# Iowa SF 646: 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. Iowa SF 646, 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., is a 91st General Assembly (2025–2026) Senate bill sponsored by COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS; status signed, last action 2025-06-27 (Explanations of votes.); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-18). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IA-SF646-2025-2026 - As of: 2026-10-18 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Iowa SF 646 - State: Iowa - Session: 91st General Assembly (2025–2026) - Title: 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. - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-05-01 - Last action: 2025-06-27, Explanations of votes. - Sponsor: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS - Cosponsors: 0 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 3 (126 yes, 104 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 33 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Farmers with disabilities get service funding: benefit, low. 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 experie… - Wildlife staff pay and retiree insurance: benefit, low. 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, offic… - Property owners lose potential disease levy: benefit, low. 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 fis… - Butchery businesses get financial assistance funding: benefit, low. 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 fo… - Swine owners gain disease testing access: benefit, low. 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… - Cost sharing for farm water projects: benefit, low. 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… - Funding flood monitoring and dam safety: benefit, low. 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 a… - Funding forest health and landowner help: benefit, low. 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 for… - Funding horse and dog racing oversight: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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… - Funding Iowa resource protection projects: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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% administrati… - Funding soil conservation and farm incentives: benefit, low. 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, p… - Funding upkeep at Iowa state parks: benefit, low. 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 depart… - Funding water monitoring and pollution oversight: benefit, low. 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 particula… - Funding water supplies and groundwater planning: benefit, low. 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 operation… - Funding wetlands and farm conservation help: benefit, low. 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,… - Iowa continues conservation and parks funding: benefit, low. 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 resou… - Iowa funds Grade A milk oversight: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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, hone… - Iowa funds education for future farmers: benefit, low. 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,… - Conservation projects get longer funding windows: benefit, low. 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 pr… - Funding animal disease prevention and response: benefit, low. 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 foreig… - Funding Iowa agriculture and natural resources: benefit, low. 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… - Funding livestock testing and disease research: benefit, low. 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 coll… - Iowa funds grain industry oversight: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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 al… - Iowa funds rural grocery research: benefit, low. 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 re… - Choose Iowa funds farm business programs: benefit, low. 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 allocat… - Livestock owners lose disease payment protections: cost, medium. 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 th… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-05-13 | House | Passed House | pass | 63 | 28 | | | 2025-05-13 | legislature | Amendment H-1337 | fail | 29 | 62 | | | 2025-05-12 | Senate | Passed Senate | pass | 34 | 14 | | ## Actions (23) - 2025-06-27: Explanations of votes. (House) - 2025-06-27: Explanation of vote. (House) - 2025-06-27: Explanation of vote. (House) - 2025-06-11: Signed by Governor. (Senate) - 2025-05-30: NOBA: Final (legislature) - 2025-05-23: Reported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor. (Senate) - 2025-05-13: Message from House. (Senate) - 2025-05-13: Immediate message. (House) - 2025-05-13: Passed House, yeas 63, nays 28. (House) - 2025-05-13: Amendment H-1337, yeas 29, nays 62, filed, lost. (House) - 2025-05-13: NOBA: Senate Floor (Senate) - 2025-05-13: Amendment H-1338, yeas 29, nays 62, filed, lost. (House) - 2025-05-13: Substituted for HF 1043. (House) - 2025-05-13: Read first time, passed on file. (House) - 2025-05-13: Message from Senate. (House) - 2025-05-12: Immediate message. (Senate) - 2025-05-12: Passed Senate, yeas 34, nays 14. (Senate) - 2025-05-12: Amendment S-3150 adopted, as amended. (Senate) - 2025-05-12: Amendment S-3163 to S-3150 filed, adopted. (Senate) - 2025-05-09: Amendment S-3150 filed. (Senate) - 2025-05-01: NOBA: Senate Full Approps (Senate) - 2025-05-01: Committee report, approving bill. (Senate) - 2025-05-01: Introduced, placed on Appropriations calendar. (Senate) ## Bill text - As Introduced: [PDF](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/SF646.pdf) - Enrolled: [PDF](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGE/91/SF646.pdf) ## Related bills - HF 2801: A bill for an act modifying the major economic growth attraction program, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 785.) Effective date: 10/02/20… (signed) - SF 2472: A bill for an act relating to state and local government taxes, fees, financial authority, and budgets, by modifying property assessment provisions, divisions… (signed) - HF 2601: A bill for an act relating to campaign finance, including participation in ballot issue campaigns by foreign nationals and investigations of election misconduc… (signed) - SF 2399: A bill for an act relating to bail and bond amounts and conditions. (Formerly SSB 3162.) Effective date: 07/01/2026. (signed) - SF 2471: A bill for an act relating to fees for lifetime fur harvester licenses. (Formerly SF 2317, SSB 3121.) Effective date: 07/01/2026. (signed) - SF 2299: A bill for an act relating to the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program. (Formerly SF 2176.) Vetoed 6-2-26. (vetoed) ## Sources - [As Introduced (PDF)](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/SF646.pdf) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGE/91/SF646.pdf) ## Related - [HF 2801: A bill for an act modifying the major economic growth attraction program, and i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IA-HF2801-2025-2026) - [SF 2472: A bill for an act relating to state and local government taxes, fees, financial…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IA-SF2472-2025-2026) - [HF 2601: A bill for an act relating to campaign finance, including participation in ball…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IA-HF2601-2025-2026) - [SF 2399: A bill for an act relating to bail and bond amounts and conditions. (Formerly S…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IA-SF2399-2025-2026) - [SF 2471: A bill for an act relating to fees for lifetime fur harvester licenses. (Former…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IA-SF2471-2025-2026) - [SF 2299: A bill for an act relating to the district-to-community college sharing or conc…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IA-SF2299-2025-2026) - [Iowa bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/iowa/bills) - [Iowa state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/iowa) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IA-SF646-2025-2026 (as of 2026-10-18).