HF 365 (LSB 1670YH (4) 90)

HOUSE FILE 365

BY  ISENHART, KURTH, BAETH, ZABNER, SCHEETZ, and STAED

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing a water resources committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  455B.200  Water resources committee established.
   1.  A water resources committee is established.
   a.  The committee shall consist of three members of the senate appointed by the majority leader of the senate, two members of the senate appointed by the minority leader of the senate, three members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and two members of the house of representatives appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
   b.  Members shall be appointed prior to January 31 of the first regular session of each general assembly and shall serve for terms ending upon the convening of the following general assembly or when their successors are appointed, whichever is later. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy.
   c.  The committee shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson. Meetings may be called by the chairperson or a majority of the members.
   2.  The members of the committee shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and shall be paid a per diem as specified in section 2.10 for each day in which they engaged in the performance of their duties. However, per diem compensation and expenses shall not be paid when the general assembly is actually in session at the seat of government. Expenses and per diem shall be paid from funds appropriated pursuant to section 2.12.
   3.  The committee shall:
   a.  Provide continuing oversight for water quality and water quantity in the state, including oversight of the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy and its implementation, to ensure effective and efficient administration of surface water, groundwater, drinking water, and floodwater programs and initiatives.
   b.  Address stakeholder concerns.
   c.  Monitor program costs and expenditures, including the expenditure of public and private funds.
   d.  Make recommendations to the general assembly. Every five years beginning in 2024, the committee shall recommend updates to the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy for approval by the general assembly.
   4.  The legislative services agency shall provide administrative assistance to the committee.
    Sec. 2.  APPOINTMENT OF FIRST WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEMBERS.  For purposes of this Act, appointments of the first members to the water resources committee established under section 455B.200, as enacted in this Act, shall be made by January 31, 2024.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes a water resources committee (committee). The committee shall consist of five members of the senate and five members of the house of representatives, appointed as provided in the bill. The committee shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson. Meetings may be called by the chairperson or a majority of the members. The bill provides for reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of duties relating to the committee.
   The committee is required to provide oversight for water quality and quantity programs and initiatives in the state, including the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy. The committee shall address stakeholder concerns, monitor program costs and expenditures, and make recommendations to the general assembly. Every five years beginning in 2024, the committee shall recommend updates to the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy for approval by the general assembly.
   The bill requires the legislative services agency to provide administrative assistance to the committee.