ElkHunter
Life Member
WEEK FOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Please read HF 2232 carefully. If you feel inclined to send an email please be polite and respectful.
Bills are starting to be pushed through subcommittees and committees in preparation for next weeks first funnel.
SSB 3198, SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SPENDING GUIDELINES. Includes provisions to implement the collection and spending of any sales tax increase for natural resources and recreation, should the voters approve the constitutional amendment in November and in the future a sales tax increase. The bill is to be debated in the SNRC on Tuesday. The SNRC will go into a “subcommittee of the whole” meaning all members of the SNRC will discuss the bill as a subcommittee. Upon passage by the subcommittee, the committee will reform and vote of the bill.
BAITING. Contained in HSB 631 & SSB 3119 is language prohibiting wildlife baiting with numerous exemptions. Both the HNRC & SNRC will consider the bills next week. Prohibiting baiting is of concern to several groups including the Cattlemen’s Assoc & NRA. The HNR subcom met Thursday and tried to alleviate concerns. One item of that will be included is a one-year moratorium on strict enforcement (no tickets). The subcommittee stressed that this first year will be for education. The fear of the DNR & the State Vet is that by congregating wildlife to a baiting situation could result in the spread of disease – chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis, and avian influenza are of most concern. If the diseases transmitted either to domestic livestock or wildlife, the economic damage will be significant. Baiting would include feeding waterfowl at lakes, blocks to attract wildlife to trail cams, etc. There are numerous exemptions. The first year will target education efforts.
DNR PEACE OFFICERS. Governor Culvers Executive Order 20 contained a vague reference regarding sharing or contracting with other entities for law enforcement. Without knowledge of the DNR, the Legislative Service Agency sent correspondence to county sheriffs seeking interest in contracting with the DNR for law enforcement. At this time, the DNR is not seeking to actively pursue law enforcement contracts for State Parks.
NEXT WEEK IS THE FIRST FUNNEL WEEK. Most bills (exceptions include Appropriations, Ways & Means, plus a few others) must be out of committee in the originating chamber. Next week will see the priority bills debated in and move out of committee.
NATURAL RESOURCES, OUTDOOR REC, …
HF 2232, DEER DEPREDATION & FREE LANDOWNER DEER & TURKEY LICENSES FOR NONRESIDENT LANDOWNERS. Makes nonresident landowners eligible for deer and other wild animal depredation permits. Plus allows nonresidents to qualify for a free landowner deer & turkey tag. HNRC. Sub committee members Rep. Lykam, May and Whitead.
HF 2142, STATE PARK FEES. Allows the Nat Resources Comm to set and collect a $2 daily 04 $10 annual fee for parking a vehicle in a state park. Allows a person cited for parking without a sticker to buy an annual permit within 20 days of the violation. Repeals the fees on July 2015. HNR-Beard, May, Thede.
HF 2200, GUNS IN VEHICLE. Prohibits a person carrying a gun in a vehicle unless the gun is taken down or in a secure case and unloaded (magazines may be attached but again unloaded), or as otherwise permitted by law. Passed HNRC & H. Goes to the S.
HF 2208, NONRESIDENT SHORT-TERM HUNTING LICENSE. Establishes a one-day non-resident license for $20 and a three-day license for $50. Requires the person to pay one-half of the wildlife habitat fee. HNRC.
HF 2210, RIGHT-OF-WAY MOWING RESTRICTION. Restricts mowing in medians and right-of-ways until July 15th. Makes exceptions for areas within 200 years of a house, 1 mile of a city, to promote native grass or deal with noxious weeds, for visibility or safety and at rest areas, weigh stations and parks. Passed the subcom. Goes to the full HNRC.
HF 2238, NONRESIDENT YOUTH DEER LICENSES. Requires the NRC to issue an any-sex deer license to a non-resident under 18 that hunts with a close relative of the minor who is an Iowa resident. The minor must be qualified to hunt with hunter safety and the resident will accompany the minor. Requires the purchase of a hunting license, and the wildlife habitat and deer management fees.HNRC.
HF 2239, PHEASANT SHOOTING HOURS. Requires the NRC to establish shooting hours for pheasant and quail an earlier than usual when Daylight Savings Time is in effect. HNRC. The DNR is opposed.
HSB 631, SSB 3119, DNR MATTERS. Authorizes the Natural Resources Comm (NRC) to adopt rules for snowmobiles & ATVs. Discusses issues on trail designation, registration, certificates & education. Exempts snowmobiles & ATVs owned by state or local government from having to register. Allows the DNR to sell nursery stock out-of-state (this is causing some discussion by legislators). Requires DNR officers to meet the similar requirements as Dept of Public Safety officers. Allows the NRC to approve leases.Allows the DNR to set standards for online boating education courses. Amends the Code to include all-terrain vehicle riding among the public recreational purposes to be encouraged on private land. Prohibits baiting birds or wildlife, with numerous exceptions (food plots, normal ag activity, within 50 yards of an occupied residence, etc). Allows birds to be released at field or retriever meets. Prohibits the sale of falconry licenses to out-of-state persons. Sets a scheduled fine for illegal use of fireworks, guns and explosives on public lands at $50. HNR subcom-Bell, Arnold, Beard, Palmer, Rayhons, SNR subcom-Dearden, Black, Hahn.
