Environment

died · Iowa · House Apr 20, 2026

HF 2595: A bill for an act providing for the regulation of mining.

HF 2595 proposes new regulations for mining operations in Iowa. The bill would require mining companies to submit proof of financial responsibility (to cover cleanup costs), detailed site maps, and involve local authorities in permit approvals and renewals. These rules would apply to all mining activities seeking permits under existing state law. The bill is currently in the introduction stage and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires financial responsibility for cleanup and local oversight to prevent environmental harm from mining operations, strengthening regulatory protections.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HF 2665: A bill for an act relating to radon mitigation requirements and tax credits, including retroactive applicability provisions, and making appropriations.

HF 2665 requires new single-family and two-family residential construction (after adoption) to include passive radon mitigation systems in the building code. It creates a tax credit of up to $1,000 for homeowners and renters to cover the cost of installing radon mitigation systems, applying retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2025. For rental properties, tenants can test for radon (with results ≥4 picocuries per liter triggering landlord action), and landlords must install mitigation systems within 90 days or face lease termination with rent refunds. The bill also appropriates $100,000 for free radon test kits available to homeowners and renters through the state health department.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $1,000 tax credit for radon mitigation costs, providing direct tax relief to homeowners/renters and retroactively applying to 2025, aligning with fiscal support indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates radon mitigation in new homes and provides tax credits to reduce indoor radon pollution, directly advancing pollution control within environmental protection.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates radon mitigation in housing and provides tax credits to reduce exposure to a known carcinogen, directly supporting public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2313: A bill for an act relating to the discharge of toxic pollutants associated with coal ash into water sources.

HF 2313 prohibits coal-fired power plants and coal ash landfills from discharging toxic pollutants - including mercury, arsenic, and cadmium - from specific wastewater streams (like flue gas desulfurization water and ash transport water) into water sources. It directly affects existing coal power facilities operating before July 1, 2026, requiring them to comply by December 31, 2029, while new facilities must comply before starting operations. The bill mandates that the environmental department create implementing rules and aims to protect drinking water, groundwater, and communities from avoidable coal ash pollution linked to serious health risks. The law focuses on preventing toxic discharges using existing technology, with clear compliance deadlines for different facility types.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRestricts coal pollution, reducing fossil fuel dependence in energy sector while mandating compliance for coal plants85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits toxic discharges (mercury, arsenic, cadmium) from coal facilities into water, directly reducing pollution and strengthening water quality regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Drinking Water

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in committee · Iowa · Senate May 1, 2026

SF 2275: A bill for an act modifying the sales or use tax refund for biodiesel production.

This bill increases Iowa's tax refund for biodiesel producers from 4 cents to 5 cents per gallon of biodiesel produced. It directly affects biodiesel manufacturers in Iowa by raising their quarterly refund amount based on total annual production. The refund calculation method remains unchanged - multiplying gallons produced by the rate - but extends the program's expiration from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031. The bill modifies existing tax provisions without altering eligibility or production requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax refund for biodiesel producers from 4¢ to 5¢ per gallon, providing direct fiscal relief and extending program duration, aligning with tax incentive support.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases tax refund for biodiesel producers, directly supporting renewable energy production and extending incentives until 2031.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases tax refund for biodiesel producers, promoting renewable energy use and reducing fossil fuel reliance, directly supporting environmental protection goals.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases tax refund for biodiesel producers, promoting sustainable transportation fuel production per biofuels subject and sustainable transport indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HF 2257: A bill for an act relating to the siting and operation of renewable electric power generating facilities, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2257 sets new rules for where and how renewable energy facilities (like wind turbines, solar farms, and battery storage systems) can be built in Iowa. It requires local governments to follow specific minimum distances from homes, community buildings, roads, and other properties - such as 2 times a wind turbine's height from occupied homes or 50 feet from nonparticipating property for solar. The bill also limits noise (max 47 decibels) and shadow flicker (max 30 hours/year) near residences, while requiring facilities to meet national safety and fire codes. These rules apply to all new renewable projects proposed after January 1, 2026, directly affecting developers, local zoning boards, and nearby property owners.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes siting rules for renewable facilities (wind/solar) with distance/noise limits, facilitating development while addressing community concerns, aligning with renewable energy promotion indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables renewable energy development through clear siting rules for wind/solar facilities, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2419: A bill for an act regulating animal feeding operations, including rulemaking requirements, and making penalties applicable.

