Environment

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 ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits toxic discharges (mercury, arsenic) from coal facilities into water sources, directly strengthening water quality protections and pollution control regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

signed · Iowa · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 2227: A bill for an act relating to land restoration following the initial construction of electric transmission lines, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2227 requires electric transmission owners to restore agricultural lands to their pre-construction condition after building high-voltage transmission lines (200 kV or more) approved on or after July 1, 2022. Specific requirements include repairing damaged underground drain tiles to original specifications, removing non-native rocks larger than three inches, deep tilling soil to alleviate compaction (18 inches for crop land, 12 inches for other agricultural land), and restoring soil conservation features and vegetation. The Utilities Commission enforces these rules through inspections, can order corrective actions for violations, and requires transmission owners to provide landowners with a dedicated contact point for inquiries. This law directly affects landowners with agricultural properties in transmission line easements and transmission owners constructing qualifying lines.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates restoration of agricultural land, soil conservation, and repair of drain tiles after transmission line construction, directly protecting natural resources and preventing environmental degradation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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 ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates water-efficient cooling tied to energy use (0.2L/kWh), directly promoting energy efficiency in data centers per bill's core requirement.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires water-efficient cooling tech and recycled water use, directly conserving water resources and reducing consumption in data centers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SSB 3010: A bill for an act relating to the prohibition of geoengineering activities, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

This bill prohibits most weather modification activities, including cloud seeding (using chemicals like silver iodide) and "weather engineering" that intentionally alters weather or climate. It directly affects anyone conducting such activities without legal authorization, such as private entities or individuals using aircraft or ground generators for atmospheric manipulation. The law authorizes Iowa's Department of Public Safety to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders (treated as court orders) and imposes class D felony penalties for violations, including up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $10,245 per day of violation. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits geoengineering using chemicals like silver iodide (pollution subject), directly protecting air quality and preventing environmental harm from unregulated weather modification.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SF 2103: A bill for an act relating to the cessation of appropriations to the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund.

This bill removes the expiration date for an annual $20 million appropriation from Iowa's general fund to the Resources Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Fund. Currently, this funding is set to end June 30, 2028, but the bill makes it permanent. The REAP Fund, which supports conservation and environmental projects, will continue receiving this $20 million annually unless lottery funds are also appropriated to the fund (in which case the general fund amount would be reduced by the lottery contribution). The bill directly affects the long-term funding mechanism for the REAP Fund's conservation programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMakes $20M annual REAP Fund appropriation permanent, ensuring continued conservation funding from general fund without sunset clause.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPermanently funds REAP Fund for conservation/environmental projects, preventing end of $20M annual appropriation to support environmental protection programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SF 2111: A bill for an act relating to statewide resilience planning, including the development, implementation, and periodic updating of an Iowa state resilience plan.

SF 2111 requires Iowa's Department of Natural Resources to develop a statewide resilience plan by December 2027, coordinating with state agencies like transportation, homeland security, and agriculture. The plan must include a risk assessment covering flooding, water supply changes, and other natural hazards; an inventory of critical assets (like infrastructure, schools, and natural resources); and a prioritization system for resilience projects. It mandates regular updates and biennial reports to the governor and legislature starting in 2029, tracking progress on reducing risks to communities and infrastructure. This bill directly affects state agencies responsible for planning, local governments implementing projects, and communities facing climate-related hazards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates resilience plan including natural resources risk assessment and inventory, supporting environmental conservation planning for climate hazards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

died · Iowa · House May 2, 2026

HF 2071: A bill for an act modifying the sales or use tax refund for biodiesel production.

HF 2071 increases Iowa's tax refund for biodiesel producers from 4 cents to 5 cents per gallon. The refund amount is calculated by multiplying this new rate by the total gallons of biodiesel produced quarterly within the state. The bill also extends the program's expiration date from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031. This directly affects Iowa-based biodiesel producers by increasing their quarterly tax refund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax refund rate for biodiesel producers (4¢→5¢/gal) and extends program, providing targeted tax relief and strengthening biofuel industry incentives within tax policy.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases tax refund for biodiesel producers, directly funding renewable energy production and extending incentives through 2031.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases tax refund for biodiesel producers, promoting renewable energy use and reducing fossil fuel dependence through financial incentives.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases tax refund for biodiesel producers, promoting sustainable transportation fuel use and supporting alternative energy in vehicle fuels.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 14, 2026

HF 2046: A bill for an act relating to requirements for portable solar generation devices.

This bill defines "portable solar generation devices" as small, moveable solar units (max 1,200 watts) designed to connect to standard household outlets, offset personal electricity use, meet safety codes, and include outage safety features. It prohibits utilities from requiring customer approval for installation, charging fees, or demanding extra equipment beyond the device itself. The bill also exempts these devices from standard interconnection rules and net metering requirements. It directly affects homeowners installing small-scale solar systems under 1.2 kilowatts for personal use.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill removes utility barriers for small solar devices, promoting renewable energy adoption by prohibiting fees/approvals and exempting from interconnection rules, directly advancing consumer access to clean energy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves barriers for personal solar adoption, directly advancing clean energy use and reducing fossil fuel reliance through accessible portable solar devices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Solar Transmission

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 28, 2026

HF 2076: A bill for an act relating to billing methods for distributed generation customers.

HF 2076 changes how Iowa electric utilities handle unused energy credits for customers with distributed generation (like rooftop solar). It requires utilities to keep excess kilowatt-hour credits in a customer’s account to offset future bills, rather than automatically cashing them out annually. Customers must now actively request a cash-out or when ending service, at the utility’s avoided cost rate, with funds split between the customer and the low-income energy assistance program. This bill directly affects residential and small business solar customers who generate excess electricity.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables rooftop solar customers to retain energy credits for future bills (not lost annually), promoting distributed generation adoption and consumer protection in renewable energy billing.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes distributed generation (solar) by retaining credits, encouraging clean energy adoption without direct environmental language.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

Track

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 ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates DNR to consider conservation in water permit decisions, strengthening environmental protection under water allocation law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

Track