FOURTH WEEK OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The fourth week of session was short but extremely busy. Between the House and Senate, there were more than 150 subcommittee meetings, in addition to regular policy and budget committee meetings. Work is ramping up as the first funnel deadline approaches, now just two weeks away.
The legislature has two funnel deadlines. These self-imposed deadlines are used to determine which bills remain active. To meet the first funnel deadline, a bill must pass out of its committee of origin (for example, a House bill must advance out of a House committee, same with Senate bills). Appropriations and tax bills are exempt from the funnel deadlines.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Conservation legislation gained momentum this week as several subcommittees met, with more scheduled next week. The House Natural Resources Committee passed two bills: one allowing approved online courses to satisfy hunter safety requirements, and another setting lifetime fur harvesting tags at $5.
A House subcommittee voted not to advance legislation that would have created a statewide buffer strip program. While this was frustrating— especially since no group formally opposed the
bill—the Department of Agriculture is moving forward with its buffer strip pilot project.
Next week is expected to be busy, with subcommittees planned on bills to give tenants depredation tags and shooting permits, and the use of a drone to track wounded deer.
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
Please contact your state representatives—especially those serving on the House Natural Resources Committee—to oppose HF 2038. This bill expands eligibility for deer depredation tags and shooting permits to tenants and allow deer taken using a depredation tag or shooting permit to be composted. A subcommittee is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10th at 12:30.
Talking points to consider:
1. Is there a problem with the current depredation program?
According to the DNR, there were fewer than five deer depredation complaints statewide across 96 counties, including zero complaints in 52 counties (2025 had lowest number of new complaints in history). The data shows the current program is working, and there is no need for change.
2. Landowner Rights:
Tenants receiving depredation tags and shooting permits without landowner consent undermines property rights. Tenants should be able to receive these permits but with landowner consent.
3. Tag utilization trends:
While tag utilization was lower than in 2024, the total number of depredation tags available in 2025 (9,737) was still higher than the 10-year average (7,612). Utilization rates in 2025 (54%) were also higher than the 10-year average (51.3%).
4. Ethical considerations:
As hunters and farmers, composting deer is not an ethical use of harvested animals. Instead, deer should be donated through programs like HUSH or the Iowa Deer Exchange, rather than being composted.
House Natural Resources Committee
Please contact your senators on the Natural Resources & Environment Committee and urge them to advance SF 424 out of committee. This bill eliminates the celebrity deer tag.
SF 424 passed unanimously through committee last year and again passed unanimously through subcommittee this year. The bill has strong bipartisan support, and it is time to move it forward.
Passing SF 424 recognizes and supports the conservation groups in Iowa that are doing the real conservation work in our state.
Senate Natural Resources Committee
DNR Townhalls on 2025 Hunting Season
The DNR is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics.
Meeting dates, times, and locations:
• Waverly, March 2, 6 p.m., Waverly Public Library, 1500 W. Bremer Avenue
• Bloomfield, March 3, 6 p.m., Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Hwy. 63
• Boone, March 3, 6 p.m., Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255th Street
• Burlington, March 3, 6 p.m., Burlington Public Library, 210 Court St.
• Chariton, March 3, 6 p.m., Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14
• Creston, March 3, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Building multi-purpose room (124), 1201 West Townline Street
• Decorah, March 3, 7 p.m., Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College, 700 College Drive, next to the Prues Library
• Des Moines, March 3, 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton, 4343 George Flagg Parkway
• Maquoketa, March 3, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63rd Street
• Spencer, March 3, 6:30 p.m., Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 Grand Ave. Suite B1, Entrance #1-West side of the North Mall
• Iowa City, March 4, 5:30 p.m., Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy 218 South
• Charles City, March 4, 6:30 p.m., Public Library Zastrow Room, 910 Clark Street
• Okoboji, March 4, 6 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road
• Perry, March 4, 6 p.m., Dallas County Conservation Board, Forest Park Museum administration building, 14581 K Avenue
• Algona, March 5, 7 p.m., Tietz Entrepreneurial Center at the Algona campus of Iowa Lakes Community College, 2111 Hwy 169 North
• Council Bluffs, March 5, 5:30 p.m., Bass Pro Shops, 2901 Bass Pro Drive
• Hinton, March 5, 5 p.m., Dennis L. Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning, Hillview Recreation Area, 25601 C60
• Lake View, March 5, 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 North Blossom Street
• Toledo, March 5, 5:30 p.m., Tama County Nature Center at Otter Creek Lake Park, 2283 Park Road
• Ventura, March 5, 6 p.m., Clear Lake Wildlife Unit Office, 15326 Balsam Ave.
PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME!
Phil Jeneary
