HF 2117 — A bill for an act relating to groundwater monitoring in the state, including the establishment of a pilot program, and including effective date provisions.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

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This bill establishes a pilot program for groundwater monitoring in Iowa, allowing retrofitting of existing wells with monitoring equipment and appropriating funding for this initiative.

• There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department of natural resources for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, the following amount, or so much thereof as is necessary, to be used for the purposes designated: For purposes of establishing and administering a groundwater monitoring expansion program created in this section, including but not limited to procurement of certified monitoring equipment; installation, calibration, and maintenance; telemetry and data integration; program evaluation; and reporting: $100,000

  This adds funding for a groundwater monitoring expansion program.

• Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated in this section that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain available for expenditure for the purposes designated until the close of the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028, and ending June 30, 2029.

  This change allows unspent funds to carry over for an extended period.

• The program shall provide retrofitting for up to one hundred existing wells owned by businesses or other private entities with monitoring equipment under the Iowa groundwater monitoring pilot program. Participation shall be voluntary and require written consent of the property owner.

  This establishes a pilot program for retrofitting existing wells with monitoring equipment.

• The Iowa geological survey shall provide technical guidance to the department of natural resources regarding site selection, installation specifications, and data evaluation. The Iowa geological survey shall prioritize wells that represent a diversity of aquifers and geographic regions to maximize the usefulness of the monitoring data.

  This mandates the Iowa geological survey to oversee and prioritize well retrofitting for effective monitoring.

• Installations installed pursuant to this section shall meet the following standards: a. Use sanitary well caps and sealed cable entry systems to prevent contamination. b. Be performed by licensed well professionals in compliance with Iowa well construction and public health standards. c. For all monitoring equipment installed in potable wells, be certified for or equivalent to national sanitation foundation/American national standards institute standards 61 and 372 to ensure safety for drinking water.

  This sets specific standards for the installation of monitoring equipment to ensure safety.

• All monitoring data shall be securely transmitted to the Iowa geological survey for aggregation, storage, and analysis and shall be integrated into the Iowa geological survey’s existing groundwater monitoring network. Well owners shall have access to their own monitoring data for water management and planning.

  This requires data to be shared with the Iowa geological survey and allows well owners access to their data.

• The department of natural resources, in consultation with the Iowa geological survey, shall submit a report to the general assembly by December 31, 2028, with the following information: a. The number and location of wells retrofitted. b. Data quality and system reliability. c. Cost per installation. d. Recommendations for statewide expansion of groundwater monitoring.

  This requires a report on the pilot program's outcomes and recommendations for future actions.

• This section is repealed July 1, 2029.

  This establishes a sunset provision for the pilot program.

• This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.

  This provides for the immediate effect of the bill upon passage.

Action History

1. February 23, 2026

   Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2687.

2. February 19, 2026

   Committee vote: Yeas, 20. Nays, 1.

3. February 19, 2026

   Committee report, recommending passage.

4. February 17, 2026

   Subcommittee recommends passage.

5. February 16, 2026

   Subcommittee Meeting: 02/17/2026 8:00AM RM 305.

6. February 16, 2026

   Subcommittee: Gearhart, Golding and Levin.

7. January 21, 2026

   Introduced, referred to Natural Resources.

Sponsors

• Jason Gearhart · Primary

Votes

Subjects