The bill amends existing laws regarding the approval process for city utilities in Iowa. It removes the requirement for a public hearing before granting, amending, extending, or renewing a franchise, allowing the city council to make these decisions in a single meeting instead of requiring multiple council meetings for consideration and voting. Additionally, the bill eliminates the need for voter approval for such proposals, replacing it with a process where the city council can set forth its proposal in a resolution, followed by a public hearing. The notice for this hearing must be published at least 30 days in advance.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for discontinuing a city utility and disposing of it by sale. Previously, such proposals required voter approval and must be made available for at least 60 days before an election. The new language allows the city council to publish a resolution and hold a public hearing at least 30 days prior to making a final determination on the proposal. This streamlining of the approval process aims to enhance efficiency in city governance regarding utility management.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 364.2, 376.1