This bill (HF 2419) regulates animal feeding operations (AFOs) in Iowa, directly affecting large livestock facilities like confinement feeding operations and open feedlots. It requires the Environmental Protection Commission to establish rules for manure management, permitting, and water quality standards, while ensuring state rules don’t exceed federal requirements except where needed to protect water quality. Key provisions include mandating compliance with federal NPDES permit standards for AFOs and allowing stricter state rules for manure storage, treatment, and application when necessary. The bill also clarifies that rules adopted under this law are exempt from certain state rule review processes. These changes aim to balance federal water pollution controls with Iowa’s specific water quality needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates manure management and water quality standards for AFOs, directly protecting water resources per bill's mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2269: A bill for an act appropriating moneys to Iowa state university of science and technology for use by the Iowa nutrient research center in supporting the Iowa water quality information systems.

This bill appropriates $500,000 from Iowa's water quality infrastructure fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The funds will support the Iowa Nutrient Research Center in administering the Iowa Water Quality Information Systems, specifically using sensor technology to collect data on nutrient impacts. The primary purpose is to monitor how nutrients affect the state's surface waters, including rivers and lakes. This directly affects the data collection and monitoring capabilities of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the state's water quality management efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500k from water quality fund to fund Iowa State's water quality monitoring, advancing public infrastructure spending within state budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds Iowa Nutrient Research Center to monitor nutrient impacts on water quality via sensor technology, directly advancing environmental data collection for surface water protection.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds sensor technology for water quality data collection, directly supporting tech application in environmental monitoring per bill's summary and subjects list.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Data Privacy

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2425: A bill for an act appropriating moneys to Iowa state university of science and technology for use by the Iowa nutrient research center in supporting the Iowa water quality information systems.

This bill appropriates $250,000 from Iowa's general fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The funds will support the Iowa Nutrient Research Center in operating the Iowa Water Quality Information Systems. Specifically, the money will be used to deploy sensors that collect data on nutrient levels in the state's surface waters. This directly affects water quality management efforts across Iowa, providing data to track how agricultural and other nutrient sources impact rivers and lakes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250k from general fund for water quality research, directly funding a public service via state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds $250k for nutrient monitoring sensors to track agricultural pollution in waterways, directly supporting water quality management and environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Water Quality

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introduced · Iowa · House Mar 11, 2026

HF 2672: A bill for an act relating to solar energy by establishing a community solar facility program.

HF 2672 establishes Iowa's community solar program, allowing multiple subscribers to share benefits from solar facilities through bill credits. The bill sets specific rules: facilities can generate up to 5 megawatts (20 megawatts on brownfield sites), must have at least three subscribers, and require at least 60% of capacity to be subscribed by small users (under 40 kilowatts). Utilities must provide bill credits based on a commission-approved "value of solar" rate, with unused credits carried over monthly but forfeited annually. The program clarifies community solar does not count as a public utility or duplicate existing infrastructure, aiming to expand solar access while protecting non-participating customers from direct costs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes Iowa's community solar program with mandatory utility bill credits, requires 60% small-user subscription, and promotes renewable energy access through infrastructure expansion.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes community solar program promoting renewable energy adoption, reducing fossil fuel reliance, and supporting clean energy infrastructure per its solar facility rules and subscriber requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Hazardous Materials

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2418: A bill for an act providing for county control of the siting and management of confinement feeding operations.

HF 2418 gives Iowa counties new authority to regulate the location and management of large confinement feeding operations (those with 1,000+ animal units, like 2,500 swine). Counties can now adopt siting ordinances requiring board approval before construction or expansion of such facilities, including setting stricter separation distances from homes or water sources than state law. The bill specifically affects developers and operators of large confinement feeding operations, while exempting smaller agricultural structures under existing farm exemptions. It does not replace state environmental permits but adds a new layer of county approval for siting decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllows counties to enforce stricter separation from water sources, preventing pollution from livestock operations, directly aligning with environmental protection goals.92% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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