Bill
Bill > HF378
summary
Introduced
02/13/2025
02/13/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to deer depredation. Under current law, the wild animal depredation unit acts as the liaison to the department of natural resources (DNR) for the producers in the state who suffer crop, horticultural product, tree, or nursery damage. The bill changes the language to apply to producers in the state who suffer economic loss to agriculture, horticulture, or silviculture operations. Under current law, DNR is directed to issue depredation permits to a landowner who incurs crop, horticultural product, tree, or nursery damage of $1,000 or more due to wild animals. The bill directs DNR to issue both depredation permits and deer shooting permits to a landowner or a tenant who suffers an economic loss of $1,000 or more to agriculture, horticulture, or silviculture operations due to wild animals. The bill allows conservation officers to issue permits pursuant to the bill. The bill creates a designated deer depredation season from January 11 through January 31. A person possessing a deer depredation license and tag or deer shooting permit may use a rifle with an approved cartridge, a shotgun, a muzzleloader, a handgun, a crossbow, or a bow during the designated season. The bill allows any deer taken with a depredation license or shooting permit to be disposed of by composting or wastage if the deer was taken by the person issued the license or permit.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Iowa's laws regarding deer depredation by expanding the scope and procedures for addressing economic losses caused by wild animals. The bill broadens the definition of damage from specific crops and trees to a more comprehensive "economic loss to agriculture, horticulture, or silviculture operations" and allows both landowners and tenants to obtain depredation and deer shooting permits if they suffer $1,000 or more in damages. The bill establishes a designated deer depredation season from January 11 through January 31, during which individuals with a valid depredation license or deer shooting permit can use various weapons including rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, crossbows, and bows. Conservation officers are now authorized to issue these permits, and the bill uniquely allows for deer taken under these permits to be disposed of through composting or wastage, which was not previously permitted. These changes aim to provide more flexible and comprehensive tools for farmers and landowners to manage wild deer populations that cause significant economic damage to their operations.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Natural Resources (House)
Last Action
Referred to Natural Resources. H.J. 895. (on 04/03/2025)
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=HF378 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF378.html |
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