Superseded
Iowa : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HF191
A bill for an act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere.(See HF 927.)
Sponsor: Rep Jeff Shipley & Rep Samantha Fett & Rep Helena Hayes & Rep Cindy Golding & Rep Jennifer Smith & Rep Ann Meyer & Rep Sam Wengryn & Rep David Sieck & Rep Brooke Boden & Rep Eddie Andrews & Rep Bill Gustoff & Rep Craig Williams & Rep Mark Cisneros & Rep David Young & Rep Mark Thompson & Rep Zachary Dieken & Rep Charley Thomson & Rep Dan Gehlbach & Rep Travis Sitzmann & Rep Ray Sorensen & Rep Skyler Wheeler & Rep Devon Wood & Rep Carter Nordman
Bill Details
A bill for an act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere.(See HF 927.)
Bill summary (AI generated)
Core Prohibitions The Main Ban: The bill prohibits the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere within Iowa's borders if the emission is done for the specific purpose of affecting: Temperature Weather The intensity of sunlight Overrides Other Laws: This prohibition applies regardless of any other existing laws that might state otherwise. Administrative Actions Responsible Agency: The Environmental Protection Commission is required to create specific rules to enforce this prohibition. Emergency Powers: The Commission is authorized to adopt emergency rules to implement this ban. These emergency rules would become effective immediately upon filing (unless a later date is specified). Public Notice: Any rules adopted must still be published as a "notice of intended action." Legal Definitions New Classification: The bill adds a new section to the legal code (Section 708C.1) specifically titled "Geoengineering."
History
The bill was introduced in February 2025 and initially referred to the Environmental Protection Committee. It went through a subcommittee review, where it was recommended for passage, followed by a committee vote that showed majority support. The bill has since been approved in committee and renumbered as HF 927. The next step involves further consideration in the full legislative assembly, where it will be subject to additional debate and voting. If it passes there, it will move on to the next stages of the legislative process; if it fails, it will be effectively halted.
- Mon 03 Feb 2025 Introduced, referred to Environmental Protection. H.J. 175.
- Wed 05 Feb 2025 Subcommittee: Wengryn, Croken and Johnson, C. H.J. 183.
- Wed 05 Feb 2025 Subcommittee Meeting: 02/11/2025 12:00PM RM 102.
- Tue 11 Feb 2025 Subcommittee recommends passage.
- Thu 06 Mar 2025 Committee report, recommending passage. H.J. 546.
- Thu 06 Mar 2025 Committee vote: Yeas, 11. Nays, 5. Excused, 1. H.J. 546.
- Wed 12 Mar 2025 Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 927.
Bill text (Transcribed)
Iowa : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HF191
A bill for an act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere.(See HF 927.)
HOUSE FILE 191
BY SHIPLEY, FETT, HAYES, GOLDING, SMITH, A. MEYER, WENGRYN, SIECK, BODEN, ANDREWS, GUSTOFF, WILLIAMS, CISNEROS, YOUNG, THOMPSON, DIEKEN, THOMSON, GEHLBACH, SITZMANN, SORENSEN, WHEELER, WOOD, and NORDMAN
A BILL FOR
An Act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. Section 455B.133, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 11. Adopt rules pursuant to section 708C.1 prohibiting the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere within the borders of this state when such emission occurs for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, rules adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be controlling.
Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 708C.1 Geoengineering.
1. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere within the borders of this state when such emissions occur for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight is prohibited.
2. The environmental protection commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section. The environmental protection commission may adopt emergency rules under section 17A.4, subsection 3, and section 17A.5, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, to administer this section and the rules shall be effective immediately upon filing unless a later date is specified in the rules. Any rules adopted in accordance with this subsection shall also be published as a notice of intended action as provided in section 17A.4.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
This bill prohibits the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary.
The environmental protection commission currently adopts rules relating to air quality. The bill requires the commission to adopt rules expounding on the bill’s prohibitions. The bill allows the environmental protection commission to adopt emergency rules to implement the bill’s prohibition.
A bill for an act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere.(See HF 927.)
HOUSE FILE 191
BY SHIPLEY, FETT, HAYES, GOLDING, SMITH, A. MEYER, WENGRYN, SIECK, BODEN, ANDREWS, GUSTOFF, WILLIAMS, CISNEROS, YOUNG, THOMPSON, DIEKEN, THOMSON, GEHLBACH, SITZMANN, SORENSEN, WHEELER, WOOD, and NORDMAN
A BILL FOR
An Act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. Section 455B.133, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 11. Adopt rules pursuant to section 708C.1 prohibiting the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere within the borders of this state when such emission occurs for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of the sunlight.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, rules adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be controlling.
Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 708C.1 Geoengineering.
1. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere within the borders of this state when such emissions occur for the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight is prohibited.
2. The environmental protection commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section. The environmental protection commission may adopt emergency rules under section 17A.4, subsection 3, and section 17A.5, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, to administer this section and the rules shall be effective immediately upon filing unless a later date is specified in the rules. Any rules adopted in accordance with this subsection shall also be published as a notice of intended action as provided in section 17A.4.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
This bill prohibits the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere with the express purpose of affecting temperature, weather, or the intensity of sunlight, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary.
The environmental protection commission currently adopts rules relating to air quality. The bill requires the commission to adopt rules expounding on the bill’s prohibitions. The bill allows the environmental protection commission to adopt emergency rules to implement the bill’s prohibition.