Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the use of water, including beneficial use in the context of water allocation and the disposal of wastewater from distillery operations
Sponsored by the House Natural Resources Committee
Topics:Environment & natural resources
Same legislation: HSB 713
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 10, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 10, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 17, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 12, 202690–1
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to the use of certain liquids, including beneficial use in the context of water allocation and the disposal of liquid waste from distillery operations. The bill requires the department of natural resources (department) to adopt by rule standards for the disposal of liquid waste originating from an on-site native distillery operation produced during the manufacture of native distilled spirits. The bill requires the standards to account for the volume of liquid waste produced, the manner of disposal by land application, and the per acre application rate per day.
Read the full explanation
Under current law, for the purposes of Code chapter 455B, subchapter III, part 4, “beneficial use” is defined as the application of water to a useful purpose that inures to the benefit of the water user and subject to the user’s dominion and control but does not include the waste or pollution of water. The bill strikes the definition and provides that beneficial use is determined by the department on a case-by-case basis when determining whether to grant a permit for the diversion, storage, or withdrawal of water, and must not be based on the category of use.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment H-8169; see Amendments. Full bill text
Senate subcommittee
Named March 17, 2026. On March 18, 2026 it recommended indefinite postponement. [].
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 12, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§455B.172B
Amends§455B.171§455B.261§455B.265
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
2 for · 3 against · 22 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.
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91st General Assembly
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