Iowa Senate Subcommittee Advances Eminent Domain Ban with Planned Changes

Senators aim to amend the House bill with their own language to balance property rights and infrastructure development

Jan. 27, 2026 at 4:07pm

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An Iowa House bill banning the use of eminent domain for carbon sequestration pipelines advanced from a Senate subcommittee on Tuesday, but senators intend to amend the bill with their own language. Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh said he plans to incorporate language from his own property rights bill, aiming to find a balance between honoring property rights and allowing for critical infrastructure development in the state.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict over property rights and carbon sequestration pipelines in Iowa has led to the introduction of multiple bills in the legislature. This subcommittee advancement sets the stage for a potential compromise, as senators seek to address the concerns of both landowners opposed to eminent domain and industries supportive of pipeline projects.

The details

The Senate subcommittee heard from a range of stakeholders, including affected landowners, labor representatives, and industry groups. Landowners argued the eminent domain ban is necessary to protect private property rights, while labor groups and industry representatives advocated for allowing the carbon sequestration pipeline project to move forward. Senators expressed a desire to find a solution that balances these competing interests.

  • The Iowa House passed a similar eminent domain ban bill last year, but it did not advance in the Senate.
  • The Senate passed a different House bill restricting the use of eminent domain for carbon sequestration pipelines, but it was vetoed by Governor Kim Reynolds.

The players

Mike Klimesh

Senate Majority Leader, R-Spillville, who plans to amend the House bill with language from his own property rights bill.

Janet Petersen

Democratic Senator from Des Moines, who expressed surprise at Klimesh's plans to amend the bill.

Peg Rasmussen

A Montgomery County affected landowner who argued the bill protects private property rights.

Richie Schmidt

President of Iowa Laborers Local 177, who spoke against the eminent domain ban and said the pipeline project would employ 2,000 construction workers.

Colin Gorton

Representing the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, who suggested amending Iowa's permitting process to allow operators to talk to landowners before proposing a route.

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What they’re saying

“The Senate's approach is to find a way that we can both honor property rights for those folks that want to say no and for those folks that want to say yes, while continuing to build linear infrastructure in the state.”

— Mike Klimesh, Senate Majority Leader

“That was the biggest bait and switch I've ever seen.”

— Janet Petersen, Senator

“Nothing in this bill prevents or prohibits construction of a carbon capture pipeline. What is in this bill, is private property rights protection from the heavy hand of government.”

— Peg Rasmussen, Affected Landowner

“This is the same bill that's being introduced year after year after year. It doesn't go anywhere. Workers are suffering.”

— Richie Schmidt, President, Iowa Laborers Local 177

“It's really designed to create confrontation, and that's not something that we support.”

— Colin Gorton, Representing Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

What’s next

The amended bill will be considered by the full Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday, and a subcommittee hearing on Senator Klimesh's own property rights bill, Senate File 2067, is also planned.

The takeaway

The ongoing debate over eminent domain and carbon sequestration pipelines in Iowa highlights the need to balance the protection of private property rights with the development of critical infrastructure. The Senate's proposed amendments aim to find a compromise, but the outcome remains uncertain as the legislative process continues.