Rural Matters: Final Days of the 91st Iowa General Assembly

Legislative Session Update: Timeline and Progress

The last day of per diem for Iowa legislators is Friday, May 2, 2026. There is still much to do before the end of the session. Budget negotiations are still in the early stages. Agreements on funding must be reached before the appropriations bill can proceed. This year's session is expected to last at least two to three additional weeks.

The Budget must be passed by June 30.

It has been a busy legislative year with 2,299 bills filed. 108 bills have made it through both House and Senate, and the Governor has signed 35 bills so far. Many of the active bills left to pass are more controversial and have been bouncing back and forth between the Senate and House.

Key Agricultural Legislation: Bills Affecting Landus Members

Bills that are still active that we are watching which more directly affect Landus members include:

1. Governor's Energy Bill: SF 585, HF 834

• All the energy ads on televisions are regarding these bills. Power utilities supporting ROFR legislation plus other utilities company protections versus the rate payers. Landus is part of the rate payer groups working to protect against much higher future energy rates.

2. Oil & Gas Production (primarily Hydrogen): SF546

• This bill is very concerning regarding the property rights and mineral rights of landowners. There is language in this bill regarding "nonconsenting landowners" and punitive actions that can be taken against these nonconsenting landowners. 
• If Hydrogen exploration is in fact coming to Iowa – there needs to be thoughtful and clear protection and processes for landowner rights in the Iowa Code.

3. Grain Indemnity Fund: HF 999, SF 608

• Updating and modernizing the Iowa Grain Indemnity Fund and protections for farmers. This is a fund that provides a safety net for producers if a grain dealer goes out of business or files bankruptcy. The changes include increasing the fund total above the current $8 million.

• The House version calls for the fund to grow to $16 million and to add coverage for deferred price contracts.

• The Senate version calls for the fund to grow to $12 million and to add coverage for deferred price AND deferred payment contracts.

• The indemnity fund is funded by the farmer at a ¼ cent per bushel deduction at the time of sale.

4. Property Tax Exemption of Above Ground Storage Tanks: HSB 238

• Landus actively supports this bill to bring consistency for all county tax assessments of above ground tanks.

We appreciate the efforts of Landus member, Representative Mike Sexton, who is working on this bill!

5. Property Tax Reform: SSB 1227, HSB 328

• This action was on the Governor's main agenda for 2025.

• There has been much discussion and many changes to these bills and promises to be part of a vigorous discussion before end of session.

6. Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM): SF383, HF 852

• This is a bill to protect Iowa's small and private pharmacies. Early attempts were very expensive and included ALL pharmacies (big chains). Current discussion includes revenue neutral plans that will help small private pharmacies while not increasing individuals and company health plans costs of medicine.

7. Eminent Domain Protection for Iowa Farmers

Eminent Domain protection for Landowners against the process of Eminent Domain for private companies and private for-profit projects. (Current issue, the CO2 pipeline)

• The House has passed several bills which the Senate has refused to bring to the Senate floor for debate.

• Senator Bousselot – in a controversial move amended HF 639 to remove the eminent domain protection and added several additional items to the bill which removed the main action of the original bill. Since then, there has been much discussion within the Senate urging Senate leadership to bring the matter to the floor for actual discussion and a vote. ** If this is an issue to you – now is the time to contact your local Senator** 

• While Landus members have expressed concern regarding the connection between the CO2 pipeline and ethanol industry success, surveys among Iowans and Landus members shows overwhelming support for landowner rights against private for-profit projects by private individuals and companies.

• This topic promises to continue to bring controversy to the legislative process through the final days of session.

Contact Landus About Your Legislative Concerns

If these bills mentioned or others are on your radar this session, and you have input for Landus or need additional resources that we can provide - please reach out to sue.tronchetti@landus.ag or call me at 515-370-0232.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current status of the Iowa legislative session?

The 91st Iowa General Assembly's per diem ends May 2, 2026, but the session is expected to continue for 2-3 additional weeks. Budget negotiations are in early stages, with 108 bills passed by both chambers and 35 signed by the Governor so far. The final budget must be passed by June 30.

How would changes to the Grain Indemnity Fund affect farmers?

The proposed changes would increase the fund total from $8 million to either $12 million (Senate version) or $16 million (House version) and expand coverage to include deferred price contracts, with the Senate version also including deferred payment contracts. The fund continues to be supported by a ¼ cent per bushel deduction at the time of sale.

What is Landus' position on the property tax exemption for above ground storage tanks?

Landus actively supports HSB 238, which would bring consistency to county tax assessments of above ground tanks across Iowa. Landus member Representative Mike Sexton is working on advancing this legislation.

How would the Oil & Gas Production bill (SF546) impact landowners?

SF546 contains concerning language about "nonconsenting landowners" and potential punitive actions against them. If hydrogen exploration moves forward in Iowa, Landus believes clear protections and processes for landowner rights must be established in Iowa Code.

What is happening with eminent domain protection legislation?

While the House has passed several bills protecting landowners from eminent domain for private, for-profit projects (like CO2 pipelines), the Senate has not brought these to the floor. Senator Bousselot controversially amended HF 639 to remove eminent domain protections. Surveys show overwhelming support among Iowans and Landus members for landowner rights against private for-profit projects.