IA HSB693

Defendants in Iowa would not be liable in civil or criminal actions for damages or injury from alleged climate effects caused wholly or partly by greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gases covered include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, nitrogen trifluoride, sulfur hexafluoride, and perfluorocarbons from agricultural sources, renewable fuel sources, or natural sources.

Liability protection can be overcome only if a district court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant violated an enforceable statutory emission limitation or an express term of an operating, air, or other permit issued by a regulatory authority.

Regulatory authorities include the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and federal agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The bill explicitly states it does not create any new right to bring climate-related civil or criminal actions or judicial remedies.