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HSB 715

A bill for an act relating to camping, including camper and cabin limits at youth camps and emergency safety requirements at campgrounds.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Sets floodplain-based camper/cabin limits for youth camps and requires standalone emergency alarms and posted evacuations for campgrounds.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2626.
#camping #emergencymanagement #juveniles #safety
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Bill Summary · HSB 715

Summary of Bill: HSB 715 (Session 2025-2026, Iowa)

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The bill focuses on safety and management related to camping facilities in Iowa.
  • It establishes definitions for key terms (cabins, campers, campgrounds, youth camps, floodplains, etc.) and directs the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to regulate camping activities, particularly with regard to floodplain considerations for youth camps.
  • It adds mandatory emergency safety requirements for campgrounds.

2) Key Provisions

A. Definitions (New Section 466D.1)

  • Cabin: A structure providing temporary sleeping quarters for campers.
  • Camper: A minor attending a youth camp on a day care or boarding basis.
  • Campground: A commercial property designed to provide cabins for transient overnight guest use or RV park services.
  • Department: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
  • Floodplain: As defined in section 455B.261.
  • Recreational Vehicle Park: A commercial property designed for RV transient guest use with fees for site service connections paid daily, weekly, or monthly.
  • Youth Camp: A facility meeting criteria including characteristics of day/ resident/ travel camps, use for recreational, athletic, religious, or educational activities, and housing at least five minors for at least four days.

B. Youth Camps — Floodplain Limits (New Section 466D.2)

  • The DNR must adopt rules establishing:
    1. The maximum number of campers allowed at a youth camp located in a floodplain at any one time.
    2. The maximum number of cabins allowed on the premises of a youth camp.
  • These limits are to be based on flood risk, aiming to manage safety and resource concerns in flood-prone areas.

C. Campgrounds — Emergency Systems (New Section 466D.3)

  • Campgrounds must have:
    1. An emergency alarm system installed and operating within the campground that can function without an internet connection.
    2. Emergency evacuation directions posted in all structures within the campground.

D. Delegation of Authority (New Section 466D.4)

  • The DNR is granted the authority reasonably necessary to implement and enforce these provisions.

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Youth Camps: Subject to new floodplain-based limits on the number of campers and cabins.
  • Campgrounds (including RV parks and properties with cabins): Must install independent emergency alarm systems capable of operating without internet and must post evacuation directions in all structures.
  • Users/Visitors: Minor campers at youth camps and guests at affected campgrounds may experience changes in capacity limits and enhanced safety requirements.
  • Operators/Owners: Required to comply with new capacity rules (for floodplain sites) and safety measures (alarm systems and posted evacuations).

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill directs the DNR to adopt implementing rules and standards for:
    • Floodplain-based capacity limits for youth camps.
    • The maximum number of cabins at youth camps.
    • Emergency alarm systems and evacuation postings for campgrounds.
  • The action history indicates introduction and committee work in 2026, with committee approval and passage recommendations leading to HF 2626 (renumbered):
    • Subcommittee and committee votes occurred in February 2026.
    • Committee report approving the bill with a recommendation for passage (renumbered as HF 2626).

5) Practical Implications

  • Youth camps in floodplains could see enforced caps on camper counts and cabin counts, potentially affecting enrollment and facility planning.
  • Campgrounds must ensure independent emergency alerting capability and clear evacuation guidance, improving safety during outages or non-internet scenarios.
  • Overall, the bill emphasizes flood-risk management and robust emergency communication at camping facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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