Iowa : 2025-2026 Regular Session : BILL HF927
A bill for an act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere.(Formerly HF 191.)
Sponsor: Rep Environmental Protection
Bill Details
A bill for an act relating to the intentional emission of air contaminants into the atmosphere.(Formerly HF 191.)
GeoLawWatch Bill Summary
Iowa HF927 bans intentionally releasing air contaminants in the state if the goal is to change temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity. The bill states that this rule takes priority over any other state laws that might conflict with it.
The law adds a new section called "Geoengineering" to the Iowa Code, which sets out the main ban. It also updates another section to require the Environmental Protection Commission to adopt rules enforcing this ban on intentional atmospheric emissions.
The Environmental Protection Commission is required to create rules to carry out the ban, following Iowa's Administrative Procedure Act. The bill also gives the commission special emergency powers so new rules can take effect right away unless a different date is set. Any emergency rules must also be published as a notice of intended action.
HF927 does not include criminal penalties, civil fines, enforcement tools, citizen reporting, or set penalties for breaking the law. Instead, it leaves all decisions about how to enforce the ban to the Environmental Protection Commission's rulemaking process. This differs from states like Alabama or Pennsylvania, where laws list specific penalties and fines.
The bill is labelled as a successor to HF191, meaning it continues or replaces work started in an earlier bill that did not move forward.
History
HF927 was introduced by the House Committee on Environmental Protection on March 12, 2025, and placed on the House calendar the same day. The bill is designated as a successor to HF191, meaning the Environmental Protection Committee advanced this version to replace or continue work on the earlier bill. This committee introduction process differs from individual sponsor introduction and may indicate broader institutional support within the committee.
On the day of introduction, Amendment H-1071 was filed, followed by Amendment H-1167 on March 24, 2025. The substance of these amendments is not detailed in the provided documents, but the filing of two amendments within twelve days suggests active legislative refinement of the measure.
On April 3, 2025, despite having been introduced by the Environmental Protection Committee and initially placed on the calendar, HF927 was referred back to the Environmental Protection Committee. This referral pattern is somewhat unusual—the committee introduced the bill, it was calendared, amendments were filed, and then it was referred back to the same committee for further consideration. This sequence may indicate procedural complexity, the need for additional committee work to incorporate the filed amendments, or strategic legislative manoeuvring.
Iowa operates under a biennial session structure, with the 2025-2026 regular session beginning January 13, 2025, and scheduled to conclude May 14, 2025, for the first year. Bills carry over from 2025 to 2026 within the same biennial session, meaning HF927 remains viable through 2026 even if not completed in 2025.
The bill currently resides in the Environmental Protection Committee, which has jurisdiction over air quality matters addressed by the prohibition. As of the last recorded action on April 3, 2025, no committee hearings, votes, or further actions have been documented.
- Wed 12 Mar 2025 Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 611.
- Wed 12 Mar 2025 Amendment H-1071 filed. H.J. 639.
- Mon 24 Mar 2025 Amendment H-1167 filed. H.J. 792.
- Thu 03 Apr 2025 Referred to Environmental Protection. H.J. 897.
Consolidated Bill Text
BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(SUCCESSOR TO HF 191)
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.
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.
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.