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House approves liability-limiting bill for farmers over greenhouse-gas claims
Summary
The House passed House File 2527, which limits civil and criminal liability for alleged climate-related harms tied to greenhouse-gas emissions for farmers, ranchers and related agribusinesses; an amendment to preserve nuisance claims failed while a narrower amendment to include petroleum-source gases was adopted.
Representative Wolf opened debate on House File 2527, saying the measure "provides liability protection for farmers and ranchers from frivolous lawsuits of perceived greenhouse gas emissions like methane, carbon dioxide, and several other gases." He moved an amendment (H8031) to add petroleum-source gases such as propane; the chamber adopted that amendment.
Representative Scholten offered Amendment H8052 to clarify that the bill should not affect nuisance claims, arguing that without the change "we risk creating a shield so broad that a neighbor suffering real tangible harm ... could find themselves unable to seek relief in Iowa court." Scholten said the amendment "keeps Iowa's commitment to property rights whole." Representative Wolf urged members to resist that amendment, saying the bill was not intended to protect bad actors. The House defeated H8052 and then passed the underlying bill in a roll-call vote where 66 voted aye, 24 no and 10 were absent; the chair declared the bill passed and the title agreed to.
Representative Serena Voss urged a no vote during discussion, warning the proposal could expand immunity for bad actors and put property-rights plaintiffs at risk. The debate centered on balancing protections for agricultural producers against preserving traditional nuisance and property-law remedies for neighbors.
