IA
Iowa House Bill HF989

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF989

Introduced
4/7/25  
Engrossed
4/17/25  

Caption

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. (Formerly HSB 323.)

Impact

If enacted, HF 989 will significantly impact state laws governing animal agriculture and waste management practices. The bill seeks to standardize the management of organic materials, enhancing bioenergy production while mitigating environmental risks associated with improper waste disposal. This includes specific guidelines for the construction of digesters, requiring permits, and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The legislation reflects a shift towards integrating agricultural practices with sustainable energy solutions, which could lead to more efficient waste management and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Summary

House File 989 is a legislative proposal that establishes regulations for anaerobic digester systems associated with animal feeding operations. The bill outlines the requirements for storage, construction, and management of digester structures, along with the processing of organic materials such as manure. Its main goal is to facilitate the digestion process, which converts organic waste into biogas, while ensuring that environmental protections are in place to prevent pollution and manage waste effectively. The regulations include provisions for the construction of storage structures and the management of digestate produced through the digestion process.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HF 989 appears to be generally supportive among stakeholders in the agricultural sector who recognize the potential benefits of anaerobic digester systems for waste management and renewable energy generation. However, there are concerns from environmental advocates regarding adequate safeguards to protect local water and air quality from potential pollutants. The discussion surrounding the bill has revealed a tension between the necessity for agricultural innovation and the imperative to protect environmental health.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the specifics of environmental safeguards and the logistics of implementing the storage and processing guidelines. Concerns have been raised about the practicality of some of the construction requirements and the implications for small-scale farmers. The community's response highlights the need for a balance between fostering agricultural advancements and maintaining stringent environmental protections to ensure these systems do not contribute to pollution or other environmental detriments.

Latest HF989 Activity

Companion Bills

IA HSB323

Related 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.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF2156

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

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.

IA SF72

A bill for an act relating to animal feeding operations, by providing for certain air and water quality regulations, including when two or more related confinement feeding operations are deemed to be a single operation, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA HF2641

A bill for an act relating to agriculture, by providing for the administration of programs and regulations, making appropriations, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 2510, HSB 560.) Effective date: Enactment, 05/17/2024, 07/01/2024, 12/31/2024.

IA HF2605

A bill for an act providing for the regulation of hemp and hemp products, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly HSB 665.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA HF651

A bill for an act relating to the ownership of dogs, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 152.)

IA HF666

A bill for an act providing for programs and regulations administered and enforced by the department of agriculture and land stewardship, providing fees, providing for the allocation of moneys, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 277, HSB 113.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HF567

A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 159.) Contingent effective date. Applicability date: 01/01/2022, 01/01/2023.

IA HF704

A bill for an act providing for the transportation of biogas using a gathering line system constructed within a secondary road right-of-way, providing fees, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 238.)

IA HF670

A bill for an act providing for veterinary medicine, including the care of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 640, HSB 139.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2024.

Similar Bills

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 HSB301

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.

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 HF987

A bill for an act providing for the processing of organic material into renewable fuel and digestate, providing fees, and providing penalties.(Formerly HSB 322.)

IA SSB1112

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 SF 585.)

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 HF834

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.(Formerly HSB 123.)

IA SF585

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.(Formerly SSB 1112.)