Amendment S-5134 to HF 2618

Filed March 24, 2026 in the Senate by

In plain words

AI summary This amendment replaces the entire bill and changes the "smart planning" principles from focusing on sustainability and community character to focusing on economic growth, property rights, and public safety. It also updates requirements for local comprehensive plans to prioritize expanding housing supply, growing business opportunities, and reducing tax burdens.¹

What it changes

1. By striking everything after the enacting clause and inserting: “Section
2. Section 18B.1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows: 18B.1 Iowa smart planning principles. State The general assembly finds that it has a duty to maintain healthy oversight over planning, zoning, development, and resource management decisions made by state agencies, local governments, and other public entities to ensure the protection of individual rights and proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Therefore, state agencies, local governments, and other public entities shall consider and may apply the following principles during deliberation of all appropriate planning, zoning, development, and resource management decisions, except that nothing in this section shall be construed to expand the eminent domain authority of a state agency, local government, or other public entity beyond that which is authorized under chapter 6A or 6B :
3. Collaboration Investment . Governmental, community, private sector entity, and individual stakeholders, including those outside the jurisdiction of the entity, are encouraged to be involved in and provide comment during deliberation of planning, zoning, development, and resource management decisions and during implementation of such decisions. The state agency, local government, or other public entity is encouraged to develop and implement a strategy to facilitate such participation increase nongovernmental investment and development to provide residents with safe, cost-effective, and high-quality housing, jobs, amenities, and communities .
4. Efficiency, transparency, and consistency cost savings, and tax relief . Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should be undertaken to provide efficient , and transparent , and consistent outcomes. Individuals, communities, regions, and governmental entities should share in the responsibility to promote the equitable distribution of development benefits and costs governmental processes, reduce government spending, and decrease taxpayer burdens for those who live in, work in, and visit the community. Governmental entities should consider consolidation to reduce duplicative services and improve efficiency .
5. Clean, renewable, and efficient energy Energy production . Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should be undertaken to promote clean and renewable energy use and increased energy efficiency production that results in lower consumer costs .
6. Occupational diversity Business, employment, and entrepreneurial growth . Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote increased diversity of employment and business opportunities, promote access to education and training, and expand entrepreneurial opportunities , and promote the establishment of businesses in locations near existing housing, infrastructure, and transportation . Governmental entities should eliminate land development regulations that create barriers to starting or operating a business and obtaining employment.
7. Revitalization Public safety . Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should facilitate the revitalization of established town centers and neighborhoods by promoting development that conserves land, protects historic resources, promotes pedestrian accessibility, and integrates different uses of property. Remediation and reuse of existing sites, structures, and infrastructure is preferred over new construction in undeveloped areas promote quick emergency response times, active local business districts, and investments into commercial and residential property that increase public safety. Governmental entities should adopt other policies to increase public safety, including maintaining residential areas and vital infrastructure, adequately funding and supporting law enforcement and first responders, and collaborating with state and federal law enforcement agencies .
8. Housing diversity supply and affordability . Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should expand new housing opportunities, encourage diversity in the types of available housing, including but not limited to market rate housing, workforce housing, starter homes, multifamily housing, accessory dwelling units, manufactured housing, townhomes, and apartments, and support the rehabilitation of existing housing , and promote the location of housing near public transportation and employment centers . Governmental entities should eliminate regulatory barriers to housing expansion, promote policies that decrease housing costs, and encourage creative, efficient, and cost-effective land use for housing purposes.
9. Community character Property rights . Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote activities and development that are consistent with the character and architectural style of the community and should respond to local values regarding the physical character of the community property rights, including a property owner’s right to maintain and improve property without unnecessary and burdensome governmental or community interference .
10. Natural resources , water quality, and agricultural protection. Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should emphasize protection, preservation, and restoration the conservation and improvement of natural resources, water quality, while also supporting agricultural land , and cultural and historic landscapes, and should increase the availability of open spaces and recreational facilities and the responsible use of Iowa’s natural resources .
11. Sustainable design development . Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote developments , buildings, and infrastructure that utilize sustainable design and construction standards and conserve natural resources by reducing waste and pollution through efficient use of land, energy, water, air, and materials that expand on prior developments and offer the community continued reinvestment opportunities, including through housing, employment, or amenities within or near the community that prioritize population growth .
12. Transportation diversity . Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should promote expanded safe and economical transportation options systems for residents of the community. Consideration should be given to transportation options policies that maximize mobility, reduce congestion, conserve fuel, and improve air quality reduce transportation costs, prioritize methods of transportation used by the community, and remove unnecessary land development regulations that limit transportation access and parking availability . Sec.
13. Section 18B.2, subsection 2, paragraphs a, f, h, and i, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: a. Information relating to public nongovernmental participation during the creation of the comprehensive plan or land development regulations, including documentation of the public nongovernmental participation process, a compilation of objectives, policies, and goals identified in the public comment received, and identification of the groups or individuals comprising any work groups or committees that were created to assist the planning and zoning commission or other appropriate decision-making body of the municipality. f. Objectives, policies, and programs to guide the future development of a safe, convenient, efficient, and economical transportation system. Plans for such a transportation system may be coordinated with state and regional transportation plans and take into consideration the need for diverse modes of transportation, accessibility, improved air quality, and interconnectivity of the various modes of transportation. However, a municipality shall give first priority to safe and economical transportation options. h. Objectives, policies, and programs addressing preservation and protection improving water quality and conserving and promoting the responsible use of agricultural and natural resources. i. Objectives, policies, and programs to assist future development of educational facilities, cemeteries, health care facilities, child care facilities, law enforcement and fire protection facilities, libraries, and other governmental facilities that are necessary or desirable to meet the projected needs of the municipality. Sec.
14. Section 18B.2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION .
15. A municipality’s comprehensive plan developed using the guidelines under this section shall prioritize expanding housing supply, growing economic and business opportunities, and reducing tax burdens.”
16. Title page, line 1, by striking “eliminating” and inserting “relating to”

Official amendment (PDF) · In the Bill Book