SF 2267 (LSB 6627XS (5) 91)

SENATE FILE 2267

BY  STAED, WEINER, TOWNSEND, BISIGNANO, BLAKE, ZIMMER, HARDMAN, WINCKLER, PETERSEN, BENNETT, DONAHUE, WAHLS, QUIRMBACH, DOTZLER, and DREY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to clean water projects and programs by requiring agencies to publish data regarding progress in meeting certain benchmarks.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 466B.2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1A.  “Division” means the division of soil conservation and water quality created within the department of agriculture and land stewardship pursuant to section 159.5.
    Sec. 2.  Section 466B.3, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  The director of the division of soil conservation and water quality within the department of agriculture and land stewardship or the director’s designee.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  466B.12  Benchmark reporting.
   In administering any project or program supported by state moneys that monitors surface water for the purpose of establishing benchmarks to determine progress in meeting a clean water goal or objective, the department of natural resources or the division, whichever administers the program or project, shall publish and regularly update a benchmark status report on an internet site administered jointly by the department of natural resources and the division. The project or program may be established or created in this chapter, or another chapter, if it authorizes the department of natural resources or the division to monitor surface water for purposes of acquiring data relating to nutrient loads, precipitation-induced surface runoff, or storm water discharges. The report shall include measurements taken before a project or program begins, during the period when the project or program is ongoing, and after the project or program is completed.
    Sec. 4.  Section 466B.41, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended by striking the subsection.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires the department of natural resources and the division of soil conservation and water quality within the department of agriculture and land stewardship to publish a report regarding any project or program supported by state moneys that establishes benchmarks in achieving water quality objectives or goals. The reports must be published on an internet site administered jointly by the two agencies.