Environment

passed · Iowa · House Mar 10, 2026

HF 989: 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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates anaerobic digesters in animal operations to manage organic waste, reducing pollution risks and aligning with environmental protection goals through structured oversight.85% confidence

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died · Iowa · House May 13, 2025

HF 1043: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection, and providing penalties.

HF 1043 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, to state government entities involved in agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection. It provides funding to the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for its general operations, regulatory functions, and various programs. Key provisions include appropriations for dairy regulation, local food and farm initiatives, agricultural education, and support for a program assisting farmers with disabilities. The bill also dedicates funds for motor fuel inspection, the butchery innovation program, and the foreign animal disease preparedness fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for agriculture/environmental programs, directly supporting budgetary appropriations for essential services as per bill's purpose.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates state funds to environmental protection entities and programs under agriculture/natural resources departments, directly funding operations and regulatory functions related to environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SF 654: A bill for an act relating to wildlife, including the treatment of beaver dams, identification for traps, snares, and tree stands, maximum fur dealer license fees, and deer depredation, and making penalties applicable.

SF 654 updates wildlife regulations, impacting hunters, property owners, and fur dealers. It requires deer hunting tree stands on public land to display a department-issued identification number, with a $30 fine for non-compliance, and protects stand owners from liability for others' use. The bill permits property owners or drainage districts to alter beaver dams to protect their property without prior permission. Additionally, it allows traps and snares to be labeled with a department ID number and caps annual fur dealer license fees at $50 for both residents and nonresidents.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows property owners to alter beaver dams without permission, weakening natural habitat protection and prioritizing property rights over ecological conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jun 16, 2025

SF 553: A bill for an act relating to restrictions on the acquisition of real property by the department of natural resources.

This bill restricts how Iowa's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can purchase land. It prohibits the DNR from buying property at public auctions (including online or sealed-bid sales) and requires all land acquisitions to come only from willing donors or sellers who aren't pressured by the DNR. Additionally, the DNR cannot pay more than the property's appraised value when purchasing land from a nonprofit that previously bought it at auction. The bill applies directly to the DNR's land acquisition practices.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRestricts DNR land acquisition methods, hindering conservation capabilities by limiting purchase channels and appraised value constraints.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SJR 7: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing that the people of the state have a right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife.

SJR 7 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Iowa's Constitution that explicitly guarantees residents the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife using traditional methods. This right would be subject to state laws and rules focused on wildlife conservation, resource management, and preserving hunting/fishing opportunities. The amendment also designates public hunting and fishing as a "preferred means" for managing wildlife populations, while clarifying it does not affect existing laws on property rights, trespass, or water resources. If approved by voters, this would amend Iowa's Constitution, requiring legislative referral and public ratification after its current legislative process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly ties hunting/fishing rights to conservation management and designates wildlife management as a 'preferred means,' reinforcing sustainable resource use within environmental protection framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Iowa · House May 15, 2025

HF 847: A bill for an act relating to duties of the department of natural resources related to air quality including reporting requirements, certifications, data gathering, and rules references.

HF 847 modifies the duties of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) related to air quality. It adjusts the state's annual greenhouse gas emissions reporting by aligning the timeframe with federal EPA inventories and allowing the federal report to satisfy state requirements. The bill also updates administrative code references for air emission and operating permit fees to reflect current regulations. Additionally, it repeals state mandates for the DNR to create a separate greenhouse gas inventory and a voluntary registry, and removes a provision for solid waste incinerator operator certification rules.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals state mandate for separate greenhouse gas reporting, reducing state-level environmental oversight requirements.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Waste Management

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 19, 2025

HSB 312: A bill for an act relating to state banks’ purchase of certain federal tax credits.

HSB 312 allows Iowa state banks to purchase federal tax credits for clean energy projects without investment limits. Specifically, it permits state banks to invest freely in tax credits authorized under federal law (26 U.S.C. §45 and §48), which typically support renewable energy development. The bill directly affects Iowa state banks by expanding their investment options in these federal credits. This change removes previous restrictions on banks holding such credits for their own accounts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables Iowa state banks to freely invest in federal clean energy tax credits (26 U.S.C. §45/§48), directly expanding funding for renewable energy development by removing investment limits.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables Iowa state banks to invest freely in federal clean energy tax credits (26 U.S.C. §45/§48), directly promoting renewable energy development by removing investment restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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