that facilities stop discharging flue gas desulfurization wastewater, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate into waterways. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources must create rules to implement these requirements. The law aims to prevent avoidable water pollution linked to coal ash, protecting drinking water and public health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits toxic discharges (mercury, arsenic) from coal facilities into water sources, directly strengthening water quality protections and pollution control regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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signed · Iowa · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 2227: A bill for an act relating to land restoration following the initial construction of electric transmission lines, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2227 requires electric transmission owners to restore agricultural lands to their pre-construction condition after building high-voltage transmission lines (200 kV or more) approved on or after July 1, 2022. Specific requirements include repairing damaged underground drain tiles to original specifications, removing non-native rocks larger than three inches, deep tilling soil to alleviate compaction (18 inches for crop land, 12 inches for other agricultural land), and restoring soil conservation features and vegetation. The Utilities Commission enforces these rules through inspections, can order corrective actions for violations, and requires transmission owners to provide landowners with a dedicated contact point for inquiries. This law directly affects landowners with agricultural properties in transmission line easements and transmission owners constructing qualifying lines.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates restoration of agricultural land, soil conservation, and repair of drain tiles after transmission line construction, directly protecting natural resources and preventing environmental degradation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation