SSB 3128: Relating to city utilities including tenant notification

What it does

Under current law, when a landlord has given written notice to the city utility or enterprise that a property is residential rental property and that the tenant is liable for the rates or charges for certain utilities, the property is exempt from a lien for delinquent rates or charges associated with the utility. This bill includes as acceptable written notice a tenant’s notification to the city utility or enterprise of the tenant’s responsibility or the cessation of the tenant’s responsibility for utility charges when a landlord has an active rental license for a property.

Senate subcommittee · named February 10, 2026

• Sen. Mike Bousselot (R) · mike.bousselot@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Dawn Driscoll (R) · dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D) · herman.quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 4 against

For: Eastlake Partnership; Iowa Association of Realtors; Iowa Manufactured Housing Association; Landlords of Iowa

Against: Des Moines Water Works; Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities; Iowa Association of Water Agencies; Urbandale Water Utility

In plain words

1. February 10, 2026Filed in the Senate and sent to the Local Government committee
2. February 10, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Bousselot, Driscoll and Quirmbach
3. February 16, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 19, 2026Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2438