Bills › 89th General Assembly
Requiring radon testing and mitigation in public schools, and including applicability provisions
Sponsored by the House Education Committee
Topics:K–12 educationHealth care
Same legislation: HF 2264
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 4, 2022
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 8, 2022
- Done: House committeeFebruary 14, 2022
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 7, 202293–2
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 15, 2022
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 29, 202247–0
- Done: To the GovernorMay 24, 2022
- Done: Signed into lawMay 24, 2022
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Public school districts must test every school building for radon gas at least once by July 2027 and then every five years after that. If radon levels are too high, the district must perform more tests and create a plan to fix the problem. These results must be posted on the school district's website for people to see.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to testing for radon at public schools. The bill defines “short-term test” as a test using a device that remains in an area for two to seven days to determine the amount of radon in the air. The bill requires the board of directors of each public school district to have a short-term test for radon gas performed at each attendance center under its control at least once by July 1, 2027, and at least once every five years thereafter. Each school district shall publish its most recent results on its internet site. 1 or by those district employees trained in radon testing programs as approved by the department of education and the department of public health. If the results of a short-term test are at or above four picocuries per liter, the bill requires the board to have a second short-term test performed at the attendance center within days of the first test. If the averaged results of the tests are at or above four picocuries per liter, the bill requires the board to retain or employ a person credentialed to develop a radon mitigation plan. The radon mitigation plan must be completed within two years of the first test. Radon mitigation is not required at an attendance center if the district intends to abandon the building within five years or has a plan to renovate the attendance center within five years and the renovation will include radon mitigation. However, the bill requires all new school construction to incorporate radon resistant construction techniques. The bill adds radon testing and radon mitigation pursuant to the bill to the list of permissible uses of a physical plant and equipment levy by a school district.3.3.3.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the bill.3 may be used from infrastructure and property tax relief purposes to any other purpose to be approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of both chambers of the general assembly.
Changed since by amendment H-8082; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named March 8, 2022. On March 10, 2022 it recommended passage.
- Sen. Craig Johnson REmail
- Sen. J. Smith
- Sen. Annette Sweeney REmail
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
Cost: up to $330,000 Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill requires public school districts to create radon plans and conduct regular radon testing and mitigation at attendance centers. The bill will have no fiscal impact to the state, but it is expected to cost local school districts between $220,000 to $330,000 for initial testing. The additional costs for ongoing testing and mitigation are currently unknown and will depend on how many facilities exceed radon limits.3
Read the fiscal note
Description
House File 2412 requires public school districts to establish a radon plan and complete at least one short-term radon test at each attendance center by July 1, 2027, and at least once every five years thereafter. Testing will be based on recognized national standards that outline school radon testing practices. If the results of the initial testing are above a specified level, additional testing and potential mitigation would be required within two years of the first test. Mitigation would not be required at an attendance center if the school district intends to abandon the building within five years or has a plan to renovate the attendance center within five years and the renovation will include radon mitigation. All new school construction will incorporate radon-resistant construction techniques. The Bill adds radon testing and mitigation to the list of permissible uses of revenues from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) Fund.
Background
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is produced by the natural breakdown or decay of uranium, which is found in soil and rock throughout the United States. Radon travels through soil and enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes the natural outdoor level of radon gas at 0.4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends corrective action for indoor radon levels measured at or above 4 pCi/L. The EPA has designated all 99 Iowa counties as Zone 1 for the highest average indoor radon potential.
Assumptions
- The Department of Public Health (DPH) will work with the Department of Education to develop the standards, write rules, and handle the influx of additional applications from individuals requesting school testing designation. No additional full-time equivalent positions will be required.
- The EPA suggests initial short-term testing in all frequently occupied, ground contact rooms. Public school districts will test schoolrooms within each school building. There are 1,293 public school attendance centers in the State of Iowa, with an estimated average of 17 classrooms per attendance center.
- The current cost of a radon test is estimated to be $10 to $15 per test.
- Average mitigation costs per building are $3,300 but can vary greatly.
- New school construction is already incorporating radon-resistant construction techniques
Fiscal Impact
House File 2412 will have no fiscal impact to the State but will have a fiscal impact to local school districts.
The statewide cost estimate for initial radon testing for public schools is expected to be between $220,000 to $330,000. The cost estimate for required additional radon testing to public school districts is currently unknown and will depend on the number of radon tests that provide positive radon results. School districts may choose to use district employees trained in radon testing. Initial measurement specialist certification for radon testing is $275. Initial mitigation specialist certification for radon testing is $175. Training for an individual to receive both certifications is $400. It is unknown how many public school personnel already have certification or would pursue certification.
The estimated cost to public school districts for radon mitigation is currently unknown and would depend on the number of facilities that exceed radon limits.
House File 2412 may include a State mandate as defined in Iowa Code section 25B.3 and requires that any State mandate in the Bill be paid by a school district from the State Foundation School Aid appropriation.
Sources
- Department of Education
- Department of Public Health
- United States Environmental Protection Agency
- American Cancer Society
The estimate held steady
4- Final Fiscal Note — Radon Testing, Schools · June 24, 2022 · $330,000
- Radon Testing, Schools · March 10, 2022 · $330,000
- Radon Testing, Schools · February 17, 2022 · $330,000
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Tried before
89th General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.
- HF 673 To require radon testing and mitigation in public schools and including applicability prov…88th General Assembly · Approved by committee · nearly identicalCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- HF 243 Requiring radon testing and mitigation in public schools, and including applicability prov…89th General Assembly · In committeeNearly identical
Matched by wording or an identical title.