Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted

HF 2227 — A bill for an act relating to land restoration following the initial construction of electric transmission lines, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

Last action — Signed by Governor.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 30, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds (Republican) on April 16, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

205 added · 231 removed

Plain-language change summary

House File 2227 has undergone some important changes. The bill now includes specific provisions regarding land restoration after electric transmission lines are built, emphasizing the need for this restoration to be completed promptly. Additionally, it states that the law will take effect immediately upon passage and will apply retroactively to certain transmission lines starting from July 1, 2024. These updates are significant as they ensure guidelines for land restoration are clear and effective from the outset, potentially leading to better environmental outcomes.

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STATE OF IOWA KIMRENOLDS GOVERNR pil6226 TeHnrbealPte ertryfteofoa Steptl Dsons,owa39 Dar.Scer, Ieeyrni:
House File 2227 - Enrolled House File 2227 AN ACT RELATING TO LAND RESTORATION FOLLOWING THE INITIAL CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES, AND INCLUDING EFFECTIVE DATE AND RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY PROVISIONS.
Husele2,antrligoldrtrtnflonghetlcsrcinf ecrcrnisonn,adicdngfcveaendeociepialty posos.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Teaoeoueieseeyapoednhsa.
Section 1.
Scry, KriMdQs_J Gvrorfoa c:
Section 478.18, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
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478.18 Supervision of construction —— location.
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ifm« [Wh!!\::ii!siii;
GENERÄL ASSEMBL Y |zl .Iui :ui:n.au-n.iu;:/naiiilauiü.a:•nmiiiiiüiiin;
Huse le 27 AN T RLAING O ND ETOAION LLWIG HE NTIL OSTUCION OF ECRIC ANMISON IES, D NCUDNG FETIE ATE AD ETOATIE PPICBLIY ROISOS.
BE T ACED Y HEENRAL SEBLY F E TTE F OA:
Scton .
Scion 8.8, oe 06, s mndd o ead s fllws:
48.8 Speviin f ontrcion — ctin.
he tltis cmision all ve wer f peviion oer he nsrutin f a asmsson ie nd er ts ftue peaton nd iteane,inluing spcios or copiace ih he tnars doted dr scion 8.4 ater straion f e ad s omlee.
The utilities commission shall have power of supervision over the construction of a transmission line and over its future operation and maintenance, including inspections for compliance with the standards adopted under section 478.34 after restoration of the land is complete .
A anmison ie hal e ontuced er nd pralel o as, o he gh-o-wy f he alays f e sat, r log he iiion nes f e ads, codig to e ovrnet srey, erver e ame sratiabe ad eaonbe, nd o s t o ntrfre th he e by e ubic f e hgwas r tras f te tte, r uneesarly neree wth e se f ny ns y he ocuant.
A transmission line shall be constructed near and parallel to roads, to the right-of-way of the railways of the state, or along the division lines of the lands, according to the government survey, wherever the same is practicable and reasonable, and so as not to interfere with the use by the public of the highways or streams of the state, nor unnecessarily interfere with the use of any lands by the occupant.
he tltis omision y onrct auaifed iniidal or e upoe f nsecios utoizd ndr scton 7.3.
The utilities commission may contract a qualified individual for the purpose of inspections authorized under section 478.34.
The aonble st f he secion all be id y he ecrc tasmsson we.
The reasonable cost of the inspection shall be paid by the electric transmission owner.
he iltis comsson hll ntrct e nsecor poitd y he Huse le 27, .
The utilities commission shall instruct the inspector appointed by the House File 2227, p.
2 cnnison eadig he otet f he attes d ues nd te esoniblty f he spcor o euie esorton cnfrmng ih he plcale tnars stblshd n etin 48.4.
2 commission regarding the content of the statutes and rules and the responsibility of the inspector to require restoration conforming with the applicable standards established in section 478.34.
Fr upoes f hs etin, qalfedinivdal" mans e ae s efned n cion 8.4.
For purposes of this section, “qualified individual” means the same as defined in section 478.34.
Sc.
Sec.
EW ETIN.
2.
4834 Lnd strtin.
NEW SECTION.
478.34 Land restoration.
s sd n his cio, nlss he next hewie rqures:
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Eecric asmsion ne"eas a ghvotge eecric anmsson ie ith apaity f o udrd klools r oe hat s en ppovd n r fer uy 1, 2, fr ostucion n aeealy egstrd lanig athriy rasision an ih ots locted gonll.
a.
Eecricrasmsion ne"mens n nivdal r etiy ho ns nd inans n lctic rnsisin in.
