A bill for an act relating to levee and drainage districts, by providing for the repair or reconstruction of levees, requesting the establishment of a legislative interim committee to consider levee and drainage district laws, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 711.)
Impact
The bill not only sets up financial support for levee improvements but also establishes an Office of Levee Safety. This new office will work with the Flood Mitigation Board to conduct statewide assessments of levee conditions and provide communities with technical assistance. A crucial part of effective water management, the bill aims to mitigate hazardous events caused by levee failure, which could have serious consequences for agricultural and residential areas alike. Furthermore, local levee districts are expected to actively participate in the statewide analysis, improving accountability in levee management.
Summary
House Study Bill 244 (HSB244) addresses the management and improvement of levee and drainage districts in Iowa. The bill initiates the establishment of a levee improvement fund funded by a portion of the state's wagering tax receipts. Specifically, HSB244 allocates $5 million annually for five years to support the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management's initiatives related to levee repairs and reconstructions. This funding is seen as crucial to reducing risks associated with flood events and enhancing the structural integrity of the state's levees.
Contention
A significant aspect of HSB244 is the request for the establishment of a legislative interim study committee tasked with reviewing Iowa's levee and drainage district laws. The committee's focus will be on potential updates to laws that govern the rights and responsibilities of landowners in managing water resources. This could spark debate among stakeholders about local governance and decision-making power in water management issues. While proponents argue that more effective oversight and funding could enhance levee resilience, opponents may raise concerns over the adequacy of local input in decisions that significantly affect their communities.
Replaced by
A bill for an act relating to levee and drainage districts, by providing for the repair or reconstruction of levees, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 244.) Effective date: 06/01/2023.
A bill for an act relating to drainage districts and levees, including district parcel records, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SF 2349.) Effective date: 04/09/2026.
A bill for an act relating to drainage or levee districts, by exempting an application fee that may be charged to certain persons applying for an easement to install fiber optic cable, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2773.)
A bill for an act relating to drainage or levee districts, by exempting an application fee that may be charged to certain persons applying for an easement to install fiber optic cable, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 754.)
A bill for an act providing for the preparation and filing of a district parcel record that identifies all parcels contained within a drainage or levee district that is part of a county.(See SF 593.)
A bill for an act providing for the preparation and filing of a district parcel record that identifies all parcels contained within a drainage or levee district that is part of a county. (Formerly SSB 1178.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters including county payment for district court furnishings, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 1039.)