Sen. Sandy Salmon

Maddy summarySF 92 amends Iowa law to require landowner consent before utilities can use eminent domain to condemn agricultural land for constructing hazardous liquid pipelines carrying liquefied carbon dioxide. The bill explicitly excludes such pipelines from being classified as a "public use" or "public purpose" for condemnation purposes, reversing a current exception that allowed utilities to bypass consent for similar projects. This directly affects Iowa agricultural landowners, who must now approve pipeline construction on their property. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to condemnation cases filed after that date.

Maddy summarySF 67 modifies time limits for filing civil lawsuits involving sexual abuse (especially for minor victims), minors, and people with mental illness. It allows lawsuits by minor victims of sexual abuse to be filed at any time, while keeping a 5-year limit for adult victims. The bill also creates a 3-year window (ending July 2031) to revive expired cases involving these groups, including sexual abuse, mental health conditions, or childhood injuries. This does not change time limits for most other civil cases.

Maddy summarySF 95 amends Iowa's eminent domain laws to raise the evidence standard for pipeline projects. It requires agencies seeking to condemn agricultural land for hazardous liquid pipelines (under Chapter 479B) to prove "public use" by "clear and convincing evidence" instead of the lower "preponderance of evidence" standard. This directly affects pipeline companies and landowners in agricultural areas, making it harder to acquire farmland for such projects without owner consent. The bill also clarifies that agricultural land cannot be condemned for "private development" without the owner's agreement. It takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to condemnation cases filed after that date.

Maddy summarySF 74 repeals a specific Iowa law (Section 479B.15) that previously allowed pipeline companies to enter private land for surveys related to hazardous liquid pipeline projects by providing landowners with 10 days' written notice. This bill removes the requirement for pipeline companies to notify landowners before conducting surveys on their property. It directly affects landowners whose property might be surveyed for pipeline projects and pipeline companies seeking survey access. The repeal takes immediate effect upon enactment, eliminating this specific access provision.

Maddy summarySF 37 amends Iowa's restricted driver's license rules for minors aged 14-18, allowing them to drive unsupervised to their established place of religious worship for attending services or participating in volunteer programs. This expands existing permitted destinations (like school, work, or home) to include religious locations, with the same 25-mile distance limit and timing restrictions (within one hour before/after the event). Violating these restrictions results in a $70 fine, a three-month license suspension, and a three-month ban on obtaining an intermediate license after age 16. The bill directly affects minor drivers with restricted licenses who attend religious services or volunteer at their faith community.