HSB 740: Relating to the production of oil and gas, geologic hydrogen, hydrocarbons, or other minerals, including establishing certain duties required of oil and gas operators, requiring notice and surface use agreement offers, and providing for remedies

What it does

This bill relates to the production of oil and gas, geologic hydrogen, hydrocarbons, or other minerals, including establishing certain duties required of oil and gas operators, requiring notice and surface use agreement offers, and providing for remedies. The bill is known as and may be cited as the Iowa surface owners protection Act. The bill applies to real property and improvements on which oil and gas operations are conducted and to oil and gas operations commenced on or after July 1, 2026, with exceptions for certain maintenance and ongoing production activities at wells producing or capable of producing on that date if the operator holds a valid permit, and for operations conducted within the scope of agreements entered into before July 1, 2026.

House subcommittee · named February 12, 2026

• Rep. Austin Harris (R) · austin.harris@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Austin Baeth (D) · austin.baeth@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Taylor R. Collins (R) · taylor.collins@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 1 against

For: Iowa Corn Growers Association; Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; Iowa Soybean Association

Against: Iowa Limestone Producers Association

In plain words

1. February 12, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Natural Resources committee
2. February 12, 2026House subcommittee named: Harris, Baeth and Collins
3. February 19, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 19, 2026Approved by the House committee
5. February 19, 2026Committee vote: 14–7
6. February 23, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2702