91st General Assembly
Relating to the exercise of eminent domain for the construction of hazardous liquid pipelines and including effective date and applicability provisions
Sponsored by Sen. Kevin Alons (R), Sen. Doug Campbell (R), Sen. Lynn Evans (R), Sen. Jesse Green (R), Sen. Dennis Guth (R), Sen. Mark S. Lofgren (R), Sen. Mike Pike (R), Sen. David D. Rowley (R), Sen. Sandy Salmon (R), Sen. Jeff Taylor (R), Sen. Cherielynn Westrich (R)
Topics:AgricultureEnergy & utilitiesCarbon pipelinesEminent domain
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 23, 2025
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 26, 202582–12
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Companies building pipelines to move liquid carbon dioxide cannot take over farmland through eminent domain unless the landowner agrees to it. Currently, these companies can sometimes use condemnation powers for private projects without permission. This change specifically protects agricultural land owners from having their property taken for these types of pipelines.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to a utility's right to condemn agricultural land. The bill provides that the construction of hazardous liquid pipelines for the transportation or transmission of liquefied carbon dioxide is not a public use, public purpose, or public improvement for purposes of condemnation of agricultural land by a utility unless the owner of the agricultural land consents to the condemnation. Under current law, a utility is excluded from the requirement to receive the consent of the owner of agricultural land prior to using eminent domain to condemn the agricultural land for private development purposes. The bill defines a utility as a person or business that provides gas, electricity, communications services, water, or sanitary sewage or storm water drainage disposal to the public for compensation, and also includes waterworks, joint water utilities, rural water districts, cooperative water associations, and electric transmission owners primarily providing service to public utilities. The bill takes effect upon enactment and applies to condemnation proceedings for which the application is filed on or after the effective date of the bill.
Why it matters. Utilities would be prohibited from using eminent domain to condemn agricultural land for the construction of liquefied carbon dioxide pipelines unless the landowner consents to the process. This change affects utility companies, such as waterworks and electric transmission owners, as well as owners of agricultural land.2
Senate subcommittee
Named January 23, 2025. 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§6A.21
Courts interpreting this law
Opinions of Iowa’s appeals courts that cite this part of the Iowa Code.5
Lobbying
6 for · 7 against · 10 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly