Bill Text: IA SF512 | 2017-2018 | 87th General Assembly | Enrolled


Bill Title: A bill for an act relating to water quality by amending the wastewater treatment financial assistance program, creating a water quality infrastructure fund, establishing a water quality financing program, providing for cost-share programs for infrastructure on agricultural and urban land under the water quality initiative, creating a water service excise tax and a related sales tax exemption, making transfers and appropriations and other changes properly related to water quality, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1034 and SF 482.) Various effective dates; see section 27 of bill.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Passed) 2018-01-31 - Signed by Governor. S.J. 338. [SF512 Detail]

Download: Iowa-2017-SF512-Enrolled.html

Senate File 512 - Enrolled




                              SENATE FILE       
                              BY  COMMITTEE ON
                                  APPROPRIATIONS

                              (SUCCESSOR TO SF 482)
                              (SUCCESSOR TO SSB
                                  1034)
 \5
                                   A BILL FOR
 \1
                                        Senate File 512

                             AN ACT
 RELATING TO WATER QUALITY BY AMENDING THE WASTEWATER
    TREATMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, CREATING A WATER
    QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND, ESTABLISHING A WATER QUALITY
    FINANCING PROGRAM, PROVIDING FOR COST=SHARE PROGRAMS FOR
    INFRASTRUCTURE ON AGRICULTURAL AND URBAN LAND UNDER THE
    WATER QUALITY INITIATIVE, CREATING A WATER SERVICE EXCISE
    TAX AND A RELATED SALES TAX EXEMPTION, MAKING TRANSFERS AND
    APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER CHANGES PROPERLY RELATED TO WATER
    QUALITY, AND INCLUDING EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISIONS.

 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
    Section 1.  Section 8.57, subsection 5, paragraph f,
 subparagraph (1), Code 2017, is amended by adding the following
 new subparagraph division:
    NEW SUBPARAGRAPH DIVISION.  (0c)  (i)  For each fiscal year
 of the period beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2029,
 of the wagering tax receipts received pursuant to sections
 99D.17 and 99F.11, the next fifteen million dollars shall be
 deposited in the water quality infrastructure fund created in
 section 8.57B.
    (ii)  Notwithstanding subparagraph subdivision (i), this
 subparagraph division (0c) is repealed on one of the following
 dates, whichever is earlier:
    (A)  On July 1 following the enactment date that the tax
 rate for the sales tax imposed upon the retail sales price of
 tangible personal property and the furnishing of enumerated
 services sold in this state in effect on July 1, 2016, is
 increased.
    (B)  On July 1, 2029.
    Sec. 2.  Section 8.57, subsection 5, paragraph f,
 subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (d), Code 2017, is
 amended to read as follows:
    (d)  For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2013, and for
 each fiscal year thereafter, the total moneys in excess of the
 moneys deposited under this paragraph "f" in the revenue bonds
 debt service fund, the revenue bonds federal subsidy holdback
 fund, the vision Iowa fund, the water quality infrastructure
 fund, and the Iowa skilled worker and job creation fund shall
 be deposited in the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and shall
 be used as provided in this section, notwithstanding section
 8.60.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  8.57B  Water quality infrastructure
 fund ==== creation ==== appropriations.
    1.  A water quality infrastructure fund is created within
 the division of soil conservation and water quality of the
 department of agriculture and land stewardship.  The fund
 shall consist of moneys transferred pursuant to section 8.57,
 subsection 5, paragraph "f", subparagraph (1), subparagraph
 division (0c), moneys transferred to the fund pursuant to
 section 423G.6, and appropriations made to the fund and
 transfers of interest, earnings, and moneys from other funds
 as provided by law.
    2.  The fund shall be separate from the general fund of the
 state and the balance in the fund shall not be considered part
 of the balance of the general fund of the state.  However, the
 fund shall be considered a special account for the purposes
 of section 8.53, relating to generally accepted accounting
 principles.
