Sen. Doug Campbell

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 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.