All Roll Calls
Yes: 128 • No: 4
IowaSF 246591st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
A bill for an act relating to agriculture, including by providing for the powers and duties of the department of agriculture and land stewardship, including the promotion and regulation of commodities and products, the regulation of the transportation of agricultural items, the use of agricultural land, sales and use taxes, and veterinary practice and income taxes, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SF 2420, SSB 3123.) Effective date: 06/01/2026, 07/01/2026, 01/01/2027. Applicability date: 01/01/2027.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Signed by Governor
ways and means
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.
Fewer permits for on-farm tourism
The law says agricultural purpose includes farm tourism, value-added processing, direct sales, and other on-farm businesses. A county cannot require a conditional use permit, special use permit, special exception, or variance for an agricultural experience on a farm. This applies only when the property’s main use stays agricultural production. Examples include tours, classes, dining, weddings, short-term rentals, and fair events on fairgrounds.
Grants to expand small meat processing
The department offers grants to start, expand, or upgrade small meat processors, lockers, and mobile units. Awards cover eligible costs and depend on available funds, with priority for projects that add jobs, expand farmer markets, or increase flexibility. The prior code section for this program is repealed and replaced in this law.
Heavier milk trucks allowed by permit
Beginning January 1, 2027, milk haulers can get an annual permit to run up to 136,000 pounds. The permit covers primary roads and primary road extensions in cities. It applies to trucks hauling fluid milk to or from plants, receiving stations, or transfer stations. The DOT sets minimum axle spacing rules.
Matching dollars for Iowa school foods
Eligible schools get $1 back for every $1 they spend on approved Iowa foods like meat, dairy (not milk), grains, eggs, honey, and produce. The department may set limits, prorate if funds run short, and use up to 5% for administration. It also runs a farm‑to‑school program linking schools with Iowa farms. Farm‑to‑school fund administration is capped at 4% each year. The department reports to state leaders by July 31 each year, and an older farm‑to‑school code section is repealed.
Tighter audits and paperwork for grain
Grain dealers and warehouse operators must file financial statements with an unqualified Iowa CPA audit each year. The department may accept a qualified opinion or a CPA review in limited cases. Only department‑approved printers may print warehouse receipt forms, and unused forms must be surrendered if a license ends.
Grain claim deadlines and lien changes
If a grain dealer’s license ends or bankruptcy is filed, you must file your purchase‑price claim within 120 days. Claims against warehouse operators also have a 120‑day window, with an exception if a receiver is petitioned in time. After 180 days, active dealers or warehouse operators can require the indemnity board to file a lien termination. If a bankruptcy court finalizes your loss, you have 60 days to file a repayment claim. The indemnity fund pays eligible sellers for qualifying repayment losses.
New fees and rules for scales, pumps
Owners of commercial scales, pumps, scanners, and accuracy‑affecting accessories must get a device license and pay a fee set by device class. The fee is due when the department issues the license. The department can accept recent service‑agency test reports instead of some inspections, but still inspects motor‑fuel pumps, moisture meters, and EV chargers. Makers must give buyers device specs before approval, and servicers must meet national standards. Heavy commercial scales over 500 pounds must have automatic recorders; if one breaks, you can handwrite tickets for up to 7 days while repairs start. Iowa updates its measurement standards, names a state metrologist, and repeals some older code sections.
When grain title transfers in credit sales
In a credit‑sale, title moves to the dealer when both parties sign and the dealer (or a contract‑named party) has the grain. This does not apply if title already passed in a cash sale. The rule clarifies who owns grain during credit sales.
Priority for beginning farmers on awards
The department may give beginning farmers priority when scoring applications under section 187.311. This raises the chance that new farmers receive awards.
Broader farm and crop definitions
More places and goods now count as a farm and farm crops. This includes barns, greenhouses, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and items like nuts, maple syrup, mushrooms, Christmas trees, and honey. It helps ag‑tourism and legal protections tied to these terms.
Choose Iowa membership and logo rules
The department enrolls producers, processors, and marketers as Choose Iowa members. It decides logo use, can deny use tied to adulterated or illegal food, and can issue one‑year licenses. The department writes the membership rules. Money in the Choose Iowa fund is under the department’s control to run these programs.
Stronger animal disease response and privacy
The department may lease buildings and equipment to prepare for or respond to animal disease. Records that name owners, show locations, or could identify affected herds are confidential. The state veterinarian may share details only when needed to protect public or animal health.
Matching funds for Iowa food banks
Iowa food banks and emergency feeding groups recognized by the department get $1 back for every $1 spent on eligible Iowa food. Total reimbursements are capped at $200,000 each fiscal year. No organization can receive more than $50,000 per year. The department may use up to 5% for administration and must report each July 31. This section ends July 1, 2030.
Biodiesel grants capped; admin money set
Grants for biodiesel equipment at retail sites are limited to $1.75 million each year. The department may spend up to $150,000 a year on program administration and up to 0.75% on marketing. All remaining money must go to financial incentives.
Clearer timing for per-bushel fees
When a per-bushel indemnity fee is passed to a seller, it is counted at the time of payment. The law uses the definition of payment in section 203.8. This clarifies when the fee is due and recorded between buyers and sellers.
Trailer length and overhang rules
Most tractor‑semitrailer setups are limited to 53 feet. Lowboy semitrailers used only for construction equipment or implements of husbandry may be up to 57 feet. Loads of passenger vehicles may extend up to 3 feet in front and 4 feet in back.
State ag marketing records kept private
Records the department uses to market Iowa commodities and products are closed to public records requests. This keeps promotional plans and related files private.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/2/2026
Passed House
Yes: 81 • No: 4
Senate vote • 4/28/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 47 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
6/1/2026GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/18/2026SenateMessage from House.
5/2/2026HouseImmediate message.
5/2/2026legislatureExplanations of votes.
5/2/2026legislaturePassed House, yeas 81, nays 4.
5/2/2026HouseAmendment H-8469 filed, withdrawn.
5/2/2026legislatureAmendment H-8462 withdrawn.
5/2/2026legislatureNOBA: Senate Floor
5/1/2026SenatePlaced on Ways and Means calendar.
5/1/2026legislatureCommittee amendment H-8462 filed.
5/1/2026legislatureCommittee vote: Yeas, 23. Nays, 1. Excused, 1.
5/1/2026legislatureCommittee report, recommending amendment and passage.
5/1/2026legislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
5/1/2026legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: [].
4/30/2026legislatureSubcommittee: Wulf, Hora and Jacoby.
4/29/2026legislatureRead first time, referred to Ways and Means.
4/29/2026legislatureMessage from Senate.
4/29/2026SenateImmediate message.
4/28/2026legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 47, nays 0.
4/28/2026SenateAmendment S-5227 filed, adopted.
4/28/2026legislatureNOBA: Senate Full Approps
3/18/2026SenateCommittee report, approving bill.
3/4/2026legislatureIntroduced, placed on Appropriations calendar.
3/4/2026legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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