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SF 494 Iowa Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act prohibiting the regulation of certain residential gardens by state agencies and local governments.

This bill prohibits state agencies and local governments from regulating residential gardens on properties with one or two family homes. It specifically prevents bans on growing or harvesting food (like vegetables, herbs, or fruits) for personal or family use, and stops restrictions on selling such garden food to others. Exceptions include cases involving public safety, invasive plants, medical cannabis, or commercial operations. The law applies only to private residential properties and does not override existing rules about public health or property disputes.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action Apr 1, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprinted · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was reprinted after being amended and passed by the Senate, adding new provisions to protect the sale of garden food harvested from residential gardens. The most significant change is the addition of Section 137H.6, which prohibits state agencies and local governments from regulating the marketing of food grown in residential gardens, provided the food is not sold at public places. Several definitions were also updated to clarify terms like 'Marketing' and streamline the text.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to explicitly protect the marketing of garden food harvested from residential gardens, whereas the original version only protected the growing and harvesting of such gardens. The applicability section was also updated to align with the new marketing protections.
SCOPE

Added Section 137H.6 to prohibit state agencies and local governments from regulating the marketing of food harvested from residential gardens, with exceptions for public places.

Added Section 137H.7 to specify exceptions to the marketing protection, including plants subject to other regulations and public places where food is marketed by vendors.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Marketing' to clarify that it includes offering for sale or selling through transfer, exchange, or barter.

Revised Section 137H.3 to include a general principle that individuals have a right to market wholesome garden food harvested from their residential gardens, provided they fairly represent the food to purchasers.

TECHNICAL

Consolidated and renumbered sections to improve clarity and formatting, changing section numbers from 137H.4 and 137H.5 to 137H.4, 137H.5, 137H.6, and 137H.7.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

50–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Mar 24, 2025
D Democratic16
15 Yea 1
93% Yea
R Republican35
35 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 1, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends passage.
legislature
Mar 28, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 04/01/2025 8:00AM RM 102.
legislature
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee: Zabner, Bloomingdale and Jones.
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, yeas 49, nays 0.
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Amendment S-3043 filed, adopted.
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report, approving bill.
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, placed on calendar.
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.