Relating to certain actions of utility companies and the Iowa utilities board and including applicability provisions

This bill relates to certain actions of utility companies and the Iowa utilities board. Generally, under Code chapter 6A, the authority of an acquiring agency to condemn any private property through eminent domain may only be exercised for a public purpose, public use, or public improvement.21 provides that “public use” or “public purpose” or “public improvement” does not include the authority to condemn agricultural land for private development purposes unless the owner of the agricultural land consents to the condemnation. Under current law, this limitation on the definition of “public use” or “public purpose” or “public improvement” does not apply to utilities, persons, companies, or corporations under the jurisdiction of the Iowa utilities board or to any other utility conferred the right by statute to condemn private property or to otherwise exercise the power of eminent domain, except to the extent such purpose includes construction of aboveground merchant lines.1.21.22 to exclude the acquisition of any interest in property necessary to the function of a private utility or a common carrier. The bill adds a definition of “public convenience and necessity” to Code chapter 479B, which governs the granting of permits for a pipeline company doing business in this state to construct, maintain, and operate a pipeline.9, the Iowa utilities board shall not grant a permit unless the board determines that the proposed services will promote the public convenience and necessity. The bill includes applicability provisions.