Environment

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SF 2377: A bill for an act relating to public accessibility to water sample data.

This bill requires Iowa's Department of Natural Resources to create a searchable online database of public water sample data. The database must allow users to filter results by contaminant type (including nitrates), location, water supply system, and sampling date. It mandates that all water testing results from public water systems be publicly accessible in this format, including contaminant levels. The department must have the database operational within six months of the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnhances public access to water quality data including contaminants like nitrates, enabling pollution monitoring and accountability for environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 3, 2026

HF 2511: A bill for an act relating to statewide resilience planning, including the development, implementation, and periodic updating of an Iowa state resilience plan.

HF 2511 requires Iowa's Flood Center to develop a statewide resilience plan by December 2028, coordinating with state agencies like Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. The plan must include a risk assessment for flooding and water supply changes, an inventory of critical infrastructure (like hospitals, roads, and water systems), and a method to prioritize resilience projects. It directly affects state agencies responsible for implementing the plan and local communities by guiding how state funds address flood risks and natural hazards. The bill mandates biennial progress reports to the governor and legislature to track implementation of the plan's recommendations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates resilience planning addressing climate-related flooding and water supply risks, coordinating with Natural Resources agency to prioritize infrastructure protection against environmental changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SSB 3148: A bill for an act relating to the national electrical code, and including effective date provisions.

This bill redefines Iowa's "national electrical code" to reference the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) instead of the standard National Electrical Code. It requires Iowa's electrical board to analyze cost impacts on average home prices before adopting future code changes, with the analysis published publicly. Sellers of single-family homes built after January 1, 2027, must inform buyers in writing if the home doesn't meet the 2024 IECC standards. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, affecting homebuilders, sellers, and the electrical board.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates adoption of IECC energy conservation code for building electrical standards, requiring new homes to meet 2024 energy efficiency standards and analyzing cost impacts on energy use.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill adopts IECC for energy efficiency in building codes, promoting reduced energy consumption and environmental protection per IECC's conservation focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2259: A bill for an act regulating confinement feeding operations by providing for construction permits, and making penalties applicable.

SF 2259 lowers the threshold requiring a construction permit for new confinement feeding operations from 1,000 animal units (AUs) to 300 AUs. This directly affects smaller livestock operations - specifically, those that would exceed 300 AUs after construction, such as farms housing approximately 750 swine over 55 pounds. The bill modifies existing permit requirements under Iowa’s Animal Agriculture Compliance Act, while maintaining that unformed manure storage structures always require a permit. Penalties for violations remain unchanged, with civil fines up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentLowers permit threshold for livestock operations (from 1,000 to 300 AUs), increasing regulatory oversight for manure storage and pollution prevention under natural resources compliance.85% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2026

HSB 688: A bill for an act extending the biodiesel blended fuel tax credit.

This bill extends Iowa's biodiesel blended fuel tax credit for retail dealers until January 1, 2033, instead of the previous 2028 expiration. It directly affects businesses selling biodiesel-blended fuel who claim this credit on their income taxes. The key provision ensures these dealers can claim the full credit for their entire tax year - even if their tax year doesn't end on December 31 - by aligning the credit calculation with the new 2033 repeal date. This change provides continued financial support for biodiesel retailers without altering the credit's structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends biodiesel tax credit until 2033, providing ongoing tax relief to businesses and directly supporting tax credit policy under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends tax credit for biodiesel (renewable energy), promoting continued production and use of biofuels per bill's purpose and subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax credit for biodiesel, a renewable fuel, promoting cleaner energy adoption and reducing emissions per bill's focus on renewable fuel incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends tax credit for biodiesel-blended fuel, promoting sustainable transportation and alternative fuel infrastructure as part of energy policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Transportation Funding

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SF 2356: A bill for an act relating to monitoring the application of manure originating from a confinement feeding operation, and making penalties applicable.

SF 2356 requires owners of larger livestock operations (those needing manure management plans) to monitor manure application near surface water or groundwater sources. If weather or conditions increase spill risk, they must report potential discharges to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR will publish these reports online and investigate affected sites. This applies to operations exceeding 500 animal units, which are already required to submit manure management plans under existing law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires monitoring/reporting of manure applications near water to prevent pollution, strengthening water quality protections under DNR oversight95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2258: A bill for an act relating to animal feeding operations by providing for certain air and water quality regulations, including when two or more related confinement feeding operations are deemed to be a single operation, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

SF 2258 clarifies when multiple livestock facilities (animal feeding operations) must be treated as a single operation for environmental regulations. It defines specific triggers, such as facilities being within 2,500 feet, sharing manure systems or roads, or under common ownership. When these conditions apply, all related facilities are combined for regulatory purposes, meaning their combined size determines compliance with air and water quality rules and potential penalties. The bill also restricts expansions of related facilities unless new structures meet distance requirements. This primarily affects large livestock operations with multiple interconnected facilities in Iowa.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies regulatory consolidation of linked AFOs to enforce air/water quality rules, strengthening compliance and penalties for combined operations, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HF 2117: A bill for an act relating to groundwater monitoring in the state, including the establishment of a pilot program, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2117 establishes a pilot program to expand Iowa's groundwater monitoring network by retrofitting up to 100 existing private wells owned by businesses or other entities with modern monitoring equipment. The program, funded with $100,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027, requires voluntary participation from well owners and covers all installation and equipment costs. It mandates that retrofitted wells meet specific safety standards, transmit data securely to the Iowa Geological Survey, and prioritize diverse aquifer representation. The program requires a 2028 report on results and expires July 1, 2029.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes groundwater monitoring pilot program to protect water resources, fund equipment retrofits, and ensure data safety for environmental tracking, aligning with conservation and pollution control indicators.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HSB 630: A bill for an act relating to customer-based energy, including power plants and energy storage.

This bill creates a regulatory framework for customer-based energy systems in Iowa, primarily affecting energy storage companies and power plant operators using distributed resources like solar, wind, and batteries. It defines "customer-based energy storage companies" (not classified as utilities if meeting specific criteria) and "customer-based power plants" (aggregated systems managing distributed energy). Key provisions require operators to coordinate with utilities, obtain commission certification, meet cybersecurity standards, protect consumer data, and operate within utility service areas. The Iowa Utilities Commission must establish operational protocols, certification processes, and market-based tariffs to benefit nonparticipating customers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates regulatory framework for distributed renewable energy systems (solar/wind/batteries), enabling customer-based power plants and storage without utility classification, advancing renewable infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes renewable energy infrastructure (solar/wind/batteries) through regulatory framework, advancing clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Utility Regulation

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HSB 526: A bill for an act relating to land restoration following the initial construction of electric transmission lines.

This bill requires electric transmission owners to restore agricultural land after constructing new high-voltage transmission lines (200+ kilovolts). It directly affects landowners whose property is used for transmission lines and the companies building them. Key provisions include repairing damaged drain tiles to original quality, removing non-native rocks larger than 3 inches, deep tilling soil to relieve compaction (18 inches for crop land), restoring vegetation and soil conservation practices, and designating a point of contact for landowner inquiries. The Utilities Commission oversees compliance and can order corrective actions or impose penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates restoration of agricultural land, soil conservation, and vegetation after transmission line construction, directly protecting environmental resources and land quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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