Environment (Climate Change) in Iowa

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SSB 3133: A bill for an act providing a limitation on civil or criminal liability for any alleged actual or potential effect on climate caused wholly or partly by a greenhouse gas emission.

This bill limits civil or criminal liability for businesses when climate-related damages are alleged to stem from greenhouse gas emissions. It applies specifically to emissions from agricultural operations or renewable fuel sources (like farms or biofuel facilities), covering gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Plaintiffs must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the business violated existing emissions rules or permits before pursuing such claims. The law does not create new legal rights but shields entities complying with current regulatory standards from climate-related lawsuits.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

died · Iowa · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SF 2427: A bill for an act providing a limitation on civil or criminal liability for any alleged actual or potential effect on climate caused wholly or partly by a greenhouse gas emission.

This bill limits civil or criminal liability for climate effects linked to greenhouse gas emissions from specific sources. It shields defendants (like farms, renewable fuel operations, or other facilities) from lawsuits claiming harm from emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide - unless a court finds they violated specific emission limits or permit terms. To override this protection, a plaintiff must prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that the defendant broke an enforceable state emission rule or permit condition. The bill explicitly states it does not create new legal rights to sue over climate impacts.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

signed · Iowa · House Apr 30, 2026

HF 2527: A bill for an act providing a limitation on civil or criminal liability for any alleged actual or potential effect on climate caused wholly or partly by a greenhouse gas emission.

HF 2527 would limit legal liability for businesses in agriculture, oil, or renewable fuels if sued over climate impacts from their greenhouse gas emissions. It blocks civil or criminal lawsuits claiming damage from emissions unless the business violated specific state emission rules or permits. Plaintiffs must prove clear evidence of direct harm from such violations, not just general climate effects. The law applies to all climate-related claims but does not create new legal rights to sue.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 693: A bill for an act providing a limitation on civil or criminal liability for any alleged actual or potential effect on climate caused wholly or partly by a greenhouse gas emission.

This bill (HSB 693) creates a legal shield for businesses against civil or criminal lawsuits claiming harm from greenhouse gas emissions affecting climate. It directly affects agricultural operations and renewable fuel facilities, which are defined as sources of emissions covered by the law. The key provision blocks liability unless a plaintiff proves, with clear evidence, that the defendant violated specific, existing state regulations or permits governing emissions. The bill explicitly states it does not create new rights to sue or seek remedies based on climate impacts from emissions.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

passed · Iowa · Senate May 15, 2025

SF 338: 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.

This bill modifies the duties of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) concerning air quality. It adjusts the timeframe for DNR's annual greenhouse gas emissions report to align with federal EPA inventories and allows the federal report to fulfill this requirement. The bill also updates administrative rule references for air emission and operating permit fees. Furthermore, it repeals state mandates for DNR to create a greenhouse gas inventory and a voluntary registry, and removes a provision requiring rules for solid waste incinerator operator certification.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Waste Management

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2025

HSB 67: A bill for an act relating to statutory considerations involving the atmosphere and climate.

This bill amends Iowa law to remove specific environmental goals from agricultural energy support and prohibits the Iowa Utilities Commission from considering climate change when reviewing pipeline permits. It deletes references to reducing petroleum dependency and lowering atmospheric contamination from fossil fuels in a section supporting agricultural energy industries. The bill explicitly states the Commission "shall not consider climate change" when deciding on hazardous liquid pipeline permits, requiring only that permits promote "public convenience and necessity." This directly affects pipeline companies seeking permits and the Commission's permitting process, shifting focus away from climate impacts.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Climate Change

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 7, 2025

HSB 103: 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.

This bill updates Iowa's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) air quality reporting requirements. It changes the annual greenhouse gas emissions report to cover emissions from two prior calendar years (aligning with EPA's schedule) and allows the EPA's annual inventory to fulfill this state requirement. The bill also removes outdated references to administrative rules and repeals provisions requiring the DNR to create a voluntary greenhouse gas registry and certify solid waste incinerator operators. These changes primarily affect the DNR's reporting duties and regulated facilities subject to emission fees.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Waste Management

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 302: A bill for an act relating to statutory considerations involving the atmosphere and climate.

HF 302 amends Iowa law to remove language requiring consideration of reducing petroleum dependency or atmospheric contamination from agricultural energy policies. It specifically prohibits the Iowa Utilities Commission from factoring climate change into decisions about granting hazardous liquid pipeline permits. The bill changes two statutory sections: one eliminates references to reducing fossil fuel combustion impacts in agricultural energy support, and the other explicitly bans climate change as a consideration for pipeline permits. This directly affects the commission's permitting process for pipeline projects and the state's statutory framework for energy policy.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Climate Change

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 ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Waste Management

All environment bills