Iowa Senate Bill SF382

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/23
• Refer: 2/22/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the sale of water to recipients outside the state, and making penalties applicable.(See SF 530.)

Impact

With the implementation of SF382, entities that sell water outside Iowa will be held accountable for their water extraction practices, potentially influencing resource management strategies at the state level. The bill allows the DNR to maintain public access to these records, fostering informed discourse about water usage and management. The civil penalty for non-compliance, capped at $500 for each day a violation occurs, serves as a deterrent against improper water sales, encouraging adherence to state regulations.

Summary

Senate File 382 addresses the sale of water extracted within the state of Iowa to out-of-state recipients. The bill mandates that any entity, including public utilities like county water systems and rural water systems, submits an annual report to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This report must detail the origin of the water, the identity of the out-of-state recipients, the intended purpose of their water usage, and the volume of water sold in the previous calendar year. The goal of these reporting requirements is to ensure transparency surrounding the sale of state water resources, particularly in the context of external usage.

Contention

While the bill seeks to regulate water sales effectively, it may spark debates regarding the extent to which state laws should govern water resources that can also serve local needs. Some stakeholders might argue that tight regulations could restrict opportunities for revenue generation from water sales outside the state. Conversely, others may advocate for stringent oversight to protect local water supplies from over-extraction and misuse. Thus, the implications of this bill are likely to be contentious as various interests weigh the need for regulation against economic benefits.