Providing a limitation on civil or criminal liability for any alleged actual or potential effect on climate caused wholly or partly by a greenhouse gas emission

Sponsored by the House Agriculture Committee

Topics:Courts & civil law Environment & natural resources

Same legislation: HSB 693, SSB 3133, SF 2427

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 9, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 9, 2026
Done: House committeeFebruary 10, 2026
Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 26, 202666–24
Done: Senate committeeMarch 19, 2026
Done: Passes the SenateMarch 24, 202633–13
Done: To the GovernorApril 30, 2026
Done: Signed into lawApril 30, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary People could not sue or charge others for their impact on the climate unless they broke a specific law or permit rule regarding greenhouse gas emissions. This rule protects businesses and individuals from legal trouble related to gases like carbon dioxide or methane unless they violate an official regulation.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill limits civil or criminal liability arising from any alleged actual or potential effect on climate caused wholly or partly by a greenhouse gas emission attributable to a defendant. A greenhouse gas includes a gas originating from an agricultural or renewable fuel source, or a number of specific gases, including carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, methane, nitrogen trifluoride, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, or a perfluorocarbon., United States environmental protection agency). The bill provides that its provisions are not to be construed as creating a right to bring a civil or criminal action or a judicial remedy.

Why it matters. People or businesses facing lawsuits over their greenhouse gas emissions would have limited civil or criminal liability. To hold a defendant liable, a court would have to find clear and convincing evidence that they violated a specific state law or a permit issued by a federal or state agency.²

Changed since by amendments S-5059, H-8031; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed³

House subcommittee

Named February 9, 2026 (as HSB 693). On February 10, 2026 it recommended passage.

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

4 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 16, 2026 (1), February 12, 2026 (3) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§673B.1 §673B.2 §673B.3 §673B.4

How the Code works⁴

Lobbying

16 for · 7 against · 10 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Study bill

HSB 693Renumbered SSB 3133Renumbered

91st General Assembly

HF 2527Became lawfrom HSB 693 SF 2427Didn’t advancefrom SSB 3133