    3.  Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the division
 of soil conservation and water quality of the department of
 agriculture and land stewardship for the exclusive purpose of
 supporting water quality agriculture infrastructure programs
 created in section 466B.43.
    4.  Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund
 that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of a
 fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain available for
 expenditure for the purposes designated.  Notwithstanding
 section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in
 the fund shall be credited to the fund.
    Sec. 4.  Section 16.134, Code 2017, is amended to read as
 follows:
    16.134  Wastewater and drinking water treatment financial
 assistance program.
    1.  The Iowa finance authority shall establish and
 administer a wastewater and drinking water treatment financial
 assistance program. The purpose of the program shall be to
 provide financial assistance to enhance water quality. The
 program shall be administered in accordance with rules adopted
 by the authority pursuant to chapter 17A.  For purposes of
 this section, "program" means the wastewater and drinking water
  treatment financial assistance program and "committee" means the
 water quality financing review committee created in subsection
 9.
    2.  A wastewater and drinking water treatment financial
 assistance fund is created and shall consist of appropriations
 made to the fund and transfers of interest, earnings, and
 moneys from other funds as provided by law.  Moneys transferred
 to the fund pursuant to section 16.134A are appropriated to the
 authority for purposes of the program. Moneys in the fund are
 not subject to section 8.33. Notwithstanding section 12C.7,
 subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the fund shall
 be credited to the fund.
    3.  Financial assistance under the program shall be used
 to install or upgrade wastewater treatment facilities and
 systems and drinking water treatment facilities and systems,
 including source water protection projects, and for engineering
 or technical assistance for facility planning and design.
    4.  The authority committee shall distribute approve
  financial assistance in from the fund in accordance with the
 following:
    a.  The goal of the program shall be to base awards on the
 impact of the grant combined with other sources of financing to
 ensure that sewer rates do not exceed one and one=half percent
 of a community's median household income.
    b.  a.  Communities shall be eligible for financial
 assistance by qualifying as Priority shall be given for
 projects in which a disadvantaged community and is seeking
 financial assistance for the installation or upgrade of
 wastewater treatment facilities due to regulatory activity
 by the department of natural resources and drinking water
 treatment facilities. For purposes of this section, the term
 "disadvantaged community" means the same as defined by the
 department.
    c.  b.  Priority shall be given to projects in which the
  meeting criteria established in section 455B.199B in which the
 applicant seeks financial assistance is to be used to obtain
  with financing under the water pollution control works and
 drinking water facilities financing program pursuant to section
 16.131 or other federal, or state, or private financing.
    d.  c.  Priority shall also be given to projects whose
 completion will provide significant improvement to water
 quality in the relevant watershed.
    e.  d.  Priority shall also be given to communities that
 employ an alternative wastewater treatment technology pursuant
 to section 455B.199C.
    f.  e.  Priority shall be also be given to those communities
 where sewer or water rates are the highest as a percentage of
 that community's median household income.
    f.  Priority shall also be given to communities that employ
 technology to address the latest version of the "Iowa Nutrient
 Reduction Strategy" initially presented in November 2012 by the
 department of agriculture and land stewardship, the department
 of natural resources, and Iowa state university of science and
 technology.
    g.  Financial assistance in the form of grants shall be
 issued on an annual basis.
    h.  An applicant shall not receive a grant that exceeds five
 hundred thousand dollars.
    4A.  A utility management organization formed under chapter
 28E or operated by a rural water system organized under chapter
 357A or chapter 504 shall be considered eligible for financial
 assistance under the program.
    5.  The authority in cooperation with the department of
 natural resources shall share provide information and resources
 to the committee when the committee is determining the
 qualifications of a community for financial assistance from the
 fund.
    6.  The authority shall enter into agreements with financial
 assistance recipients and distribute moneys under the program
 pursuant to financial assistance determinations made by the
 committee.  The authority may use an amount of not more than
 four one percent of any moneys appropriated for deposit in the
 fund for administration purposes.
