As the state legislative session begins this week, one bill some legislators predict early action on is water quality.

The Iowa House and Senate each passed competing water quality bills during the 2017 session that failed to win final approval. State Representative Jarad Klein (R) predicts what will happen this session, “I anticipate early on there will be a water quality bill that will be passed and sent down to the governor. I would anticipate that’ll be an early-on sort of thing in session.”

State Senator Rich Taylor (D) says he would like to pass a water quality bill, “We will probably kick that can down the road again this year, or I shouldn’t say we, I don’t think the Republicans are interested in doing anything serious about water quality.”

The two bills last year sought to fund projects that serve the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy adopted in 2013, its goal to reach 45% nutrient reduction by 2030. Many minority Democrats opposed majority Republicans’ plans last session to shift money to pay for water quality initiatives, saying new tax revenue is needed for water quality, instead of cutting in funds for other state programs.