Relating to the acquisition of water, sanitary sewer, and storm water utilities by rate-regulated public utilities

Sponsored by the House Commerce Committee

Topics:Business & economy Utility rates

Same legislation: HF 56, HF 2101, SF 2181

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 18, 2023
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 25, 2023
Done: House committeeFebruary 21, 2023
Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 19, 202491–0
Skipped: Senate committeeSkipped
Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 26, 202446–0
Done: To the GovernorApril 10, 2024
Done: Signed into lawApril 10, 2024

Became HF 2101 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2101 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to the acquisition of water, sanitary sewer, and storm water utilities by rate-regulated public utilities. The bill increases the threshold amount requiring utilities board (board) approval from $500,000 to $3 million when a public utility is acquiring a water, sanitary sewer, or storm water utility.6 (regarding discrimination in rates).2A, but not certify compliance. The bill provides that the rate base in the final order approving an acquisition shall include reasonable and customary closing costs, the cost of appraisals, and regulatory and legal expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition.

Read the full explanation

The bill provides that the board shall require a public utility to submit a purchase agreement for the acquisition and shall find the purchase agreement includes terms, conditions, requirements, and other provisions applicable to the system sought to be acquired and the public utility shall be in compliance with specified provisions in determining applicable ratemaking principles. The purchase agreement shall include a term allowing the parties days after final approval of the ratemaking principles to terminate the purchase agreement without penalty. The bill provides that the board shall issue a final order within 120 days of the filing of an application for the acquisition of an at-risk utility system, or an order within 180 days for all other acquisitions. Current law provides that the board shall issue a final order within 120 days of filing the application for a utility that is an at-risk system.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

House subcommittee

Named January 9, 2024. On January 16, 2024 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 2-0.

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

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§476.84

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

3 for · 1 against · 16 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

90th General Assembly

HF 56RenumberedHouse companion HF 473Renumberedfrom HF 56 HF 2101Became lawfrom HF 473 SF 2181Didn’t advanceSenate companion

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.