Air quality funding bill advances to governor's office

This week the Iowa House debated Senate File 488, which establishes a framework for the Air Quality Bureau to collect fees from companies for certain regulated and permitted activities. The bill passed by a vote of 93-3. During debate, Rep. Charles Isenhart (D-Dubuque) offered an amendment that would not allow general fund appropriations to be allocated to the fund, which is contrary to the stakeholder recommendations. The amendment failed on a record vote. Now that the bill has passed both the House and Senate, it will go to the Governor for final approval.

After the legislative process is complete, the rulemaking process will begin. Regulated entities will receive communication from DNR with information about stakeholder meetings and establishing major and minor source fees. ABI will continue to keep members updated on the issue as it progresses.