February 28, 2013
Issue #7
IRWA
Legislative
Newsletter
WEEK SEVEN -- THE FUNNEL APPROACHES
The race to beat the funnel deadline is on as subcommittees and full committees
meet to consider which bills will have life for another few weeks. The biggest
news, outside of the frenetic pace of legislative action, was the release of House
and Senate budget targets. This sets the stage for developing the FY 2014 state
budget. The two sides are about $500 million apart and view the disposition of
the nearly $1 billion surplus differently. Republicans state that they will not use
one-time money to fund ongoing activities and instead will return it to the people.
Democrats insist that the health of the state budget means that the state can
spend more on its priorities.
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Both House Republicans and Senate Democrats released their budget targets for
the session. Overall, the Republicans spend $6.4 billion; the Democrats spend
$6.9 billion.
Administration & Regulation: $55.12 million (House); $56.81 million (Governor);
$55.99 million (Senate)

Ag & Natural Resource : $36.35 million (House); $35.35 million (Governor);
$60.40 million (Senate)

Economic Development: $45.01 million (House); $72.90 million (Governor);
$78.56 million (Senate)

Education: $854.93 million (House); $914.37 million (Governor); $964.16 million
(Senate)

Health & Human Services: $1.699 billion (House); $1.825 billion (Governor);
$1.894 billion (Senate)

Justice Systems: $702.20 million (House); $701.84 million (Governor); $727.80
million (Senate)

Transportation & Capitals: $0 (House); $5.5million (Governor); $5.5 million
(Senate)

Standings: $2.982 billion (House); $2.931 billion (Governor); $3.112 billion
(Senate)

TOTAL: $6.414 billion (House); $6.543 billion (Governor); $6.898 billion
(Senate)
TWO MILE LIMIT UPDATE
HSB 111 is on the agenda for the House Economic Growth Committee on Monday. The
bill is supposedly being amended to address concerns that have been raised by rural water
but that language has not been shared with us. I anticipate that this language will still
include:
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Requiring 504 water associations to comply with the notice provisions of the
existing 2-mile limit law
Requiring specific notification to a community if a rural water district or
association seeks a federal loan for projects within two miles of a city
Establishment of limitations on compensation that a rural water district or
association can expect if existing territory is taken over by a city
At this point, I anticipate that the bill will come out of committee but that there are
significant divisions within both caucuses as to whether or not this is a good approach. If
the bill does come out of committee, it will be to “keep the issue alive” through the first
legislative funnel deadline.
IRWA continues to oppose this legislation and has indicated that the majority of it
conflicts with federal 1926b protection. We have not been asked to provide any options
for reaching a compromise.
WATER CONSERVATION PLANNING BILL ADVANCES
SF 165, as originally introduced, increased reporting requirements on water use permit
holders that IRWA considered onerous and duplicative. In addition, the bill provided
$700,000 for drought planning and water conservation assistance. At the subcommittee,
DNR presented alternatives to utilize the proposed funding. Senator Rob Hogg, after
gathering input from water utilities, agreed to eliminate all language except for the
funding options.
The bill will be amended as follows:

Re-establishment of aquifer monitoring network -- $85,000 (includes $25,000 in one
time costs.
This measures water levels in the existing water aquifer monitoring well system and
will be used to create and update existing models on groundwater levels

Groundwater source mapping and aquifer modeling for water supply prediction -$150,000
This will produce enhanced mapping of groundwater sources and allow for more
individual assistance to water users in planning water use needs and supply for the
future.

Water Conservation & Technical Assistance -- $250,000
This will provide individual technical assistance to community and other water
suppliers to develop water conservation (short-term and long-term) plans. DNR
intends to work with IRWA and IAMU on a grant basis to provide this technical
assistance.

Soil moisture, weather and shallow water table observation network -- $475,000 one
time cost, $75,000 annual maintenance cost
This plan would establish a network of monitoring stations to measure soil moisture
to assist in water usage planning.
Based on the changes that will be made to the bill by the Senate Natural Resources and
Environment Committee, IRWA is now registered in support of the bill.
BILLS OF INTEREST
HF 211: This bill would prohibit a construction contract including any requirements that
mediation, arbitration or litigation take place outside of the state of Iowa. The bill was
amended on the House floor to clarify that state law takes precedence even if a
boilerplate contract includes such language. IRWA is registered in support of the bill that
passed the House 89-7.
HF 219: This is the perennial eminent domain bill that targets surface drinking water
development. The bill would make it more difficult to develop surface drinking water
supplies. IRWA is registered opposed to the bill which was approved by the House
Judiciary Committee and is on the House debate calendar.
For more information contact:
Emily Piper
515-202-7772
emily@ialobbyresources.com
To be added to the distribution list, please email Cathy Law at claw@iowaruralwater.org.