“Electric transmission line” means a high-voltage electric transmission line with a capacity of two hundred kilovolts or more that has been approved on or after July 1, 2024, for construction in a federally registered planning authority transmission plan with costs allocated regionally.
Lndwnr"mans e ae s efned n cion 8..
b.
Qalfidinivdul"mans mone o s apbe nd kowedeble ouh o etrine mpiace ih he anars st orh n hs ecin.
“Electric transmission owner” means an individual or entity who owns and maintains an electric transmission line.
c.
“Landowner” means the same as defined in section 478.2.
d.
“Qualified individual” means someone who is capable and knowledgeable enough to determine compliance with the standards set forth in this section.
he mmsson hll opt les ruat o hatr 1A to miiter is etin, hch all clde ues gadig te esorton f gicltrl lns olowng he iial cnsruton f n lctic rnmisin in, s pciied n sbscton .
The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section, which shall include rules regarding the restoration of agricultural lands following the initial construction of an electric transmission line, as specified in subsection 3.
he mmsson hll opt les o pemnt he fllwig euiemnt, hih hll ot ply tin he crprae iits f aiy r o ny nsrcton, tiiy, r eecrc tanmsson ies her an he ital nsrutin of n etrc rasmsson ie ih a ltge f o unred or re iools nd or ih n letin o ostuct s ben ae ner hs ecin:
The commission shall adopt rules to implement the following requirements, which shall not apply within the corporate limits of a city or to any construction, activity, or electric transmission lines other than the initial construction of an electric transmission line with a voltage of two hundred or more kilovolts and for which an election to construct has been made under this section:
An lctic rnsisin wnr hal eair aaagd udegrud ran ile s on s acicble rng cnsruton f he ecrc tasmsson ie.
Prannt rpars o e amged degoud ran ile al e cmpetd s on s ratiale fer he ital nsrutin of e lctic rnsisin lne s mpee.
Te epirs mde o e amged ain le all e ft lat qul qalt, sz, nd lw apcty f he ignl ran il.
Huse le 27, .
3 .
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Foloing e niil cntrcton f n ecric tanmisin ie, he ecric anmsson wer hll moe fom he smet rea l ok lrer hn hre nhes n aerge imter t atve o e oil f e xcvted ln.
he ck eovd rom e xavted nd at anot e ued o akill all e spsd f t a cain nd n a mnnr gred on y he ecrc rasmsson wer d he lndwer.
Upn omleionf cntrcton ciites n aroety, te letic rnsision nr sal eep ll giulurl ln, icldng ihtofway css onts r as taered by ay cntrcton qimet, o levate il mpcto.
Te and al e iled t ast gheen ces ep n and ued r cop odcton nd eve nhes ep n her nds ules thrise red o y he ndwnr.
Upn omlein f he lctic rnsisin in, he eecric asmsson wer hll stre he il nsrvtin pacies nd rutues aaed uing nsruton f he eecric asmsson ie o he evtin nd ade ising on e ad rir o he osrutin.
Te ol sed o rpar mbnmets nened o tan atr hal e el cmpced.
ny eettin itubed rig ontrcion all be esalihe, ncudng ver ops en prprat.
Foloing mpcion f e ad, gicltral nd ht is t n ow op r mll ain odcton t e ime f cnsrcton, cldig ay rud nd ad n onevaion r st-sde rgrms, all e sedd nd aoer rp hal be ilzd hen prpiae.
Sedng or vr ros ay e dlaed f e ontrcton f e letrc rasision ne is mpeed oo te n e ear r a vr rop o coe etalihd nd s ot qurd f he ad il e iled n te oloing ar.
he adwnr ay eust rund ver to eent il rsin n ras hre ostutin n he eecrc tasmsson ie s oplted f e eson s t sitbe or edig a vr ro.
Uness red pn y he lctic anmisin wer ad he ndwnr, he etrc rasmsson ner all moe feld tanes r epoay ras uit or e urose f cnsrctng he ecric anmsson ie pon e opltin Huse le 27, .
4 of e niil ontrcton d rsore e rea ots pevous e.
An lctic rnsisin wnr hal se od tliy pacics or nsrutig he lcric anmison ie n wt oniios, uh s letng o se ttng r ddng hn uilzig evy qipet.
An ecric anmison wer sall ae nd il ny utd and o str, o he xent paciabe, he ignal ndton f he nd ior o e cnsruton f he ecric anmsson ie.
Ifgred uon y e letrc rasmsion ner d he adwnr, te anoner y epir ny mge ased y ntrcton atiites n t onitos nd he ecric anmsson oner al ribuse he nower or e eaoabe ost icured o pir he mge.
f n letrc rnsision oner iizs eay qupent n tlnds r dlas, as r oher aurs hal e tiied o iimze il itubac.
For ch lcric anmisin ie, he ecric tanmison wer hll einae a int f nact r iqures r lims om n feted ron.
he eigaton sall cude aae, aelpone mbr, n ail drs, ad an des.
If n etrc rasmsson ner d a ndwer dspte aoenial olton f he strain sadads povdd in becion , e omisin ay pont a qalfed nivdul o nset he rpety r cmlinc.
An electric transmission owner shall repair a damaged underground drain tile as soon as practicable during construction of the electric transmission line.
If e uliied diidal temies ht hee as en a ilain f he pliale etoaton tnars, he cmmsson all ovde rl oic, olowd y rttn ntce, o e letrc rasision ner d he ntacor oertng or e letrc rasision nr ad rer crrctve tin o omly th he strain sadad.