    7.  By October 1 of each year, the authority shall submit
 a report to the governor and the general assembly itemizing
 expenditures under the program during the previous fiscal year,
 if any.
    8.  a.  Beginning September 1, 2027, and every ten years
 thereafter, a program review committee is established for
 purposes of reviewing the wastewater and drinking water
 treatment financial assistance program.  By December 1 of the
 same year, the program review committee shall file a report
 with the governor and the general assembly that reviews the
 effectiveness of the program during the prior ten fiscal years.
    b.  The program review committee shall consist of the
 following members:
    (1)  The governor or the governor's designee.
    (2)  The secretary of agriculture or the secretary's
 designee.
    (3)  The executive director of the authority or the executive
 director's designee.
    (4)  The director of the department of natural resources or
 the director's designee.
    (5)  Four members of the general assembly, with two from the
 senate and two from the house of representatives and not more
 than one member from each chamber being from the same political
 party. The two senators shall be designated one member each
 by the president of the senate, after consultation with the
 majority leader of the senate, and by the minority leader of
 the senate. The two representatives shall be designated one
 member each by the speaker of the house of representatives,
 after consultation with the majority leader of the house of
 representatives, and by the minority leader of the house of
 representatives.
    c.  Staffing services shall be provided by the authority.
    9.  a.  A water quality financing review committee is
 created consisting of the secretary of agriculture or the
 secretary's designee, the executive director of the authority
 or the executive director's designee, and the director of the
 department of natural resources or the director's designee.
    b.  The committee shall review and approve or deny
 applications for financial assistance under the wastewater
 and drinking water treatment financial assistance program
 established in this section.
    Sec. 5.  NEW SECTION.  16.134A  Water quality financial
 assistance fund.
    1.  A water quality financial assistance fund is created in
 the state treasury as a revolving fund.
    2.  The fund shall consist of all of the following:
    a.  (1)  Moneys transferred to the fund pursuant to section
 423G.6.
    (2)  This paragraph "a" is repealed on January 1, 2030.
    b.  Appropriations made to the fund and transfers of
 interest, earnings, and moneys from other funds as provided by
 law.
    3.  For each fiscal year in the fiscal period beginning
 July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2029, there is appropriated
 the following percentages of the balance of the fund for the
 following purposes:
    a.  Forty percent to the Iowa finance authority to support
 the wastewater and drinking water treatment financial
 assistance program created in section 16.134.
    b.  Forty=five percent to the Iowa finance authority to be
 credited to the water quality financing program fund created
 pursuant to section 16.144.
    c.  Fifteen percent to the division of soil conservation
 and water quality of the department of agriculture and land
 stewardship to support the water quality urban infrastructure
 program created in section 466B.44.
    4.  Moneys in the fund are not subject to section 8.33.
 Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or
 earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund.
    Sec. 6.  NEW SECTION.  16.142  Definitions.
    As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
    1.  "Cost" means all costs, charges, expenses, or other
 indebtedness incurred by a loan recipient and determined by
 the authority as reasonable and necessary for carrying out
 all works and undertakings necessary or incidental to the
 accomplishment of any project.
    2.  "Eligible entity" means a municipality or a landowner,
 as determined by the authority, a public utility as defined
 in section 476.1, or a rural water district or rural water
 association as defined in section 357A.1.
    3.  "Loan recipient" means an eligible entity that has
 received a loan under the program.
    4.  "Municipality" means a governmental body such as a state
 agency or a political subdivision of the state. Municipality
 includes but is not limited to a city, city utility, county,
 soil and water conservation district, sanitary district, a
 subdistrict of any of the foregoing districts, a state agency,
 or other governmental body or corporation empowered to provide
 sewage collection and treatment services or drinking water, or
 any entity jointly exercising governmental powers pursuant to
 chapter 28E or 28F, or any other combination of two or more
 governmental bodies or corporations acting jointly under the
 laws of this state in connection with a project.
    5.  "Program" means the water quality financing program
 created in this part.
