SEVENTH WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
This week’s legislative session was dominated by debates in the House and Senate over the removal of gender identity language from the Iowa Civil Rights Code.
Protests took place throughout the week, peaking on Thursday with over 2,500 people at the Capitol opposing the votes in both chambers. As a result, several subcommittee and committee meetings
were canceled and rescheduled for early next week.
Additionally, next week marks funnel week, which will add to an already packed schedule.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
This week, the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee approved several bills that ISC has been working on this legislative session: elimination of celebrity deer tags, define party hunting, and the addition of the right to hunt, fish, and trap into the Iowa Constitution. These bills are now funnel-proof.
The House Natural Resources Committee has not yet introduced our bill to eliminate celebrity deer tags. While the bill is safe in the Senate, we would like to see it approved there as well to
increase the chances of its passage.
Two bills have been introduced that provide outfitters with 500 tags and eliminate conservation deer tags. See below for talking points to use when discussing these issues with your legislators.
BILL TRACKER
**New information highlighted in yellow**
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Next week is funnel week and we need your voices talking to legislators about two pieces of legislation:
Constitutional Right to Hunt, Fish, Trap
Both the House and Senate Natural Resources Committees have approved their versions of this bill. The next step is for it to be debated on the floor. Below are key talking points, along with the contacts you need to reach out to get this bill brought to a vote.
1. Preserving Traditions and Heritage: Hunting, fishing, and trapping are not just recreational activities in Iowa—they are deeply rooted in the state’s history and culture. By adding these rights to the state constitution, Iowa ensures that future generations will have the same opportunities to engage in these activities that have been essential to the state’s identity and way of life.
2. Protecting Natural Resources and Conservation: Ensuring the constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap reinforces the importance of conservation efforts in Iowa. These practices contribute to the sustainable management of wildlife populations and natural habitats. With this constitutional protection, we help guarantee that Iowa’s outdoor resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of all Iowans.
3. Safeguarding Against Future Restrictions: Adding the right to hunt, fish, and trap to Iowa’s constitution provides a critical safeguard against potential future restrictions on these practices. It protects citizens’ ability to enjoy these freedoms without undue interference, ensuring that hunting, fishing, and trapping remain accessible for generations to come.
Call to Action: To make this a reality, contact Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver and House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl today. Urge them to bring this important bill to a floor vote so that Iowa can continue to protect these fundamental rights for its citizens.
Nonresident Outfitter Deer Tags
HSB 251, which offers nonresidents 500 buck tags simply for booking a reservation with an outfitter in Iowa, poses several negative impacts on the resident hunting access, fairness of the state’s hunting system, and wildlife management.
1. Negative Impact on Resident Hunters: By allocating these special tags to nonresidents, Iowa risks diminishing hunting opportunities for its own residents. The influx of nonresident hunters with guaranteed tags will crowd out local hunters, making it more difficult for them to secure tags and participate in the hunting season. Outfitters will pay high prices to lease land which makes it harder for resident hunters to find places to hunt. Residents pay taxes, contribute to conservation efforts, and deserve to have more access to hunting opportunities in their own state.
2. Unfair Advantage for Nonresidents: HSB 251 creates an unfair advantage for nonresidents by providing them with 500 buck tags simply for booking a reservation with an outfitter in Iowa. This undermines the fairness of Iowa’s nonresident hunting system, where nonresidents wait for five to six years to get a tag. This will only further delay people getting tags for a few that can afford to pay the high price for these tags.
3. Potential for Overharvest and Sustainability Issues: HSB 251 will lead to the overharvesting of Iowa’s wildlife, as nonresident hunters may have less of a vested interest in the long-term health and sustainability of the state’s deer population. Outfitters will feel the need for their clients to shoot any buck, even a young buck which will impact the herd and age structure. According to the Iowa DNR, 95% of deer shot with nonresident tags are bucks! With Iowa’s deer herd half of what it was twenty years ago, Iowa cannot sustain more pressure.
Call to Action: Contact the legislators that are on the subcommittee this weekend and urge them to oppose HSB 251. The subcommittee is scheduled for Monday, March 3 at 12PM. This bill creates an imbalance in the system and puts the interests of nonresidents above those of Iowa’s dedicated hunters. Protect resident hunters and ensure responsible management of our state’s wildlife.
Subcommittee members:
Rep. Taylor Collins
Rep. Jason Gearhart
Rep. J.D. Scholten
Check out this link to see where/when your legislators are hosting town hall meetings.
House Natural Resources Committee
Senate Natural Resources Committee
PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME!
Phil Jeneary
Proud Chapter of
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