HF 2773: Relating to drainage or levee districts, by exempting an application fee that may be charged to certain persons applying for an easement to install fiber optic cable, and including effective date provisions

What it does

, a county board of supervisors or board of trustees) may approve an easement on, over, across, or beneath the land of the district.186(1)). This bill provides that the governing body cannot charge an administrative fee for considering, approving, or disapproving an application for an easement to install fiber optic cable by a person whose business is primarily locally operated as a contractor or fiber optic network company. The drainage district may prepare and publish a list of local contractors and fiber optic network companies that will not be charged the administrative fee.

House subcommittee · named February 24, 2026

• Rep. Chad Behn (R) · chad.behn@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Eric J. Gjerde (D) · eric.gjerde@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. John H. Wills (R) · john.wills@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 1 for, 1 against

For: Iowa Communications Alliance

Against: Iowa Drainage District Association

In plain words

1. February 24, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Ways and Means committee · as HSB 754
2. February 24, 2026House subcommittee named: Behn, Gjerde, Wills and J · as HSB 754
3. March 3, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 754
4. April 15, 2026Filed in the House
5. April 15, 2026Approved by the House committee · as HSB 754
6. April 15, 2026Committee vote: 24–0 · as HSB 754
7. April 15, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2773 · as HSB 754