Permanent repairs to the damaged underground drain tile shall be completed as soon as practicable after the initial construction of the electric transmission line is complete.
Te letic rnsision nr hal e esonile or e cstsf te oretie cio.
The repairs made to the damaged drain tile shall be of at least equal quality, size, and flow capacity of the original drain tile.
f he ecrc tasmsson wer r e onratr fr he ecric anmison wer os ot opy ith a vlid dr or oretie cion sud y he mmsso, te cmmsson y sse n rer euiing rrcive tin o e tken d ay poe ivl ealies der cion 8.9.
House File 2227, p.
The mmsson all stuct e npetor pontd y Huse le 27, .
3 b.
5 te omisin rgrdng he nent f e taues nd les ad he eposbiity f e nsetor o qure etraion cnfrmng th he anars stbised n useton .
Following the initial construction of an electric transmission line, the electric transmission owner shall remove from the easement area all rock larger than three inches in average diameter not native to the soil of the excavated land.
The rock removed from the excavated land that cannot be used to backfill shall be disposed of at a location and in a manner agreed upon by the electric transmission owner and the landowner.
c.
Upon completion of construction activities on a property, the electric transmission owner shall deep till agricultural land, including right-of-way access points or roads traversed by heavy construction equipment, to alleviate soil compaction.
The land shall be tilled at least eighteen inches deep in land used for crop production and twelve inches deep in other lands unless otherwise agreed to by the landowner.
d.
Upon completion of the electric transmission line, the electric transmission owner shall restore the soil conservation practices and structures damaged during construction of the electric transmission line to the elevation and grade existing on the land prior to the construction.
The soil used to repair embankments intended to retain water shall be well compacted.
Any vegetation disturbed during construction shall be reestablished, including cover crops when appropriate.
e.
Following compaction of the land, agricultural land that is not in row crop or small grain production at the time of construction, including hay ground and land in conservation or set-aside programs, shall be reseeded and a cover crop shall be utilized when appropriate.
Seeding for cover crops may be delayed if the construction of the electric transmission line is completed too late in the year for a cover crop to become established and is not required if the land will be tilled in the following year.
The landowner may request ground cover to prevent soil erosion in areas where construction on the electric transmission line is completed if the season is not suitable for seeding a cover crop.
f.
Unless agreed upon by the electric transmission owner and the landowner, the electric transmission owner shall remove field entrances or temporary roads built for the purpose of constructing the electric transmission line upon the completion House File 2227, p.
4 of the initial construction and restore the area to its previous use.
g.
An electric transmission owner shall use good utility practices for constructing the electric transmission line in wet conditions, such as electing to use matting or padding when utilizing heavy equipment.
An electric transmission owner shall grade and till any rutted land to restore, to the extent practicable, the original condition of the land prior to the construction of the electric transmission line.
If agreed upon by the electric transmission owner and the landowner, the landowner may repair any damage caused by construction activities in wet conditions and the electric transmission owner shall reimburse the landowner for the reasonable cost incurred to repair the damage.
If an electric transmission owner utilizes heavy equipment in wetlands or mudflats, mats or other measures shall be utilized to minimize soil disturbance.
h.
For each electric transmission line, the electric transmission owner shall designate a point of contact for inquiries or claims from an affected person.
The designation shall include a name, a telephone number, an email address, and an address.
4.
a.
If an electric transmission owner and a landowner dispute a potential violation of the restoration standards provided in subsection 3, the commission may appoint a qualified individual to inspect the property for compliance.
If the qualified individual determines that there has been a violation of the applicable restoration standards, the commission shall provide oral notice, followed by written notice, to the electric transmission owner and the contractor operating for the electric transmission owner and order corrective action to comply with the restoration standards.
The electric transmission owner shall be responsible for the costs of the corrective action.
b.
