IowaSF 64691st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection. (Formerly SSB 1230.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

33 provisions identified: 32 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Livestock owners lose disease payment protections

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa removes the cattle tuberculosis destruction rule requiring owner consent unless reimbursement funds are available. Tuberculosis eradication programs also no longer must cover owners' losses when no other payment source exists. These programs still require an outbreak threatening public health or welfare and executive council approval. Owners who refuse to confine cattle for required tuberculosis tests must pay for hired confinement help. That expense can no longer be deducted from an indemnity payment.

Farmers with disabilities get service funding

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides $230,000 to help farmers with disabilities stay home and keep farming. Services include home and worksite advice, peer and family support, referrals, and equipment loans across all 99 counties. The national nonprofit recipient must have over 80 years of experience helping people with disabilities and special needs. Its program must have begun in 1986, spread to at least 30 other states, and have no other Iowa provider. Unspent, uncommitted money remains available through June 30, 2027.

Wildlife staff pay and retiree insurance

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa natural resources officials can use unallocated Fish and Game Protection Fund balances for qualifying retirees' insurance. This covers health and life premiums from unused sick leave for retired conservation peace officers in protection occupations. For 2025–2026, officials can also use the balance for salary adjustments for department employees funded through that account. The law sets no individual payment amount and does not guarantee a pay adjustment.

Property owners lose potential disease levy

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa ends the county property levy for brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication expenses. The former levy could reach 33¾ cents per $1,000 of assessed taxable property value. It could be required when the January 20 disease fund balance appeared too low for the following fiscal year. Actual taxpayer savings depend on whether the levy otherwise applied.

Butchery businesses get financial assistance funding

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides $249,695 for the Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Program. The money comes from the Skilled Worker and Job Creation Fund. Businesses and projects must qualify under the program's legal criteria; the law sets no individual award amount. Up to 5% can pay for administration. Unspent, uncommitted funds remain available through June 30, 2028.

Swine owners gain disease testing access

Beginning July 1, 2025, funding for breeding-swine brucellosis tests no longer depends on money being left after cattle testing needs. Owners must request the inspection and test and agree to follow department rules. Testing expenses are paid under the rules for cattle brucellosis testing. The law does not state an amount each owner saves.

Cost sharing for farm water projects

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $2.375 million for Water Quality Initiative projects, outreach, demonstrations, evaluations, and cost sharing. Projects serve designated watersheds; demonstrations must use Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy practices. The program must allow participation by people with a legal interest in farmland and encourage practical collaboration within subwatersheds. Except for edge-of-field practices, state support cannot exceed 50% of the lower of estimated or actual establishment costs. Urban conservation cost sharing is also allowed, and administration and implementation are capped at 10%. The agency must evaluate water quality and build a combined database; information identifying people or specific farmland stays confidential.

Funding flood monitoring and dam safety

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides $1.51 million for floodplain management and dam safety. Up to $400,000 may fund stream gauges, flood tracking and prediction, and improved flood-frequency data. Unspent money from that appropriation remains available through June 30, 2027. A separate $375,000 appropriation supports floodplain management and dam safety for 2025–2026.

Funding forest health and landowner help

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides $525,000 for forest health management programs. Unspent funds remain available through June 30, 2027. Iowa State University extension also receives $150,000 and one full-time-equivalent position to help landowners and loggers manage northeast Iowa's private forests. The natural resources department must help administer that support.

Funding horse and dog racing oversight

For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, Iowa provides $305,516 to administer and enforce horse and dog racing laws. The agriculture department receives the money from available unclaimed pari-mutuel wagering winnings. This funds state oversight, not direct payments to households.

Funding hunting, fishing, and snowmobile programs

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides about $51.4 million from the State Fish and Game Protection Fund. It supports hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife protection, restoration, and management. Another $100,000 from the Special Snowmobile Fund supports snowmobile program administration and enforcement.

Funding injury prevention for farm workers

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides $128,154 to its Center for Agricultural Safety and Health to prevent work-related illness and injury. The University of Iowa must retain the current director for at least the hours worked in 2024–2025. It cannot reduce the center's other support because of this money. Unspent funds return to the general fund if the university fails the funding purposes and conditions by June 30, 2026. For funds reverting under the state's year-end rule, the university must replace an equal amount from available sources, less money already returned.

Funding Iowa resource protection projects

For 2025–2026, Iowa puts $12 million from the Environment First Fund into Resources Enhancement and Protection, called REAP. This replaces the program's standing appropriation for that year. The money follows REAP's existing allocation rules rather than going directly to households.

