THIRD WEEK OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The third week of session was another short but busy week. President Trump visited Des Moines on Tuesday, and many legislators attended the rally. Work continued on property tax and carbon pipeline legislation, which remain the two main points of contention between the chambers.
The legislature will reconvene next Tuesday, as precinct caucuses will be held statewide on Monday evening. We are now three weeks away from the first funnel deadline, and work is expected to ramp up quickly as bills move toward that key milestone.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Legislation related to deer management and other natural resources has been limited so far this session. However, there are indications that a subcommittee will soon be scheduled for HF 2038. This bill would expand the use of depredation tags and allow for the composting of deer. More information on the steps you can take to oppose it can be found later in this newsletter.
One positive development was the introduction of legislation to establish a buffer strip program. This proposal aims to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and support conservation efforts across the state. The bill aims to give $5M to the program. This is a great first step toward sustainable land and wildlife management.
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 would expand eligibility for deer depredation tags and allow deer taken using a depredation tag or shooting permit to be composted. A subcommittee is rumored to be coming soon.
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. The data shows the current program is working, and there is no demonstrated need for change.
2. Record-low complaints in 2025:
2025 saw the lowest number of new deer depredation complaints in the program’s history.
3. Fewer program enrollees:
Enrollment declined from 670 participants in 2024 to 568 in 2025.
4. 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%).
Ethical considerations:
As hunters and farmers, composting deer is not an ethical use of harvested animals. Instead, deer should be utilized through programs like HUSH or other venison donation and feeding programs, rather than being discarded.
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
