The bill amends existing laws regulating animal feeding operations (AFOs) in Iowa, specifically addressing water quality standards and the management of manure and effluent. It introduces new provisions that allow the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) to establish more stringent rules than federal standards for the storage, treatment, and application of manure from AFOs, thereby enhancing water quality protections. The bill also removes previous limitations that prevented EPC rules from being more stringent than federal law and eliminates exemptions for these rules from periodic administrative review.

Additionally, the bill outlines penalties for violations of its provisions, including civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for administrative violations and up to $5,000 per day for judicial violations. The amendments aim to ensure that AFOs comply with both state and federal regulations while prioritizing the preservation of water quality in Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 455B.173, 17A.7, 459.304, 459A.104, 459A.401