House File 860 - Introduced
HOUSE FILE
BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
(SUCCESSOR TO HF 540)
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act relating to environmental programs, and providing an
2 effective date.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
4 TLSB 2445HV 82
5 da/gg/14
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. Section 161C.2, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code
1 2 2007, is amended to read as follows:
1 3 b. Any work project with an estimated cost in excess of
1 4 the competitive bid threshold in section 26.3, or as
1 5 established in section 314.1B, shall be undertaken as a public
1 6 contract as provided in chapters 73A and 573. However, the
1 7 district may waive the requirement for a bond as provided in
1 8 section 573.2 for a project, if the district estimates that
1 9 the cost of the project is less than the competitive bid
1 10 threshold provided in section 26.3. The local contracting
1 11 organization shall designate a contracting officer and shall
1 12 establish procedures to manage the contract, approve bills for
1 13 payment, and review proposed change orders or amendments to
1 14 the contract.
1 15 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 460A.1 WATER QUALITY PROGRAMS AND
1 16 REGULATIONS.
1 17 1. The general assembly finds that a number of state and
1 18 federal agencies administer programs and regulations providing
1 19 for the improved quality of Iowa's water resources, including
1 20 subsurface and surface resources.
1 21 2. State agencies shall cooperate to administer programs
1 22 and regulations described in this section in order to provide
1 23 for the maximum improvement of water resources using the most
1 24 efficient use of public moneys or private contributions
1 25 devoted to these purposes.
1 26 3. In administering programs for watershed improvements
1 27 the department of agriculture and land stewardship and the
1 28 department of natural resources shall cooperate in order to
1 29 prioritize the receipt of state or federal assistance by
1 30 watersheds under programs administered by the departments.
1 31 Sec. 3. Section 466A.3, subsection 3, Code 2007, is
1 32 amended by adding the following new paragraph:
1 33 NEW PARAGRAPH. h. In awarding moneys under a project
1 34 supported by the fund, provide for a flexible approach which
1 35 maximizes water quality improvements at the lowest cost
2 1 feasible.
2 2 Sec. 4. Section 466A.4, subsection 1, Code 2007, is
2 3 amended to read as follows:
2 4 1. A local watershed improvement committee shall be
2 5 organized for the purposes of applying for a local watershed
2 6 improvement grant and implementing a local watershed
2 7 improvement project. Each local watershed improvement grant
2 8 application shall include a methodology for attaining
2 9 measurable, observable, and performance=based results. A
2 10 majority of the members of the committee shall represent a
2 11 cause for the impairment of the watershed. The committee
2 12 shall be authorized as a not=for=profit organization by the
2 13 secretary of state. Soil and water conservation districts and
2 14 cities may also be eligible and apply for and receive local
2 15 watershed improvement grants.
2 16 Sec. 5. LEGISLATIVE INTENT == FUNDING OF WATERSHED
2 17 IMPROVEMENTS. It is the intent of the general assembly to
2 18 provide full funding to support projects financed from the
2 19 watershed improvement fund created in section 466A.2.
2 20 Sec. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act, being deemed of
2 21 immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
2 22 EXPLANATION
2 23 This bill provides for water quality programs as
2 24 administered by state departments, including the department of
2 25 agriculture and land stewardship and the department of natural
2 26 resources.
2 27 The bill amends Code chapter 161C which provides for water
2 28 protection projects and practices. Code section 161C.2
2 29 authorizes a soil and water conservation district to carry out
2 30 projects to protect this state's groundwater and surface water
2 31 from point and nonpoint sources of contamination. The Code
2 32 section provides that any work project is governed under Code
2 33 chapter 573 which provides processes for contracting for
2 34 public improvements. Code section 573.2 requires the posting
2 35 of a performance bond for a contract involving a public
3 1 improvement for $25,000 or more. The bill provides that the
3 2 commissioners of a soil and water conservation district may
3 3 waive the requirement if they estimate the cost of the project
3 4 will not exceed the general competitive bid threshold of
3 5 $100,000 for general construction bidding as provided in Code
3 6 section 26.3 (see 2006 Iowa Acts, ch. 1017).
3 7 The bill creates a new Code chapter requiring that state
3 8 agencies cooperate to administer programs and regulations
3 9 relating to Iowa's water resources and to prioritize the
3 10 receipt of state or federal assistance under water quality
3 11 programs.
3 12 The bill amends provisions in Code chapter 466A relating to
3 13 grants from the watershed improvement fund created in section
3 14 466A.2. The bill provides that moneys under a project
3 15 supported by the fund must be expended using a flexible
3 16 approach which maximizes water quality improvements at the
3 17 lowest cost feasible. The bill also provides that cities may
3 18 be eligible to apply for local watershed improvement grants.
3 19 The bill declares the intention of the general assembly to
3 20 provide full funding to support projects financed from the
3 21 watershed improvement fund.
3 22 The bill takes effect upon enactment.
3 23 LSB 2445HV 82
3 24 da:rj/gg/14