The bill amends existing water allocation laws in Iowa, specifically addressing the definition and determination of "beneficial use" in the context of water permits. It removes the current definition of beneficial use, which is defined as the application of water to a useful purpose that benefits the user while prohibiting waste or pollution. Instead, the bill stipulates that the Department of Natural Resources will assess beneficial use on a case-by-case basis when evaluating applications for permits related to the diversion, storage, or withdrawal of water, and this assessment will not be based on predefined categories of use.

Additionally, the bill modifies the processing priority for permit applications, changing the language from "where" to "when" to clarify circumstances under which priority may be adjusted. It mandates that the department must approve or deny permit applications within ninety days and renewal applications within thirty days, while allowing for extensions if requested by the applicant. The bill also emphasizes the importance of routine conservation practices and emergency measures in the permits granted after July 1, 1986.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 455B.261, 455B.265