Funding Loess Hills and southern conservation

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides $300,000 to the Loess Hills Development and Conservation Fund. Of that, $260,000 goes to Hungry Canyons and $40,000 to the Loess Hills Alliance. Another $100,000 goes to the Southern Iowa Development and Conservation Fund. Each allocation has a 10% administrative cost cap.

Funding soil conservation and farm incentives

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $8.325 million for soil and water conservation, including $140,000 for Hungry Canyons. The remaining $8.185 million supports conservation resources, districts, and administration, with a 15% administration and implementation cap. Districts may use their first $15,000, plus up to 30% of the remaining allocation, for specified row-crop erosion-control incentives. Of the $8.185 million, 5% must support public-lake watershed incentives; up to 5% may address statutory erosion complaints through cost sharing. Hungry Canyons administration is capped at 10%. A separate $3.8 million funds conservation program operations, including $150,000 for field staff giving technical help.

Funding upkeep at Iowa state parks

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $6.235 million for regular state park operations, maintenance, and related staff time. Separate appropriations provide $1 million for park operations and repairs and $300,000 for structural and infrastructure repairs. Beginning July 1, 2025, the natural resources department must reserve 50 full-time-equivalent positions for seasonal park upkeep and sanitation. These come from its general-fund-authorized positions without affecting conservation officer, park ranger, or park manager positions.

Funding water monitoring and pollution oversight

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $2.955 million to continue establishing and operating water quality monitoring stations. Another $1.32 million funds regulation of animal feeding operations. A separate $425,000 supports air pollution prevention and control, including work to meet and maintain particulate matter standards.

Funding water supplies and groundwater planning

For 2025–2026, Iowa deposits $500,000 into the public water supply system account of the Water Quality Protection Fund. The Iowa Geological Survey receives $495,000 to assess water quantities and help the natural resources department regulate water use. A separate $200,000 supports survey operations, data, investigations, and information for developing and protecting water supplies. Another $200,000 funds aquifer mapping and assessment, including groundwater amounts, use, recharge, and planning models. Unspent aquifer-assessment money remains available for that work after the fiscal year ends.

Funding wetlands and farm conservation help

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $1 million to restore and build wetlands through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. These funds may combine with appropriate Environment First funds to match federal Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program money. Another $900,000 supports watershed flood control, water quality, erosion control, and conservation. A separate $900,000 helps farmers enroll in and carry out the federal Conservation Reserve Program, including revegetation. Each of those three appropriations has a 10% administration and implementation cap. Another $195,000 provides mapping data to help local watershed managers plan work and track results.

Iowa continues conservation and parks funding

The law continues the annual $20 million General Fund appropriation for Iowa's Resources Enhancement and Protection Fund through June 30, 2028. Lottery money appropriated to that fund reduces the General Fund amount dollar for dollar that year. For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, natural resources officials can use up to $1 million from its Open Spaces Account for parks. Allowed uses include upkeep, development, operations, and facility repairs.

Iowa funds Grade A milk oversight

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $189,196 for dairy regulation. This includes surveys of Grade A milk and certification of the results. Unspent, uncommitted money remains available through June 30, 2027. The funding supports oversight, not direct payments to milk producers or consumers.

Iowa funds motor fuel inspections

For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, Iowa provides $500,000 for motor fuel inspections. The money comes from the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Fund. It supports inspection work rather than setting fuel prices or paying households.

Food banks get matching Iowa purchases

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides $200,000 for food banks and emergency feeding groups to buy Iowa-produced food. Choose Iowa reimburses $1 for each $1 participants spend, capped at $50,000 per participant and $200,000 for the fiscal year. Qualified foods include meat, dairy, grains, eggs, honey, and produce; up to 5% of funds can cover administration. Unspent, uncommitted funding remains available through June 30, 2027. Reports are due each January 15, and the program ends July 1, 2030.

Iowa funds education for future farmers

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $150,000 to an Iowa association promoting agricultural education for future farmers. The association must be affiliated with a national organization doing that work. Unspent, uncommitted money remains available through June 30, 2027. The funding goes to the association, not as individual education payments.

Conservation projects get longer funding windows

Beginning July 1, 2025, eligible unspent, uncommitted appropriations in this division can remain available beyond their original fiscal year. Most remain available until the next fiscal year ends or the project finishes, whichever comes first. Assistance for permanent soil and water conservation practices remains available through June 30, 2029. Transfers to the Loess Hills Development and Conservation Fund follow that fund's separate return-of-funds rules.

