Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions
Sponsored by the House Commerce Committee
Topics:Energy & utilities
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2024
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 12, 2024
- Done: House committeeFebruary 13, 2024
- Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2024 session adjourned on April 19, 2024, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary This law allows companies that already own power lines to have the first chance to build and maintain new high-voltage transmission lines in Iowa. These companies can be based in any state as long as the lines themselves are located within Iowa. If a new line connects to equipment owned by multiple companies, each owner has an equal right to build and manage it.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners.16, identifying Iowa consumers’ urgent need for development and investment in high-voltage transmission. The bill provides that an incumbent electric transmission owner may be formed, located, or headquartered in any state as long as the electric transmission line is located in Iowa. Under the bill, an existing electric transmission facility owner has the right to construct, own, and maintain an electric transmission line that directly connects to the electric transmission facility. If a proposed transmission line would directly connect to facilities owned by two or more facility owners, each owner has the right to construct, own, and maintain the electric transmission line individually and equally. After July 1, 2020, approved electric transmission lines not subject to right of first refusal in a federally registered planning authority transmission plan shall give notice to the Iowa utilities board (board) whether the incumbent electric transmission owner or owners intend to construct, own, and maintain the electric transmission line. The notice shall be given within the later of 90 days of approval for construction or 90 days after enactment of the bill. The board may determine whether another person may construct the electric transmission line if the incumbent electric transmission owner or owners give notice declining to construct or do not give timely notice. The bill takes effect upon enactment. The bill applies retroactively to July 1, 2020, for an electric transmission line approved for construction in a federally registered planning authority transmission plan.
Why it matters. Electric transmission facility owners would have the right to build, own, and maintain lines that connect directly to their existing facilities. If a new line connects to facilities owned by multiple companies, each owner has the right to build and maintain that line individually and equally. The Iowa utilities board may allow other people to build a transmission line if the current owners decline to do so or fail to provide required notice.2
House subcommittee
Named February 12, 2024 (as HSB 698). On February 13, 2024 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 2-1.
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
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 13, 2024 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
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90th General Assembly