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Bill > SF260
IA SF260
A bill for an act relating to wildlife, including the treatment of beaver dams, identification for traps, snares, and tree stands, and maximum fur dealer license fees, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly SSB 1093; See SF 654.)
summary
Introduced
02/11/2025
02/11/2025
In Committee
02/17/2025
02/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to wildlife, including the treatment of beaver dams, identification for traps, snares, and tree stands, and maximum fur dealer license fees. The bill requires that a stand placed on public land for hunting deer be affixed with and exhibit a metal plate that plainly shows the department-issued identification number of the owner of the stand. An owner who does not properly identify a tree stand placed on public land belonging to the owner is subject to a scheduled fine of $30. The bill provides that an owner of a tree stand placed on public land shall not be held liable for damage to personal property or an injury resulting from another person’s use of the tree stand. The natural resource commission shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of the bill relating to tree stands. Under current law, a person is generally prohibited from disturbing, in any manner, any den, lodge, or house of a fur-bearing animal or beaver dam except with written permission of an officer appointed by the director. The bill allows a property owner, the property owner’s agent, or a drainage district to breach or alter a beaver dam to protect the person’s property. Under current law, all traps and snares used for the taking of fur-bearing animals require a metal tag attached plainly labeled with the user’s name and address. The bill allows the user the option of labeling the trap or snare with the user’s department-issued identification number instead of the user’s name and address. The bill creates a maximum fur dealer license fee of $50, regardless of resident status. Under current administrative rules, a resident fur dealer license costs $264 annually and a nonresident fur dealer license costs $586.50 annually or $292.50 for one day and one location. Current law allows residents from another state to purchase a fur dealer license for the set fee unless that state has reciprocity with Iowa, in which case the nonresident shall pay the reciprocity fee amount that is less than the nonresident license fee but more than the Iowa resident license fee.
AI Summary
This bill addresses several wildlife-related regulations in Iowa, focusing on tree stands, beaver dams, trapping identification, and fur dealer license fees. For tree stands used for hunting deer on public land, the bill now requires owners to affix a metal plate with their department-issued identification number, with a $30 fine for non-compliance. The bill provides legal protection for tree stand owners by stipulating they are not liable for damage or injury caused by others using their stand. Regarding beaver dams, the bill now allows property owners, their agents, or drainage districts to breach or alter beaver dams to protect their property, which was previously prohibited without written permission. For trapping, the bill gives users the option to label traps and snares with either their name and address or their department-issued identification number. Additionally, the bill establishes a maximum fur dealer license fee of $50 annually for both residents and non-residents, which is significantly lower than current administrative rules that charge up to $264 for residents and $586.50 for non-residents. The natural resource commission is tasked with creating rules to implement these new provisions, particularly those related to tree stands.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Natural Resources And Environment (S)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 654. S.J. 956. (on 05/09/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF260 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF260.html |
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