TENTH WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Happy Spring! This week, both chambers focused primarily on floor debate, although some subcommittees and committees did meet in preparation for the second funnel deadline, which is just two weeks away.
Many of our bills are still waiting for floor debate, and both committee chairs and floor managers are urging their leadership to bring these bills to the floor and move them to the other chamber.
On Thursday, the “Celebrate Iowa Outdoors” event took place, filling the entire Capitol rotunda with outdoor advocates. ISC was a sponsor and looks forward to participating again next year!
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
ISC priority legislation is still awaiting debate on both the House and Senate floors. The constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap is currently stalled due to language issues. The first of several forest reserve bills had a subcommittee meeting this week, and we can expect multiple discussions and variations of this bill. Legislators are still working to determine which version is the best approach to address the issue.
On a positive note, bills regarding ATVs on public lands and open season on geese seem to be unlikely to move forward this session.
We encourage everyone to keep reaching out to your legislators and urging them to push leadership to bring our bills to the floor for debate. Your voice truly makes a difference!
BILL TRACKER
Bills Still Alive
**New information highlighted in yellow**
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
We urge all our members to take an active role in the legislative process by attending town forums or reaching out to your legislators through email, phone, or text. It’s crucial that they hear directly from you about the importance of pushing our favorable bills forward. The following bills need your support to advance through the process. We are two weeks away from the second funnel and these bills need to pass a chamber and a committee in the opposite chamber to remain alive:
• Securing a constitutional right to hunt and fish (House and Senate)
• Eliminating the celebrity deer tag (Senate)
• Increasing acre size for landowner tenant tags (which has been amended to grandfather in current LOT tag recipients and require land sold after the January 2027 antlerless season to be at least 20 acres to qualify for tags – House and Senate)
Another issue that is emerging is the forest reserve. There are several versions of this bill, and we will be discussing with legislators which one will move forward. It’s important to advocate for the continuation of the program and highlight its value. While most legislators recognize the program’s purpose, some believe that people aren’t fulfilling their obligations and are receiving a tax break as a result. We encourage you to not only support the program’s continuation but also share the positive impacts you’ve seen from the forest reserve program.
Your voice truly makes a difference. Be sure to ask your legislators to talk to leadership about getting these important bills passed and sent to the other chamber for further consideration. If you do hear back from your legislators on these issues, please let me know. Thank you for your continued advocacy and for helping to ensure that our priorities move forward at the Statehouse!
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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