    6.  "Project" means any combination of improvements,
 structures, developments, tasks, actions, constructions,
 modifications, operations, or practices designed to improve
 water quality that are proposed by an eligible entity and
 approved by the authority. "Project" includes but is not
 limited to any of the following:
    a.  A project meeting the requirements of part 2 of this
 subchapter.
    b.  A project, operation, or practice undertaken or carried
 out to address watershed protection, flood prevention, or water
 quality improvement.
    c.  A project meeting the requirements of a sponsor project
 under section 455B.199.
    Sec. 7.  NEW SECTION.  16.143  Water quality financing
 program.
    1.  The authority, in cooperation with the department of
 natural resources and the department of agriculture and land
 stewardship, shall establish and administer a water quality
 financing program.  The purpose of the program shall be to
 provide financial assistance to enhance the quality of surface
 water and groundwater, particularly by providing financial
 assistance for projects designed to improve water quality
 by addressing point and nonpoint sources, with a higher
 prioritization provided to collaborative efforts.
    2.  The authority shall determine the interest rate
 and repayment terms for loans made under the program, in
 cooperation with the department of natural resources and
 the department of agriculture and land stewardship, and the
 authority shall enter into loan agreements with eligible
 entities in compliance with and subject to the terms and
 conditions of the program as described in this part.
    3.  The authority may charge loan recipients fees and assess
 costs against such recipients necessary for the continued
 operation of the program. Such fees and costs shall not exceed
 the costs directly associated with the administration of the
 program. Fees and costs collected pursuant to this subsection
 shall be deposited in the appropriate fund or account created
 in section 16.144.
    4.  The program shall be administered by the authority in
 accordance with rules adopted by the authority pursuant to
 chapter 17A.
    Sec. 8.  NEW SECTION.  16.144  Water quality financing program
 fund ==== appropriation ==== other funds.
    1.  a.  A water quality financing program fund is created
 and shall consist of appropriations made to the fund, moneys
 credited to the fund pursuant to section 16.134A, and transfers
 of interest, earnings, and moneys from other funds as provided
 by law. The fund shall be administered by the authority as
 a revolving fund. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to
 the authority for purposes of the program. Notwithstanding
 section 8.33, moneys in the fund that remain unencumbered or
 unobligated at the close of a fiscal year shall not revert
 but shall remain available for expenditure for the purposes
 designated.  Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2,
 interest or earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited
 to the fund.
    b.  The authority shall use the moneys in the fund to provide
 financial assistance to eligible entities under the program.
 The authority may provide financial assistance in the form
 deemed most convenient for the efficient financing of projects,
 including loans, forgivable loans, or grants. The authority
 shall administer the fund and the program in such a manner
 as to provide a permanent source of water quality project
 financial assistance to eligible entities.
    c.  The authority may annually use an amount of not more
 than one percent of the moneys in the fund for administrative
 purposes.
    2.  a.  The authority may establish and maintain other
 funds and accounts determined to be necessary to carry out the
 purposes of the program and shall provide for the funding,
 administration, investment, restrictions, and disposition of
 the funds and accounts.
    b.  Moneys appropriated to and used by the authority for
 purposes of paying the costs and expenses associated with
 the administration of the program shall be administered as
 determined by the authority.
    c.  All moneys transferred to the authority for purposes of
 the program shall be deposited and held in a fund or account
 established and maintained pursuant to this section.
    3.  The funds or accounts held by the authority, or a trustee
 acting on behalf of the authority pursuant to a trust agreement
 related to the program, shall not be considered part of the
 general fund of the state, are not subject to appropriation for
 any other purpose by the general assembly, and in determining
 a general fund balance shall not be included in the general
 fund of the state, but shall remain in the funds and accounts
 maintained by the authority or trustee pursuant to a trust
 agreement. Funds and accounts held by the authority, or a
 trustee acting on behalf of the authority pursuant to a trust
 agreement related to the program, are separate dedicated funds
 and accounts under the administration and control of the
 authority and subject to section 16.31.
