HF 809 repeals Iowa's beverage container deposit program, commonly known as the "bottle bill." The bill removes the requirement for a 5-cent deposit on beverage containers sold for off-premises consumption, ending the system where consumers paid a deposit at purchase and received a refund when returning containers. Businesses like retailers, distributors, and redemption centers will no longer handle deposits or refunds, and unclaimed refund values will be transferred to distributors or the state general fund. The repeal takes effect immediately for the deposit program (Division I) and six months later for related redemption provisions (Division II).
This bill prohibits state and local governments in Iowa from creating rules that restrict or ban the ownership, use, or sale of fuel-powered equipment (like generators, lawn mowers, or vehicles) solely because of its fuel type - such as gasoline, diesel, electric, propane, or biofuels. It forbids government entities from requiring sellers to stock only equipment for specific fuels or to sell equipment based on fuel source. The law directly affects counties, cities, and state agencies by voiding any existing or new regulations that target equipment by fuel type. It applies broadly to all fuel-powered equipment covered under the definition, including both combustion-based and electric-powered devices.
This bill (HSB 66) expands strict liability for individuals or entities controlling hazardous substances in Iowa. It requires them to cover the state's reasonable costs for responding to, monitoring, and overseeing hazardous conditions they create - broadening current law which only covered "excessive and extraordinary" costs. The key change shifts liability to include all reasonable response, oversight, and monitoring expenses incurred by state or local governments. It directly affects businesses or property owners handling hazardous materials, making them financially responsible for cleanup and monitoring costs tied to their substances. The bill modifies Iowa Code § 455B.392 to implement this change.
HF 480 amends Iowa's water permit process by removing the existing legal definition of "beneficial use" and requiring the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to evaluate each water permit application individually. The bill mandates that the DNR grant permits for water diversion, storage, or withdrawal if the use aligns with conservation principles, without categorizing uses (e.g., agricultural vs. municipal). It sets strict deadlines: 90 days to decide new permits and 30 days for renewals, while requiring all permits to include routine conservation practices and emergency measures. This directly affects water users (like farmers, municipalities, and industries) applying for permits to divert or store water in Iowa.
This bill requires Iowa's Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to conduct a four-year study on reducing nitrogen-based fertilizer use in crop production. The study will partner with Iowa crop producers who set aside acres to test alternative products (like soil conditioners or biofertilizers) that cost-effectively promote plant growth while reducing water pollution from nitrogen runoff. Participants will receive $5 per acre annually, and the department must submit preliminary and final reports to the legislature by 2028 and 2031, identifying effective products for corn and soybeans. The study is conditional on legislative funding and will expire on July 1, 2031.
SF 545 requires battery producers (like manufacturers and brand owners) to implement approved recycling programs by 2028, targeting portable and medium-format batteries used in consumer products (excluding medical devices, car batteries, and certain electronics). It mandates that batteries sold in Iowa be labeled with the producer’s name and prohibits sales of covered batteries without an approved plan. The bill establishes collection sites for public drop-off, sets recycling efficiency targets, and defines key terms like "covered battery" (e.g., excluding lead-acid car batteries and medical devices). This law directly affects battery producers, retailers, and recycling organizations operating in Iowa, with full compliance required by 2029 for labeling.
This bill allows Iowa local governments (like cities or counties) to create voluntary financing programs for property owners to fund energy and water efficiency upgrades. It directly affects commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multi-unit residential property owners who can access low-cost, long-term financing for qualifying improvements like solar panels, water conservation systems, or energy-efficient equipment. The key mechanism is a property assessment added to the owner’s tax bill - repayable over time and transferred if the property is sold - to cover costs of approved projects. The program is administered by local governments or third parties, with financing limited to permanent improvements that reduce energy/water use or enhance sustainability.
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SSB 1196 requires battery producers in Iowa to implement approved stewardship plans by January 1, 2028, to manage the collection and recycling of covered batteries. It prohibits selling covered batteries (excluding medical devices, vehicle batteries, and very small batteries) without a plan or proper producer labeling. Producers must meet annual collection and recycling targets based on weight, measured by the "collection rate" and "recycling efficiency rate." This law directly affects companies selling portable or medium-sized batteries for consumer products like electronics, tools, and small appliances in Iowa.
This bill extends Iowa's existing tax credit for E-15 gasoline, allowing retail gas dealers to continue claiming the credit against individual and corporate income taxes through 2028 (previously set to expire in 2026). It specifically allows dealers to claim the E-15 promotion tax credit for the full tax year, even if their tax year doesn't align with calendar years. The extension also preserves eligibility for the E-85 promotion tax credit when a dealer claims the E-15 credit in the same year. This change directly affects retail gasoline dealers who sell E-15 fuel, providing continued tax relief for their business operations.
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.
