Hunter
03/26/26
A bill that would mostly prevent lawsuits claiming that greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural and other operations contributed to climate change passed in the Iowa Senate this week.
The Gazette reports the bill limits civil and criminal liability for defendants accused of causing “any alleged actual or potential effect on climate” stemming “wholly or partly” from greenhouse gas emissions. Under the legislation, courts would be barred from awarding damages or other remedies in most climate-related cases unless plaintiffs can meet a high evidentiary standard and prove a direct violation of existing emissions laws or permits.
The legislation, which was approved mostly along party lines, is heading to Governor Kim Reynolds for her signature.