    4.  By October 1, 2018, and by October 1 of each year
 thereafter, the authority shall submit a report to the governor
 and the general assembly itemizing expenditures from the fund,
 if any, during the previous fiscal year.
    Sec. 9.  NEW SECTION.  16.145  Eligible entities ==== agreements
 required.
    1.  An eligible entity may apply to the authority for
 financial assistance under the program by submitting a plan
 that meets the following requirements:
    a.  The plan includes one or more projects that improve
 water quality in the local area or watershed. Projects shall
 use practices identified in the latest version of the document
 entitled "Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy" initially presented
 in November 2012 by the department of agriculture and land
 stewardship, the department of natural resources, and Iowa
 state university of science and technology. A drainage or
 levee district established under chapter 468 shall utilize the
 installation of edge=of=field infrastructure as described in
 section 466B.43.
    b.  The plan describes in detail the manner in which the
 projects will be financed and undertaken, including, as
 applicable, the sources of revenue directed to financing the
 improvements as well as the eligible entities that will be
 receiving the revenues and how such revenues will be spent on
 the projects.
    2.  The authority shall review and approve or deny
 applications for financial assistance. The provision of
 financial assistance under the program shall take into account,
 as applicable, the number of municipalities, landowners, public
 utilities, rural water districts, or rural water associations
 comprising an eligible entity and the eligible entity's
 financing capacity.  The authority shall score applications
 for financial assistance according to rules adopted pursuant
 to this part.  The authority shall only provide financial
 assistance to eligible entities that have sufficient financing
 capacity and that submit an appropriate plan designed to
 improve water quality.
    3.  An approved eligible entity shall enter into an agreement
 with the authority for the provision of financial assistance.
 The agreement shall include standard terms for the receipt
 of program moneys and any other terms the authority deems
 necessary or convenient for the efficient administration of the
 program.
    Sec. 10.  Section 423.3, Code 2017, is amended by adding the
 following new subsection:
    NEW SUBSECTION.  103.  a.  The sales price from the sale or
 furnishing by a water utility of a water service in the state
 to consumers or users.
    b.  For purposes of this subsection:
    (1)  "Water service" means the delivery of water by piped
 distribution system.
    (2)  "Water utility" means a public utility as defined in
 section 476.1 that furnishes water by piped distribution system
 to the public for compensation.
    Sec. 11.  NEW SECTION.  423G.1  Short title.
    This chapter may be cited as the "Water Service Tax Act".
    Sec. 12.  NEW SECTION.  423G.2  Definitions.
    1.  All words and phrases used in this chapter and defined in
 section 423.1 have the same meaning given them by section 423.1
 for purposes of this chapter.
    2.  As used in this chapter, "water service" and "water
 utility" mean the same as defined in section 423.3, subsection
 103.
    Sec. 13.  NEW SECTION.  423G.3  Water service tax.
    An excise tax at the rate of six percent is imposed on the
 sales price from the sale or furnishing by a water utility of a
 water service in the state to consumers or users.
    Sec. 14.  NEW SECTION.  423G.4  Exemptions.
    The sales price from transactions exempt from state sales
 tax under section 423.3, except section 423.3, subsection 103,
 is also exempt from the tax imposed by this chapter.
    Sec. 15.  NEW SECTION.  423G.5  Administration by director.
    1.  The director of revenue shall administer the water
 service tax as nearly as possible in conjunction with the
 administration of the state sales and use tax law, except that
 portion of the law that implements the streamlined sales and
 use tax agreement.  The director shall provide appropriate
 forms, or provide on the regular state tax forms, for reporting
 water service tax liability.
    2.  The director may require all persons who are engaged
 in the business of deriving any sales price or purchase
 price subject to tax under this chapter to register with
 the department. The director may also require a tax permit
 applicable only to this chapter for any retailer not
 collecting, or any user not paying, taxes under chapter 423.
