ELEVENTH WEEK OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The week following the second funnel deadline is typically slower at the Capitol. Most policy committees have completed their work for the year, leaving only the Appropriations and Ways & Means
committees still meeting.
Lawmakers held floor debate on Monday and Tuesday, and on Wednesday hosted Pioneer Lawmaker Day, which honors current and former legislators, as well as lobbyists who have served in the legislature for 20 or more years.
This slower pace is expected to continue in the coming weeks as legislators work behind the scenes to reach agreements on the state budget and remaining policy bills.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on April 21, though it is highly unlikely the legislature will meet that deadline.
Several ISC-tracked bills remain active, including one that will require immediate outreach from our members. HF 2657 would allow nonresidents who file income taxes in Iowa to claim residency status to obtain a buck tag. The bill’s sponsor has shared a potential amendment with ISC, which is highlighted below.
We urge you to contact your state representative and ask them to vote NO on this proposal. In the tax year 2023, nearly 22,000 people claimed the nonresident/part time tax credits. Legislators need to hear your voice in opposition to this bill.
BILL TRACKER
** New Information highlighted in yellow**
**Bills ISC supports are in green**
**Bills ISC opposes are in red**
**Bills ISC is monitoring are in blue**
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Over the past few weeks, we’ve asked you to contact your state representatives to oppose HF 2657. This bill would allow nonresidents who file an Iowa income tax return to claim residency status for the purpose of obtaining a hunting or fishing license.
At its core, the bill is driven by a single issue: a nonresident landowner who pays Iowa income taxes but is unable to receive a buck tag every year. HF 2657 is now in the House Ways & Means Committee, and the bill sponsor has shared a proposed amendment with ISC that would significantly expand its impact.
The amendment would:
• Reserve 3,000 of the 6,000 available nonresident buck tags for individuals who either filed an Iowa income tax return in the previous year OR
• Own 160 or more acres of land.
This represents a major overhaul of Iowa’s nonresident deer hunting system.
Such a change would favor those with the financial means to purchase land or structure income to qualify, while average nonresident hunters could face wait times of 10–15 years for a buck tag. It could also accelerate the purchase of Iowa land by out-of-state buyers for hunting purposes, potentially pricing out Iowa farmers and shutting off access for resident hunters.
ISC members—now is the time to act. While subcommittee members have been assigned, a hearing has not yet been scheduled. Please reach out to the subcommittee members listed below and respectfully urge them to vote NO on HF 2657.
Be firm in your message: this proposal would undermine the system that has made Iowa’s whitetail deer hunting among the best in the country. Our current regulations work. This bill risks upending them to address the concerns of a single nonresident, at the expense of Iowa hunters and landowners.
Subcommittee Members:
Rep. Derek Wulf: derek.wulf@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Chad Behn: chad.behn@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Larry McBurney: larry.mcburney@legis.iowa.gov
PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME!
Phil Jeneary
