All Roll Calls
Yes: 208 • No: 59
IowaSF 65491st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
A bill for an act relating to wildlife, including the treatment of beaver dams, identification for traps, snares, and tree stands, maximum fur dealer license fees, and deer depredation, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly SF 260, SSB 1093.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
Signed by Governor
ways and means
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Property owners can alter beaver dams
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa property owners, their agents, and drainage districts can destroy beaver dens to protect the owner's property. They can also destroy, breach, or alter beaver dams for that purpose.
Fur dealer license fees capped at $50
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa fur dealer license fees cannot exceed $50 per year. The same cap applies to resident and nonresident dealers. The law does not state the prior fee or any resulting savings.
Wildlife damage permits help farms
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa landowners can seek wildlife damage and deer shooting permits after at least $1,000 in wildlife-caused losses. Qualifying losses must affect farming, plant-growing, or forestry operations; tenants need the landowner's written approval. Deer shooting permits are also available in areas where public safety may be an issue. Any conservation officer can issue permits under the wildlife damage program, but approval is not guaranteed. The wildlife damage unit serves as a contact for affected producers. The Department of Natural Resources must enter an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Damage Control Division.
Deer stands need tags; owners gain protection
Beginning July 1, 2026, deer-hunting tree stands on Iowa public land must display a metal plate with the owner's department-issued identification number. Violations carry a $30 scheduled fine. Stand owners are not liable for personal-property damage or injuries resulting from another person's use of the stand. The law also sets a $30 scheduled fine for other listed wildlife and licensing violations.
Trappers get identification choices alongside limits
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa fur-bearing animal traps and snares need a clearly labeled metal tag. It can show the user's department-issued identification number or name and address. Traps and snares must be checked at least every 24 hours, except those entirely underwater. Officers can confiscate equipment that is improperly labeled or not checked as required. Using or attempting to use colony traps is banned, except for muskrats as allowed by rule. Box traps capable of catching multiple animals per setting are banned. Box-trapping cottontail rabbits or squirrels requires a valid hunting license.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/2/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 32 • No: 12
legislature vote • 4/27/2026
Amendment H-8408 filed
Yes: 65 • No: 24
House vote • 4/27/2026
Passed House
Yes: 66 • No: 23
Senate vote • 5/14/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 45 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
6/2/2026SenateReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/11/2026SenateMessage from Senate.
5/2/2026HouseImmediate message.
5/2/2026SenatePassed Senate, yeas 32, nays 12.
5/2/2026SenateSenate concurred with S-5216.
5/2/2026SenateExplanation of vote.
5/1/2026HouseMessage from House, with amendment S-5216.
4/27/2026SenateImmediate message.
4/27/2026HousePassed House, yeas 66, nays 23.
4/27/2026HouseAmendment H-8408 filed, yeas 65, nays 24, adopted.
4/27/2026HousePlaced on Ways and Means calendar.
4/22/2026HouseCommittee vote: Yeas, 24. Nays, 0. Excused, 1.
4/21/2026HouseCommittee report, recommending passage.
4/21/2026HouseSubcommittee recommends passage.
3/11/2026legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 03/11/2026 12:00PM House Lounge 2.
3/9/2026HouseSubcommittee: Wulf, Gjerde and Hermanson.
1/29/2026HouseRead first time, referred to Ways and Means.
1/13/2026House* * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *
12/31/2025legislatureMessage from Senate.
5/14/2025HouseImmediate message.
5/14/2025SenatePassed Senate, yeas 45, nays 0.
5/14/2025SenateCommittee report, approving bill.
5/9/2025SenateIntroduced, placed on Ways and Means calendar.
5/9/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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