Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the treatment of private sewage disposal systems, including monitoring, maintenance, and reporting requirements, and including applicability provisions
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 9, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 9, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 10, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 2255 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2255 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to the treatment of private sewage disposal systems, including monitoring, maintenance, and reporting requirements. The bill defines key terms, including “aerobic treatment unit”, “private sewage disposal system”, and “proprietary treatment system”, classifying proprietary treatment systems into class A systems, which are media-based or passive secondary treatment systems, and class B systems, which rely on mechanical aeration or fixed film processes. The bill requires, prior to installation of a private sewage disposal system, the owner to enter into a monitoring and maintenance contract with a certified technician.
Read the full explanation
The contract is required for the life of the system, and a copy must be provided to the county sanitarian. The bill requires systems to be inspected, monitored, and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications, and sets minimum inspection frequencies for each system type. The bill requires a certified technician to perform monitoring and maintenance and to report the results to the system owner and the county sanitarian. The bill requires the county sanitarian to perform all inspections and report the results as provided in the bill. The bill allows a class A system to use a media filter when a site is unsuitable for a soil absorption system and an intermittent sand filter, and expresses a preference for class A systems. The bill allows the use of an aerobic treatment unit only when a site is unacceptable for a soil absorption system or an intermittent sand filter, and expresses a preference for packed bed media filters where conditions allow. _____ for a soil absorption system, intermittent sand filter, and class A system. The bill also prohibits the use of a class B system for a vacation home, church, event facility, and any other infrequent-use facility. The bill requires an aerobic treatment unit that discharges on the surface of the ground to use either an intermittently operated slow sand filter or a free access sand filter that meets certain specifications. The bill requires a county sanitarian to record certain information when inspecting a private sewage disposal system, including the date of review, the type of system, whether the system is functioning correctly, and, if not, the primary reason for the deficiency. The county sanitarian must submit the information to the department of natural resources (department). The bill requires the department to compile the information and maintain a publicly accessible database summarizing inspection outcomes, without including personally identifiable information. The bill authorizes the department to adopt rules as necessary to administer the bill. The bill applies to the monitoring, maintenance, and inspection of private sewage disposal systems installed on or after July 1, 2026.
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 9, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.
- Sen. Annette Sweeney REmail
- Sen. Liz Bennett DEmail
- Sen. Mark Costello REmail
- Sen. William A. Dotzler Jr. DEmail
- Sen. Lynn Evans REmail
- Sen. Renee Hardman DEmail
- Sen. Mike Pike REmail
- Sen. Ken Rozenboom REmail
- Sen. Jason Schultz REmail
- Sen. Tom Shipley REmail
- Sen. Dave Sires REmail
- Sen. Art Staed DEmail
- Sen. Cherielynn Westrich REmail
- Sen. Mike Zimmer DEmail
- Sen. Dan Zumbach REmail
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
Creates§455B.241§455B.242§455B.243§455B.244
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 · 2 against · 12 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.
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.