HF 2773 (LSB 6870HV (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2773

BY  COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 754)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to drainage or levee districts, by exempting an application fee that may be charged to certain persons applying for an easement to install fiber optic cable, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 468.186, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1A.  a.  The governing body of a drainage or levee district shall not charge an administrative fee related to the consideration, approval, or disapproval of an application for an easement to install fiber optic cable by a person whose business is primarily locally operated as a contractor or fiber optic network company.
   b.  The drainage district may prepare and publish a list of the names of persons described in paragraph “a” that will not be charged the administrative fee.
    Sec. 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   The governing body of a drainage or levee district (e.g., a county board of supervisors or board of trustees) may approve an easement on, over, across, or beneath the land of the district. This includes an easement for a pipeline, electric transmission line, communication line, underground service line, or other similar installation (Code section 468.186(1)). This bill provides that the governing body cannot charge an administrative fee for considering, approving, or disapproving an application for an easement to install fiber optic cable by a person whose business is primarily locally operated as a contractor or fiber optic network company. The drainage district may prepare and publish a list of local contractors and fiber optic network companies that will not be charged the administrative fee. The bill takes effect upon enactment.