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91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HF 631: Relating to backwater variances for bridge construction or repair

Died when the session ended · The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died.

What it does

This bill relates to backwater variances for bridge construction or repair. Under current administrative rules, if a bridge that requires a flood plain construction permit exceeds established backwater limits, the department of natural resources (DNR) may require the relevant authority to acquire from the affected landowners a flooding easement for the excess backwater. The bill requires the director of DNR to issue a variance to any state agency, county, or city for backwater requirements for bridge construction or repair if the director receives from all affected landowners who have not provided the state agency, county, or city with a flooding easement a written acknowledgment that each landowner’s property will be subject to flooding during and after the construction or repair.

Sponsors

Rep. Brooke Boden (R)

Cost

No fiscal note

House subcommittee · named March 3, 2025

  • Rep. Thomas M. Jeneary (R) · tom.jeneary@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Bob Henderson (R) · robert.henderson@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Elizabeth Wilson (D) · elizabeth.wilson@legis.iowa.gov

In plain words

  1. February 28, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Transportation committee
  2. March 3, 2025House subcommittee named: Jeneary, Henderson and Wilson
  3. March 4, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it

From public records at legis.iowa.gov, compiled by Funnel (iowafunnel.com), an independent, nonpartisan site. Current as of Monday, November 9, 2026. https://iowafunnel.com/bills/91/HF631