Why It Matters: The Iowa legislative session saw its fair share of sportsmen and women-related bills introduced this year. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active in engaging on legislation that had negative impacts on conservation funding, enshrining the right to hunt, fish, and trap in the state constitution, and establishing a curriculum for firearms, hunting, and wildlife in school.
Highlights:
- Iowa House Joint Resolution 7 and Senate Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7 and SJR 7) were introduced to enshrine the right to hunt, fish, and trap in Iowa’s Constitution.
- Iowa Senate Joint Resolution 6 (SJR 6) was introduced to repeal the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.
- Iowa House File 536 (HF 536) would have created a firearm, hunting, and wildlife curriculum for students in six through eighth grade.
- Iowa House File 21 (HF 21) would have allowed veterans to fish without requiring or purchasing a fishing license.
Recently, the Iowa legislative session came to an end. While many of these bills did not pass this session, they are eligible to be carried over to the 2026 legislative session. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation actively engaged on each of these bills as they made their way through the legislative process.
Iowa House and Senate Joint Resolution 7 would enshrine the right to hunt, fish and trap in Iowa’s Constitution, safeguarding the future of Iowa’s outdoor heritage. CSF submitted testimony in support of the resolution to the House Natural Resources Committee, where they voted in support of the resolution. Unfortunately, HJR 7 and SJR 7 did not pass this session, but positive momentum was built, gaining support for the resolutions, which will be eligible to be carried over to next session.
Senate Joint Resolution 6 was also introduced, which aimed to repeal the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, an account established by voter approval in 2010 and designed to be funded a conservation sales tax that remains a key priority for many within the sporting-conservation community.. CSF submitted testimony in opposition to SJR 6 highlighting the importance of the Trust Fund once it is funded since the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) relies on the American System of Conservation Funding for their conservation efforts. SJR 6 did not pass, but like the other resolutions, is eligible for carry over to next session.
House Bill 536, a CSF priority bill, was introduced to create a firearm, hunting, and wildlife curriculum that can be implemented in school districts as an elective for students enrolled in sixth through eighth grade. CSF shared our support with Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs, and the bill will be carried over to the next legislative session.
Finally, CSF also engaged on House File 21, offering amendments to include language for reimbursement for free and discounted licenses. HF 21 would allow veterans to fish without purchasing a fishing license or needing any proof of a fishing license. While CSF appreciates opportunities to show support for those who have served our nation as members of the armed forces, there are considerations associated with waiving license requirements to account for lost conservation and access funding. CSF highlighted these concerns in testimony submitted to the Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee, including the negative impacts on funding that the DNR that relies on the sale of these licenses for their conservation efforts before the bill was ultimately renumbered and withdrawn from consideration.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is committed to working with legislators across the country, including in the Hawkeye State, to promote policies that benefit hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers and looks forward to continuing to engage on some of these bills next year.
