Environment (Conservation)

This bill creates new conservation area designations for landowners, replacing Iowa's existing forest and fruit-tree tax exemption program. Land designated as a conservation area will be taxed at $12 per acre for commercial uses (like fruit production or pasture managed with a certified plan) or $8 per acre for other conservation uses, starting in 2026. To qualify, areas must cover at least five continuous acres and meet specific land-use requirements, such as maintaining pasture stubble height or having hunting/fishing leases. The bill phases out the old exemption program, which applied only before 2026 and will be fully repealed by 2031.

HJR 1 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Iowa's Constitution that guarantees residents the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife using traditional methods. This right would be subject to "reasonable laws" by the legislature and "reasonable rules" by the natural resource commission, which must promote wildlife conservation, maintain public access to natural resources, and ensure future hunting/fishing opportunities. The amendment also specifies that public hunting and fishing should be a "preferred means" for managing wildlife populations. It explicitly states this change won't affect existing laws on property rights, trespass, or water resources.

HF 942 creates a four-year pilot program in Iowa to help farmers reduce commercial nitrogen-based fertilizer use. It offers financial incentives of at least $5 per acre to participating farmers who use approved alternative products (like nitrogen-fixing soil conditioners or biofertilizers) to meet a goal of lowering fertilizer rates by up to 15% or 30 pounds per acre. The program, administered by the state’s soil conservation division, is funded with $2 million annually starting in 2025 and requires participants to maintain records of their methods and results. The program will end in 2030, with a final report due in 2029.

SJR 7 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Iowa's Constitution that explicitly guarantees residents the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife using traditional methods. This right would be subject to state laws and rules focused on wildlife conservation, resource management, and preserving hunting/fishing opportunities. The amendment also designates public hunting and fishing as a "preferred means" for managing wildlife populations, while clarifying it does not affect existing laws on property rights, trespass, or water resources. If approved by voters, this would amend Iowa's Constitution, requiring legislative referral and public ratification after its current legislative process.