Please read HF 2232 carefully. If you feel inclined to send an email please be polite and respectful.
Bills are starting to be pushed through subcommittees and committees in preparation for next weeks first funnel.
SSB 3198, SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SPENDING GUIDELINES. Includes provisions to implement the collection and spending of any sales tax increase for natural resources and recreation, should the voters approve the constitutional amendment in November and in the future a sales tax increase. The bill is to be debated in the SNRC on Tuesday. The SNRC will go into a “subcommittee of the whole” meaning all members of the SNRC will discuss the bill as a subcommittee. Upon passage by the subcommittee, the committee will reform and vote of the bill.
BAITING. Contained in HSB 631 & SSB 3119 is language prohibiting wildlife baiting with numerous exemptions. Both the HNRC & SNRC will consider the bills next week. Prohibiting baiting is of concern to several groups including the Cattlemen’s Assoc & NRA. The HNR subcom met Thursday and tried to alleviate concerns. One item of that will be included is a one-year moratorium on strict enforcement (no tickets). The subcommittee stressed that this first year will be for education. The fear of the DNR & the State Vet is that by congregating wildlife to a baiting situation could result in the spread of disease – chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis, and avian influenza are of most concern. If the diseases transmitted either to domestic livestock or wildlife, the economic damage will be significant. Baiting would include feeding waterfowl at lakes, blocks to attract wildlife to trail cams, etc. There are numerous exemptions. The first year will target education efforts.
DNR PEACE OFFICERS. Governor Culvers Executive Order 20 contained a vague reference regarding sharing or contracting with other entities for law enforcement. Without knowledge of the DNR, the Legislative Service Agency sent correspondence to county sheriffs seeking interest in contracting with the DNR for law enforcement. At this time, the DNR is not seeking to actively pursue law enforcement contracts for State Parks.
NEXT WEEK IS THE FIRST FUNNEL WEEK. Most bills (exceptions include Appropriations, Ways & Means, plus a few others) must be out of committee in the originating chamber. Next week will see the priority bills debated in and move out of committee.
NATURAL RESOURCES, OUTDOOR REC, …
HF 2232, DEER DEPREDATION & FREE LANDOWNER DEER & TURKEY LICENSES FOR NONRESIDENT LANDOWNERS. Makes nonresident landowners eligible for deer and other wild animal depredation permits. Plus allows nonresidents to qualify for a free landowner deer & turkey tag. HNRC. Sub committee members Rep. Lykam, May and Whitead.
HF 2142, STATE PARK FEES. Allows the Nat Resources Comm to set and collect a $2 daily 04 $10 annual fee for parking a vehicle in a state park. Allows a person cited for parking without a sticker to buy an annual permit within 20 days of the violation. Repeals the fees on July 2015. HNR-Beard, May, Thede.
HF 2200, GUNS IN VEHICLE. Prohibits a person carrying a gun in a vehicle unless the gun is taken down or in a secure case and unloaded (magazines may be attached but again unloaded), or as otherwise permitted by law. Passed HNRC & H. Goes to the S.
HF 2208, NONRESIDENT SHORT-TERM HUNTING LICENSE. Establishes a one-day non-resident license for $20 and a three-day license for $50. Requires the person to pay one-half of the wildlife habitat fee. HNRC.
HF 2210, RIGHT-OF-WAY MOWING RESTRICTION. Restricts mowing in medians and right-of-ways until July 15th. Makes exceptions for areas within 200 years of a house, 1 mile of a city, to promote native grass or deal with noxious weeds, for visibility or safety and at rest areas, weigh stations and parks. Passed the subcom. Goes to the full HNRC.
HF 2238, NONRESIDENT YOUTH DEER LICENSES. Requires the NRC to issue an any-sex deer license to a non-resident under 18 that hunts with a close relative of the minor who is an Iowa resident. The minor must be qualified to hunt with hunter safety and the resident will accompany the minor. Requires the purchase of a hunting license, and the wildlife habitat and deer management fees.HNRC.
HF 2239, PHEASANT SHOOTING HOURS. Requires the NRC to establish shooting hours for pheasant and quail an earlier than usual when Daylight Savings Time is in effect. HNRC. The DNR is opposed.
HSB 631, SSB 3119, DNR MATTERS. Authorizes the Natural Resources Comm (NRC) to adopt rules for snowmobiles & ATVs. Discusses issues on trail designation, registration, certificates & education. Exempts snowmobiles & ATVs owned by state or local government from having to register. Allows the DNR to sell nursery stock out-of-state (this is causing some discussion by legislators). Requires DNR officers to meet the similar requirements as Dept of Public Safety officers. Allows the NRC to approve leases.Allows the DNR to set standards for online boating education courses. Amends the Code to include all-terrain vehicle riding among the public recreational purposes to be encouraged on private land. Prohibits baiting birds or wildlife, with numerous exceptions (food plots, normal ag activity, within 50 yards of an occupied residence, etc). Allows birds to be released at field or retriever meets. Prohibits the sale of falconry licenses to out-of-state persons. Sets a scheduled fine for illegal use of fireworks, guns and explosives on public lands at $50. HNR subcom-Bell, Arnold, Beard, Palmer, Rayhons, SNR subcom-Dearden, Black, Hahn.