Funding animal disease prevention and response

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa establishes an Animal Disease Prevention Fund under the agriculture department to fund a prevention strategy. It accepts legislative, federal, other public, and private money; interest and unspent balances stay in the fund. For 2025–2026, it provides $250,000 for foreign animal disease response equipment and $450,000 for department technology upgrades. It also provides $100,000 to help an Iowa-based animal vaccine company develop foreign animal disease vaccines. Another $100,000 goes to the Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Fund. Unspent money from these four appropriations remains available through June 30, 2027.

Funding Iowa agriculture and natural resources

For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, Iowa funds both agencies' operations, regulation, and programs. The agriculture department receives about $20.38 million and authority for up to 420 full-time-equivalent positions. The natural resources department receives about $12.82 million and authority for up to 1,145.95 full-time-equivalent positions. Both amounts come from the state general fund.

Funding livestock testing and disease research

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides about $4.8 million and up to 51 full-time-equivalent positions for Iowa State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The university must allocate this money to its veterinary college for the lab by June 30, 2026, or return it. Other support for the college cannot fall because of this appropriation, except through equal-percentage cuts across all university budget units. Another $120,000 from the Iowa Nutrient Research Fund supports lab operations for 2025–2026. The Animal Disease Prevention Fund provides $250,000 to move and install equipment in the refurbished lab. It also provides $100,000 for university research on animal diseases important to livestock producers.

Iowa funds grain industry oversight

For July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, Iowa provides $350,000 to administer and enforce its grain laws. The money supports state oversight of the grain sector. It does not directly change household taxes, benefits, or prices.

Iowa funds grape and wine research

For 2025–2026, Iowa transfers $325,000 from the agriculture department's general budget to Iowa State University. The money supports the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute. It supports the industry-focused institute rather than providing direct household payments.

Iowa funds livestock disease prevention

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $1.05 million for its Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Fund. The fund can now support strategy development, implementation, and broader work against emerging or returning animal diseases. Allowed costs include staff pay, support, and maintenance. Iowa also provides $291,390 for Iowa State University livestock disease research. Beginning July 1, 2025, unspent, uncommitted money in the former brucellosis and tuberculosis fund moves to the Animal Disease Prevention Fund.

Iowa funds rural grocery research

For 2025–2026, Iowa provides $125,000 for its Local Food and Farm Program. This includes $50,000 for Iowa State University to study whether Choose Iowa can serve rural grocers. The agriculture department must share the cost of a program coordinator with the university. Unspent, uncommitted money remains available through June 30, 2027. This funds program work, not direct payments to grocers or households.

Choose Iowa funds farm business programs

Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa provides $1.813 million to the Choose Iowa Fund. At least $500,000 goes to value-added agricultural grants, and at least $500,000 goes to dairy innovation and revitalization. Up to $813,000 can support Choose Iowa promotion. The agriculture department can adjust allocations based on awards after posting notice on its website at least 30 days beforehand.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 126 • No: 104

House vote • 5/13/2025

Passed House

Yes: 63 • No: 28

legislature vote • 5/13/2025

Amendment H-1337

Yes: 29 • No: 62

Senate vote • 5/12/2025

Passed Senate

Yes: 34 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

Explanations of votes.
6/27/2025House
Explanation of vote.
6/27/2025House
Explanation of vote.
6/27/2025House
Signed by Governor.
6/11/2025Senate
NOBA: Final
5/30/2025legislature
Reported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/23/2025Senate
Message from House.
5/13/2025Senate
Immediate message.
5/13/2025House
Passed House, yeas 63, nays 28.
5/13/2025House
Amendment H-1337, yeas 29, nays 62, filed, lost.
5/13/2025House
NOBA: Senate Floor
5/13/2025Senate
Amendment H-1338, yeas 29, nays 62, filed, lost.
5/13/2025House
Substituted for HF 1043.
5/13/2025House
Read first time, passed on file.
5/13/2025House
Message from Senate.
5/13/2025House
Immediate message.
5/12/2025Senate
Passed Senate, yeas 34, nays 14.
5/12/2025Senate
Amendment S-3150 adopted, as amended.
5/12/2025Senate
Amendment S-3163 to S-3150 filed, adopted.
5/12/2025Senate
Amendment S-3150 filed.
5/9/2025Senate
NOBA: Senate Full Approps
5/1/2025Senate
Committee report, approving bill.
5/1/2025Senate
Introduced, placed on Appropriations calendar.
5/1/2025Senate

Bill Text

As Introduced
PDF
Enrolled
PDF

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