    3.  Section 422.25, subsection 4, sections 422.30, 422.67,
 and 422.68, section 422.69, subsection 1, sections 422.70,
 422.71, 422.72, 422.74, and 422.75, section 423.14, subsection
 1, and sections 423.23, 423.24, 423.25, 423.31 through
 423.35, 423.37 through 423.42, and 423.47, consistent with the
 provisions of this chapter, shall apply with respect to the tax
 authorized under this chapter, in the same manner and with the
 same effect as if the excise taxes on the sale or furnishing of
 a water service were retail sales taxes within the meaning of
 those statutes. Notwithstanding this subsection, the director
 shall provide for quarterly filing of returns and for other
 than quarterly filing of returns both as prescribed in section
 423.31.  All taxes collected under this chapter by a retailer
 or any user are deemed to be held in trust for the state of
 Iowa.
    Sec. 16.  NEW SECTION.  423G.6  Deposit of revenues.
    1.  All moneys received and all refunds shall be deposited in
 or withdrawn from the general fund of the state.
    2.  Subsequent to the deposit in the general fund of the
 state, the department shall transfer the following amounts to
 the following funds:
    a.  For revenues collected on or after July 1, 2018, but
 before August 1, 2019, one=twelfth of the revenues to the
 water quality infrastructure fund created in section 8.57B,
 and one=twelfth of the revenues to the water quality financial
 assistance fund created in section 16.134A.
    b.  For revenues collected on or after August 1, 2019,
 but before August 1, 2020, one=sixth of the revenues to the
 water quality infrastructure fund created in section 8.57B,
 and one=sixth of the revenues to the water quality financial
 assistance fund created in section 16.134A.
    c.  For revenues collected on or after August 1, 2020,
 one=half of the revenues to the water quality financial
 assistance fund created in section 16.134A.
    Sec. 17.  NEW SECTION.  423G.7  Future repeal.
    This chapter is repealed upon the occurrence of one of the
 following, whichever is earlier:
    1.  The enactment date that the tax rate for the sales
 tax imposed upon the retail sales price of tangible personal
 property and the furnishing of enumerated services sold in this
 state in effect on July 1, 2016, is increased.
    2.  July 1, 2029.
    Sec. 18.  Section 455B.171, Code 2017, is amended by adding
 the following new subsections:
    NEW SUBSECTION.  10A.  "Iowa nutrient reduction strategy"
 means a water quality initiative developed and updated by the
 department of agriculture and land stewardship, the department
 of natural resources, and the college of agriculture and life
 sciences at Iowa state university of science and technology in
 order to assess and reduce nutrients in this state's watersheds
 that utilize a pragmatic, strategic, and coordinated approach
 with the goal of accomplishing reductions over time.
    NEW SUBSECTION.  15A.  "Nutrient" means total nitrogen and
 total phosphorus.
    Sec. 19.  Section 455B.171, subsection 19, Code 2017, is
 amended to read as follows:
    19.  "Point source" means any discernible, confined, and
 discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe,
 ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure,
 container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding
 operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which
 pollutants are or may be discharged.  "Point source" does not
 include agricultural storm water discharge and return flows
 from irrigated agriculture.
    Sec. 20.  Section 455B.177, Code 2017, is amended by adding
 the following new subsection:
    NEW SUBSECTION.  3.  The general assembly further finds
 and declares that it is in the interest of the people of Iowa
 to assess and reduce nutrients in surface waters over time by
 implementing the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy.  To evaluate
 the progress achieved over time toward the goals of the Iowa
 nutrient reduction strategy and the United States environmental
 protection agency gulf hypoxia action plan, the baseline
 condition shall be calculated for the time period from 1980 to
 1996.
    Sec. 21.  Section 466B.3, subsection 3, paragraph c, Code
 2017, is amended to read as follows:
    c.  Whether the funds, programs, and regulatory efforts
 coordinated by the council eventually result in a long=term
 improvement to the quality of surface water in Iowa.  To
 evaluate the progress achieved over time toward the goals of
 the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy, as defined in section
 455B.171, and the United States environmental protection agency
 gulf hypoxia action plan, the baseline condition shall be
 calculated for the time period from 1980 to 1996.
