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House approves radon-mitigation requirements for new homes, 79-3
Summary
The Iowa House concurred with a Senate amendment and passed House File 2297, directing radon mitigation in new residential construction. Sponsors and supporters called the measure a preventive, bipartisan effort to reduce lung cancer risk.
The Iowa House voted to concur with Senate Amendment H8431 and passed House File 2297 on radon mitigation for new residential construction.
Representative Hans Wills, speaking for the bill, said the measure would set a statewide construction standard: “This amendment is on House File 2297, which is our radon bill for new home buildings,” and argued the code should supersede local rules so the state can “do what’s right for Iowans.” He noted the health stakes: “We know that radon is the number 2 leading cause of cancer, lung cancer.”
Representative Faith urged support, calling the bill a meaningful anti-cancer policy step and urging that it be sent to the governor’s desk. The chair moved concurrence with the Senate amendment and read the bill for final passage. The clerk opened the voting machine; the final tally was 79 yeas, 3 nays and 18 absent. The chair declared the bill to have received the constitutional majority and the title was agreed to.
The measure requires built-in radon mitigation measures for new residential construction (text and technical specifications appear in the bill language). Supporters described the change as preventive public-health policy; opponents recorded in the roll call numbered three and were not quoted at length during floor discussion.
Next steps: the House instructed the clerk to message House File 2297 to the Senate and the bill will be enrolled for the governor’s consideration.
