HF 2227: Relating to land restoration following the initial construction of electric transmission lines, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions

What it does

This bill relates to land restoration following the initial construction of electric transmission lines. The bill directs the commission to adopt rules to implement the land restoration requirements after initial construction of an electric transmission line as set forth in the bill. The bill requires electric transmission owners to repair drain tiles damaged during construction as soon as practicable and to complete permanent repairs as soon as practicable after initial construction. The permanent repairs must be of the same quality, size, and flow capacity as the original drain tile.

Senate subcommittee · named March 10, 2026

• Sen. Annette Sweeney (R) · annette.sweeney@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Catelin Drey (D) · catelin.drey@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Dawn Driscoll (R) · dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 10 for, 0 against

For: Center for Rural Affairs; Conservation Districts of Iowa; IBEW Iowa State Conference; ITC Midwest; Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club; Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship; Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; Iowa Farmers Union; Iowa Soybean Association; MidAmerican Energy Company

In plain words

1. January 13, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Commerce committee · as HSB 526
2. January 13, 2026House subcommittee named: Latham, Srinivas, Thomson and C · as HSB 526
3. January 20, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 526
4. January 28, 2026Approved by the House committee · as HSB 526
5. January 28, 2026Committee vote: 22–0 · as HSB 526
6. January 30, 2026Filed in the House
7. January 30, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2227 · as HSB 526
8. March 2, 2026Passed the House, 90–0
9. March 3, 2026Arrived in the Senate
10. March 10, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Sweeney, Drey and Driscoll
11. March 11, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
12. March 18, 2026Approved by the Senate committee
13. March 24, 2026Passed the Senate, 45–0
14. April 16, 2026Sent to the Governor
15. April 16, 2026Signed into law