If the electric transmission owner or the contractor for the electric transmission owner does not comply with a valid order for corrective action issued by the commission, the commission may issue an order requiring corrective action to be taken and may impose civil penalties under section 478.29.
c.
The commission shall instruct the inspector appointed by House File 2227, p.
5 the commission regarding the content of the statutes and rules and the responsibility of the inspector to require restoration conforming with the standards established in subsection 3.
A eitoer or arncise r n lctic tanmisin ie hal ile th e ettin a iten nd rstraion an at oumns hw he qureets nd les of bscton 3il e e.
a.
The tiioer hll ovde a cpy f e lan o l anones f roery ht ill e dstrbd y he ital osrutin.
A petitioner for a franchise for an electric transmission line shall file with the petition a written land restoration plan that documents how the requirements and rules of subsection 3 will be met.
Nohig n his cion all ecue he pliaton of ovsons r roecingr rsorng rpety at re dffret hn hoe recrbd n ubecion , n ls aoped ner bscton , r n e and strtin la, if e ltratve rviins re ntind n geeens ideenenly ected y e lctic rnsisin wnr nd te anone.
The petitioner shall provide a copy of the plan to all landowners of property that will be disturbed by the initial construction.
Inepndnt gemets or nd etraion btwen e eetrc rasmsion ner d he adwnr hal be n iing d roidd o he mmsio.
b.
The mmsson y y aier low ritins rm he rqureets f usetin 3 fhe lctic rnsisin oner qusing aavr stsfes he anads et rth in cton A.A nd f heltrntie etos poosd by e lctic rnsisin wnr oud esoe te ad to aodtin s ood sr eter hn s rvied or n sbscton .
Nothing in this section shall preclude the application of provisions for protecting or restoring property that are different than those prescribed in subsection 3, in rules adopted under subsection 3, or in the land restoration plan, if the alternative provisions are contained in agreements independently executed by the electric transmission owner and the landowner.
The mmsson y aie rearton f aeprae ad rstrain lan f e letic rnsision nr ntrs no an riutual mact tiaion an r iiar geeent wth he popiae geces f hs tae ht stsfes te eqiemnts f bscton .
Independent agreements for land restoration between the electric transmission owner and the landowner shall be in writing and provided to the commission.
f amtiaion an r aremnt s sd o uly r atilly et e rqirmets of aad etoaton ln, e taemnt r gemet hal be ld ith e omisin nd hll e osdeed o e, or oe art , he ad etoaton ln or rpses f sbscton .
c.
Nohig n his cion all mt, xan, r thrise mdiy he ghs f ccss d blgaios or maes et frth n cion 8.7.
The commission may by waiver allow variations from the requirements of subsection 3 if the electric transmission owner requesting a waiver satisfies the standards set forth in section 17A.9A and if the alternative methods proposed by the electric transmission owner would restore the land to a condition as good as or better than as provided for in subsection 3.
Hue Fle 27, .
d.
6 Sc.
The commission may waive preparation of a separate land restoration plan if the electric transmission owner enters into an agricultural impact mitigation plan or similar agreement with the appropriate agencies of this state that satisfies the requirements of subsection 3.
FFCTVE TE.
If a mitigation plan or agreement is used to fully or partially meet the requirements of a land restoration plan, the statement or agreement shall be filed with the commission and shall be considered to be, or to be part of, the land restoration plan for purposes of subsection 3.
his t, engdemd f mmdate ipotace tks ffct pn ncten.
6.
Sc.
Nothing in this section shall limit, expand, or otherwise modify the rights of access and obligations for damages set forth in section 478.17.
ETOATIE PLIABLIY.
House File 2227, p.
TisAt ppies rtraciely o anmisin ies nlued in aeerlly rgiteed aning thriy on-erm anmison ln aprvedn r ftr uly, 02.
6 Sec.
PT RASEY MY IC IR Seaer f e oue Peidnt f he nte Ihrey erify at is il riiatd n he ose d is on s oue ile 2, intyfist eeal seml.
3.
EGANneson Cif l>k tJhp use Aprvd 226 KM ENpDS C j ovrnr
EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
Sec.
4.
RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY.
This Act applies retroactively to transmission lines included in a federally registered planning authority long-term transmission plan approved on or after July 1, 2024.
______________________________ ______________________________ PAT GRASSLEY AMY SINCLAIR Speaker of the House President of the Senate I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and is known as House File 2227, Ninety-first General Assembly.
______________________________ MEGHAN NELSON Chief Clerk of the House Approved _______________, 2026 ______________________________ KIM REYNOLDS Governor
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Amendments

