Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB194

Introduced
2/21/23  
Introduced
2/21/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to persons certified to conduct time-of-transfer inspections of private sewage disposal systems, and providing penalties.(See HF 634.)

Impact

The enactment of HSB194 is poised to significantly impact state laws governing private sewage disposal systems and their inspections. Under this bill, county recorder offices are prohibited from accepting inspection reports if they are not certified by an inspector listed by the DNR at the time of inspection. This change improves accountability and reduces the risk of accepting invalid inspections that could overlook critical environmental health concerns regarding sewage systems. Furthermore, failures to comply with these requirements may result in substantial penalties, enhancing enforcement mechanisms.

Summary

House Study Bill 194 (HSB194) addresses the certification requirements for conducting time-of-transfer inspections of private sewage disposal systems. This bill is engineered to enhance regulatory standards for those performing inspections prior to the sale or transfer of properties which utilize such systems. The bill mandates that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) create and maintain a public list of certified inspectors, including specific criteria and requirements for their certification and training, aimed at ensuring a minimum standard of care and oversight in the inspection process.

Contention

Some contention surrounding HSB194 could revolve around the financial implications for inspectors and the administrative burden placed on county recorders as a result of these new provisions. Critics may argue that increased certification costs and procedural requirements could limit the pool of available inspectors, particularly in rural areas where such services are already scarce. Additionally, the monetary penalties outlined for noncompliance could raise concerns about the potential for legal disputes and financial liabilities arising from genuine mistakes or misunderstandings in the operational enforcement of these new laws.

Companion Bills

IA HF634

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to persons certified to conduct time-of-transfer inspections of private sewage disposal systems, and providing penalties. (Formerly HSB 194.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

Previously Filed As

IA HF634

A bill for an act relating to persons certified to conduct time-of-transfer inspections of private sewage disposal systems, and providing penalties. (Formerly HSB 194.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF511

A bill for an act relating to the inspection of a private sewage disposal system for certain transactions.

IA H0309

Private Provider Inspections of Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems

IA HF18

A bill for an act requiring the inspection of a private well serving a building upon the transfer of ownership of the building.

IA HSB323

A bill for an act relating to animal feeding operations, by providing for the regulation of anaerobic digester systems, providing fees, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 989.)

IA H1425

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Inspections

IA HSB322

A bill for an act providing for the processing of organic material into renewable fuel and digestate, providing fees, and providing penalties.(See HF 987.)

IA SSB1144

A bill for an act relating to home inspections, including persons authorized to perform home inspections and requirements for independent home inspection reports, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.(See SF 460.)

IA HSB123

A bill for an act relating to energy systems by modifying electric power generation, energy storage, and transmission facility ratemaking principles, creating tariffs for public utility innovation programs, implementing land restoration standards, including right of first refusal, modifying the energy infrastructure revolving loan program, and creating regulations for anaerobic digester systems, making appropriations, providing penalties, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 834.)

IA HF2354

A bill for an act relating to water quality, including by providing for the permitting and monitoring of animal feeding operations, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

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