Environment (Water Quality) in Iowa

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 ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Natural Disasters Water Quality

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 & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation Water Quality

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 ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 13, 2026

HF 2001: A bill for an act relating to water efficiency of data centers, including requirements for water-efficient cooling technologies and encouragement for the use of nonpotable and recycled water sources, providing civil penalties, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

HF 2001 requires new data centers (permit applications on or after January 1, 2026) and existing data centers expanding or renovating after that date to use cooling technologies that limit water consumption to a maximum of 0.2 liters per kilowatt-hour of energy used. It mandates data centers to submit water usage plans before construction and provide annual compliance reports for five years, while encouraging the use of nonpotable or recycled water sources like treated wastewater or stormwater for cooling. Violations may result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, corrective action orders, or permit suspension. The bill directly affects data centers consuming at least one megawatt of electricity annually, aiming to reduce strain on Iowa’s freshwater resources.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2210: A bill for an act relating to beneficial use in the context of water allocation.

HF 2210 amends Iowa's water allocation law by removing the existing definition of "beneficial use" and requiring the Department of Natural Resources to determine beneficial use on a case-by-case basis when reviewing water permit applications. The bill mandates that permits for water diversion, storage, or withdrawal must be approved or denied within 90 days (or 30 days for renewals), with the department considering public health, safety, and conservation. It also requires all new permits issued after July 1, 1986, to include mandatory conservation practices and emergency measures. The bill directly affects water users applying for permits, shifting decision-making from categorical rules to individualized assessments by the department.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · House May 5, 2025

HSB 334: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters including county payment for district court furnishings, and including effective date provisions.

HSB 334 is an appropriations bill that allocates funds from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund and Technology Reinvestment Fund for various state projects and initiatives. It provides funding for maintenance at state facilities like the State Historical Building and Terrace Hill, as well as building repairs for the Department for the Blind and facility renovations for the Department of Corrections. The bill also directs significant funding towards the Water Quality Initiative for demonstration projects and education, and the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Fund for related programs. These appropriations aim to support infrastructure improvements, environmental conservation efforts, and economic development projects across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · Senate May 6, 2025

SSB 1238: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters including county payment for district court furnishings, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, and eliminating the sports tourism marketing program and fund, and including effective date provisions.

This bill allocates funds from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund and the Technology Reinvestment Fund to various state entities for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and beyond. It directs appropriations for projects such as state building maintenance and demolition, water quality initiatives, renewable fuel infrastructure, and community attraction and tourism programs. The bill also establishes the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Program and Fund, while eliminating the Sports Tourism Marketing Program and Fund. Additionally, it includes provisions for county payments related to district court furnishings.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

died · Iowa · Senate May 14, 2025

SF 650: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters including county payment for district court furnishings, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, and eliminating the sports tourism marketing program and fund, and including effective date provisions.

SF 650 proposes to appropriate funds from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund and the Technology Reinvestment Fund to various state entities for specific projects. Key allocations include funding for water quality initiatives, renewable fuel infrastructure, maintenance and demolition projects for state buildings, and community development. The bill also aims to establish the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Program and Fund, while eliminating the existing sports tourism marketing program. Additionally, it addresses county payments for district court furnishings.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SSB 1218: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, and including effective date provisions.

SSB 1218 is an appropriations bill allocating funds from Iowa's Rebuild Infrastructure and Technology Reinvestment Funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides $8.2 million to the Department of Agriculture for water quality demonstration projects in priority watersheds, requiring projects to follow Iowa's Nutrient Reduction Strategy, use cost-sharing (state covering up to 50% of costs), and maintain confidentiality of agricultural land data. Additional allocations include $10 million for renewable fuel infrastructure, $5 million for state historical building maintenance, and smaller sums for corrections facility renovations, tourism funds, and other infrastructure projects. The bill specifies how funds must be used, including restrictions on public disclosure of agricultural land information.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SF 183: A bill for an act relating to water quality standards, including by providing for the regulation of animal feeding operations, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

This bill establishes new water quality standards for livestock operations in Iowa by requiring permits for medium and large animal feeding operations (AFOs) under the federal pollution discharge program. It mandates specific manure management practices, storage rules, and inspections to prevent water pollution from runoff and effluent. Farms classified as "medium" or "large" AFOs (based on animal numbers and operation size) must obtain permits and comply with these standards, with penalties for noncompliance. The law directly affects larger livestock farms that could impact local water sources through manure or waste discharge.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

All environment bills