All Roll Calls
Yes: 114 • No: 16
IowaHF 221591st General Assembly (2025–2026)House
A bill for an act relating to natural resources, including office locations of the director of natural resources, state park user fee pilot programs, the delegation of powers and duties concerning state preserves, and age requirements for hunting deer with pistols or revolvers. (Formerly HSB 553.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Stronger natural resources presence and enforcement
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Natural Resources keeps an office at or near the State Capitol. It is open at reasonable times for public business. The director can appoint temporary peace officers for up to six months to enforce natural‑resources and trespass laws. They must meet any physical, educational, mental, and moral standards the director sets and are exempt from Chapter 80B training. The act also repeals one subsection of the state’s scheduled‑violation law (section 805.8C(14)).
Stronger protections for state preserves
Beginning July 1, 2026, land becomes a state preserve after commission approval, owner dedication, and governor designation. Owners must use commission forms for articles of dedication, which the governor approves and the county records office records. Articles can limit development, sale, transfer, access, and use, and may include reversion rights and violation procedures. Preserves are held in trust and cannot be sold or condemned without multi‑branch approval and an imperative and unavoidable public necessity finding. The commission may amend dedication terms only with the governor’s approval and only if the preserve’s purpose stays protected. Before any amendment or necessity finding, the commission must publish notice in the county newspaper and mail notice to requestors, then hold a hearing 60+ days later.
New pistol deer hunting rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, pistols or revolvers are legal for deer if they have a 4‑inch+ barrel, 0.350–0.500 inch expanding‑type bullets, and 500+ ft‑lb muzzle energy with centerfire ammo. Rules can allow black‑powder pistols and may limit projectile types. Hunters age 20 or younger must be under direct supervision by a licensed adult age 21+ and have parent, guardian, or 21+ spouse consent. The supervisor must handle the pistol when it is not in use. Possessing a prohibited pistol while deer hunting is a scheduled violation under state law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 31 • No: 14
House vote • 3/5/2026
Passed House
Yes: 83 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
4/9/2026GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
4/9/2026SenateMessage from Senate.
3/9/2026SenateImmediate message.
3/9/2026legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 31, nays 14.
3/9/2026SenatePoint of order raised on S-5080, ruled not germane.
3/9/2026legislatureAmendment S-5080 filed.
3/9/2026legislatureSubstituted for SF 2230.
3/9/2026legislatureRead first time, attached to SF 2230.
3/9/2026legislatureMessage from House.
3/9/2026HouseImmediate message.
3/5/2026legislaturePassed House, yeas 83, nays 2.
3/5/2026HouseIntroduced, placed on calendar.
1/29/2026legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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