    Sec. 22.  Section 466B.42, Code 2017, is amended to read as
 follows:
    466B.42  Water quality initiative.
    The division shall establish a water quality initiative
 in order to assess and reduce nutrients in this state's
 watersheds, including subwatersheds, and regional watersheds,
 and for implementing its responsibilities under the Iowa
 nutrient reduction strategy as defined in section 455B.171.
 The division shall establish and administer projects to
 reduce nutrients in surface waters from nonpoint sources in
 a scientific, reasonable, and cost=effective manner. The
 division shall utilize a pragmatic, strategic, and coordinated
 approach with the goal of accomplishing reductions over time.
 To evaluate the progress achieved over time toward the goals
 of the Iowa nutrient reduction strategy and the United States
 environmental protection agency gulf hypoxia action plan, the
 baseline condition shall be calculated for the time period from
 1980 to 1996.
    Sec. 23.  NEW SECTION.  466B.43  Water quality agriculture
 infrastructure programs.
    1.  As part of the water quality initiative established
 pursuant to section 466B.42, the division shall administer
 water quality agriculture infrastructure programs created in
 this section.
    2.  The purpose of the programs is to support projects for
 the installation of infrastructure, including conservation
 structures, practices, or other measures that reduce
 contributing nutrient loads, associated sediment, or
 contaminants from sources to surface waters.  The programs
 shall be administered in a manner that is consistent with
 the latest version of the "Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy"
 initially presented in November 2012 by the department of
 agriculture and land stewardship, the department of natural
 resources, and Iowa state university of science and technology.
    3.  An edge=of=field infrastructure program is created.
 The program shall support projects located on agricultural
 land, which may include demonstration projects, that capture
 or filter nutrients entering into a surface water. The
 program's projects shall be limited to infrastructure designed
 and installed for use over multiple years, including but not
 limited to wetlands, bioreactor systems, saturated buffers,
 or land use changes.  The program shall be financed on a
 cost=share basis.
    4.  An in=field infrastructure program is created.  The
 program shall support projects located on agricultural land,
 which may include demonstration projects, that decrease erosion
 and precipitation=induced surface runoff, increase water
 infiltration rates, and increase soil sustainability.  The
 program's projects shall be limited to infrastructure designed
 and installed for use over multiple years, including but not
 limited to structures, terraces, and waterways located on
 cropland or pastureland, and including but not limited to soil
 conservation or erosion control structures or managed drainage
 systems.  The program shall be financed on a cost=share basis.
    5.  Any state moneys used to finance a project under a
 water quality agriculture infrastructure program shall be
 administered according to an agreement entered into by the
 division and the owner of the land where the infrastructure
 is to be installed.  The agreement shall include standard
 terms and conditions for the receipt of program moneys and
 any other terms and conditions the division deems necessary
 or convenient for the efficient administration of the project
 or program.  The division may support multiple installations
 of infrastructure on a single parcel of land.  The division
 may also combine programs if cost effective.  The division
 may annually use an amount of not more than four percent of
 the moneys used to support each program for administrative
 purposes.
    6.  By October 1, 2018, and each October 1, thereafter, the
 division shall submit a report to the governor and the general
 assembly itemizing expenditures, by hydrologic unit code 8
 watershed, under the programs during the previous fiscal year,
 if any.
    7.  Any information obtained by the division identifying
 a person holding a legal interest in agricultural land or
 specific agricultural land shall be a confidential record under
 section 22.7.
    Sec. 24.  NEW SECTION.  466B.44  Water quality urban
 infrastructure program.
    1.  As part of the water quality initiative established
 pursuant to section 466B.42, the division shall administer a
 water quality urban infrastructure program.
