Environment

HF 2104 prohibits the use of eminent domain (government power to take private property) for pipelines primarily transporting carbon oxide. It directly affects pipeline companies seeking to acquire land for new pipelines by banning this specific method of land acquisition. The bill amends Iowa law to state that no person may exercise eminent domain for building or operating such pipelines, effective immediately upon enactment. This applies to all condemnation cases filed on or after the effective date, preventing new carbon oxide pipeline projects from using this legal process to secure right-of-way.

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.

HF 860 prohibits state and local governments from enacting regulations on fuel-powered equipment. Specifically, it prevents these governmental bodies from creating rules based solely on the equipment's fuel source. This means state and local authorities can no longer implement policies that differentiate or restrict machinery because of the type of fuel it consumes.

HF 548 requires businesses recycling battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Iowa to complete a DOT-approved safety training program for handling high-voltage batteries, starting January 1, 2027. This applies to all authorized vehicle recyclers who dismantle or process these vehicles, mandating they display a program completion certificate alongside their license. The law establishes penalties for non-compliance, treating violations as a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,560. The bill focuses on safety standards for handling electric vehicle batteries during recycling, without altering existing licensing requirements for general vehicle recycling.