1 amendment

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Action History

  1. Signed by Governor.

  2. Reported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.

  3. Message from Senate.

  4. Immediate message.

  5. Passed Senate, yeas 45, nays 0.

  6. Placed on calendar.

  7. Committee report, recommending passage.

  8. Subcommittee recommends passage.

  9. Subcommittee Meeting: 03/11/2026 12:30PM Room 217 Conference Room.

  10. Subcommittee: Sweeney, Drey, and Driscoll.

  11. Read first time, referred to Commerce.

  12. Message from House.

  13. Immediate message.

  14. Passed House, yeas 90, nays 0.

  15. Amendment H-8047 adopted.

  16. Amendment H-8047 filed.

  17. Introduced, placed on calendar.

Sponsors

  • COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (149)

149 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 149 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Shall the bill pass?

Passed 45 Yea · 0 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 30003
Democrat 15003
Total 45006
% of votes cast 88%0%0%12%
How each member voted (51)
Member Party Vote
Art Staed Democrat Yea
Catelin Drey Democrat Yea
Cindy Winckler Democrat Yea
Herman C. Quirmbach Democrat Yea
Izaah Knox Democrat Yea
Janet Petersen Democrat Yea
Janice Weiner Democrat Yea
Liz Bennett Democrat Yea
Matt Blake Democrat Yea
Mike Zimmer Democrat Yea
Molly Donahue Democrat Yea
Renee Hardman Democrat Yea
Sarah Trone Garriott Democrat Not Voting
Sarah Trone Garriott Democrat Not Voting
Thomas Townsend Democrat Yea
Tony Bisignano Democrat Yea
William A. Dotzler Jr. Democrat Yea
Zach Wahls Democrat Not Voting
Adrian Dickey Republican Yea
Amy Sinclair Republican Yea
Annette Sweeney Republican Yea
Carrie Koelker Republican Yea
Charlie McClintock Republican Yea
Cherielynn Westrich Republican Yea
Dan Dawson Republican Yea
Dan Zumbach Republican Yea
Dave Sires Republican Yea
David D. Rowley Republican Not Voting
Dawn Driscoll Republican Yea
Dennis Guth Republican Yea
Doug Campbell Republican Yea
Jack Whitver Republican Yea
Jason Schultz Republican Yea
Jeff Reichman Republican Yea
Jeff Taylor Republican Yea
Jesse Green Republican Yea
Julian B. Garrett Republican Not Voting
Kara Warme Republican Yea
Ken Rozenboom Republican Yea
Kerry Gruenhagen Republican Yea
Kevin Alons Republican Yea
Lynn Evans Republican Yea
Mark Costello Republican Yea
Mark S. Lofgren Republican Not Voting
Mike Bousselot Republican Yea
Mike Klimesh Republican Yea
Mike Pike Republican Yea
Sandy Salmon Republican Yea
Scott Webster Republican Yea
Tim Kraayenbrink Republican Yea
Tom Shipley Republican Yea

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HF 2227?
HF 2227 is sponsored by COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE.
What is the current status of HF 2227?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 30, 2026. Enacted.
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