    2.  The purpose of the program is to support watershed
 projects and advance implementation of the latest version of
 the "Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy" initially presented
 in November 2012 by the department of agriculture and land
 stewardship, the department of natural resources, and Iowa
 state university of science and technology, which program
 support may include demonstration projects that decrease
 erosion, precipitation=induced surface runoff, and storm
 water discharges and that increase water infiltration rates.
 The program's projects shall be based on Iowa's storm water
 management manual published by the department of natural
 resources.
    3.  The program shall be financed on a cost=share basis or
 through cooperative agreements with watershed projects funded
 through section 455B.199 whose project activities fall outside
 the territorial boundaries of a city.
    4.  Any state moneys used to finance a project under a water
 quality urban infrastructure program shall be administered
 according to an agreement entered into by the division and the
 owner of the land where the infrastructure is to be installed.
 The agreement shall include standard terms and conditions
 for the receipt of program moneys and any other terms and
 conditions the division deems necessary or convenient for
 the efficient administration of the project or program.  The
 division may support multiple installations of infrastructure
 on a single parcel of land.  The division may annually use an
 amount of not more than four percent of the moneys used to
 support the program for administrative purposes.
    5.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this section
 to the contrary, beginning on July 1, 2018, the division may
 use any amount available to support the water quality urban
 infrastructure program to instead extend and support the
 three=year data collection of in=field agricultural practices
 project as enacted in 2015 Iowa Acts, ch. 132, {18.
    6.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section
 to the contrary, the division may use any amount available
 to support the water quality urban infrastructure program to
 develop and maintain an online resource displaying measurable
 indicators of desirable change in water quality within the
 state's watersheds.  These measurable indicators may include
 but are not limited to public and private funding inputs,
 involvement in water quality projects, and improvements, land
 use, practice adoption, calculated load reduction, and measured
 loads at existing monitoring stations.
    7.  By October 1, 2018, and by October 1 of each year
 thereafter, the division shall submit a report to the governor
 and the general assembly itemizing expenditures under the
 program, if any, during the previous fiscal year.
    8.  Any information obtained by the division identifying a
 person holding a legal interest in land or specific land shall
 be a confidential record under section 22.7.
    Sec. 25.  INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE ON SMALL CITIES AND CLEAN
 WATER STANDARDS.
    1.  The legislative council is requested to establish a study
 committee for the 2017 interim to identify and comprehensively
 review the financial and other challenges faced by small
 cities in complying with the various state and federal clean
 water standards, and to  consider options for addressing those
 challenges.
    2.  The interim committee's review shall include an
 evaluation of the future effectiveness of the wastewater
 and drinking water treatment financial assistance program
 created in this Act in section 16.134 and the water quality
 financing program created in sections 16.142 through 16.145,
 and may include evaluations of other existing or proposed
 state programs as desired.  The committee shall seek input
 and may request information or assistance from public and
 private stakeholders and experts, including utility management
 organizations, the Iowa association of business and industry,
 the department of natural resources, the Iowa finance
 authority, the department of agriculture and land stewardship,
 the economic development authority, the Iowa chamber alliance,
 the Iowa league of cities, and the Iowa state association of
 counties.
    3.  The interim committee shall submit its findings and
 recommendations to the general assembly for consideration
 during the 2018 legislative session.
    Sec. 26.  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.  It is the intent of the
 general assembly that the amendment in this Act to the
 definition of point source in section 455B.171, subsection
 19, is a conforming amendment consistent with current state
 and federal law, and that the amendment does not change the
 application of current law but instead reflects current law
 both before and after the enactment of this Act.
    Sec. 27.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  The following provision or
 provisions of this Act take effect July 1, 2018:
    1.  The section of this Act enacting section 423.3,
 subsection 103.
    2.  The sections of this Act enacting sections 423G.1,
 423G.2, 423G.3, 423G.4, 423G.5, 423G.6, and 423G.7.


                                                                                            JACK WHITVER


                                                                                            LINDA UPMEYER


                                                                                            W. CHARLES SMITH


                                                                                            KIM REYNOLDS

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