Bills › 91st General Assembly
Regulating confinement feeding operations by providing for construction permits, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by Sen. Liz Bennett (D), Sen. Janet Petersen (D), Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D), Sen. Art Staed (D)
Topics:Environment & natural resourcesLivestock & confinements
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 10, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 12, 2026
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- 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
BACKGROUND —— GENERAL. Confinement feeding operations are regulated by the department of natural resources (DNR) under the “Animal Agriculture Compliance Act” (Code chapter 459). A confinement feeding operation is a type of animal feeding operation in which agricultural animals are maintained for at least days in any 12-month period.102). Regulations governing confinement feeding operations vary based on the size of the operation measured by animal units (AUs). Animal unit capacity (AUC) refers to a measurement used to determine the maximum number of AUs maintained as part of a confinement feeding operation at any one time.
Read the full explanation
In calculating AUs, a special equivalency factor is assigned for each classification of confined agricultural animal. BACKGROUND —— CONSTRUCTION PERMITS. Code chapter 459, subchapter III, governs water quality standards applicable to confinement feeding operations, including construction permit requirements. Generally, a person constructing a confinement feeding operation structure must obtain a construction permit issued by DNR if the confinement feeding operation after construction meets a threshold AUC of 1,000.303). BILL’S PROVISIONS. This bill decreases the permit threshold capacity to 300 AUs, which is equal to 750 swine weighing more than pounds. APPLICABLE PENALTIES.191).
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
Senate subcommittee
Named February 12, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.
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
Iowa Code it changes
Amends§459.303
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 · 0 against · 3 undecided · Who →