ElkHunter
Life Member
IOWA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION
LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER
No. 2, 1/24/2011
LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER
No. 2, 1/24/2011
OVERVIEW OF THE WEEK
HF 45 passes the H prohibiting the DNR from acquiring land or rights in land through June 30, 2011 and reducing REAP for this fiscal year from $15 mil. to $11,931,189. I discussed the issue with several Democratic representatives. They did not speak on the issue during debate. The focus of the opposition centered on the cut to pre-kindergarten funding. I was unable to speak with H Appropriations Comm Chair Raecker but instead emailed him with our concern. He responded via email yesterday with the following: “We have spoken with the Department about this and will continue to work on the bill as it moves in the Senate.”
It is important for legislators to hear concerns from the conservation community, especially the newly elected legislators.
DNR Director Lande Update. I was informed that in a discussion with one or more senators, that Director Lande is supportive of increasing the number of nonresident, any-sex deer tags. He was scheduled to speak to the SNRC on Wednesday and rescheduled to confer with Governor Branstad.
NATURAL RESOURCES, OUTDOOR REC …
HF 22, DNR WALKING & RIDING TRAILS. Requires the NRC to designate trails for walking and horseback riding and to post signs. Requires the NRC to determine the conditions when trails can be used. Requires walkers and riders to only walk or ride on the designated trails and to obey the restrictions for those trails. Allows individuals or groups to apply for special off-trail permits. HNRC.
HF 45, TAXPAYER FIRST ACT. Prohibits DNR from acquiring land or rights in land through FY 2011 unless the property is donated, eliminates the Iowa Smart Planning Task Force, and prohibits lobbying by executive branch agencies. Amended & passed the H. Goes to the S where the bill faces an uphill road. Portions of the bill may move, but not as passed the H. Several Senate Democrats stated the limitation on DNR land acquisition and the reduction to this fiscal year’s REAP appropriation will not be accepted.
It is likely that the House will seek this restriction in the Ag & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. Senate Co-chair, Black, stated the Senate Ds would oppose this position if forwarded by the House Rs.
HF 48 REDUCED CAMPING FEES. Requires that if the NRC to reduce camping fees for Iowans 60 and older by half. HNRC. Unlikely to be considered. Will delete.
HF 51, REAP SPENDING. Reduces the REAP allocation percentage for Open Spaces from 28% to 20% and increases the allocation for state land management from 9% to 17%. HNRC. (Under Nat Res Comm direction, the DNR is to use approximately 50% of the Open Space Account for development.)
HF 64, EMINENT DOMAIN. Requires the Governor to approve all state eminent domain property purchases. Makes numerous changes including the burden of proof adds attorney fees to contest eminent domain. Prohibits removing a property from the state register of historic places by condemnation. Prohibits local entities that collect property taxes from lobbying on eminent domain. Excludes projects receiving state aid from the definition of public use, public purpose or public improvement. Prohibits the DNR and the NRC from using eminent domain, except for highways. Adds additional provisions on using eminent domain for creating a lake. HJC.
HSB 16, PISTOL PERMITS. Strikes the requirement for an annual handgun permit. HPSC
HSB 17, ARMS AMENDMENT. Proposes a constitutional amendment stating that individuals have the right to keep, buy and transport arms. Forbids licensing, registration, special taxes or any measure that is contrary to this right. HPSC
HSB 18, GUN RIGHTS. Prohibits the governor or other officials from using an emergency declaration or other public disorder to curtail the right of people to carry guns or ammunition. Allows temporary closures or limits on the hours of business that sell guns and firearms. HPSC.
HSB 19, PISTOL PERMITS. Prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances regulating guns and ammunition. Creates exemptions for the police and for employers to regulate their businesses. HPSC.
HSB 20, CARRYING GUNS.Changes provisions on carrying guns. Makes it an aggravated misdemeanor to carry a dangerous weapon with the intent to commit an unlawful act. Eliminates current restrictions on carrying dangerous weapons and does not allow the act of carrying a dangerous weapon to give rise to the inference that the person intends to use the weapon unlawfully. Strikes provisions making a carry permit invalid if a person is intoxicated and makes it a simple misdemeanor to carry a dangerous weapon while intoxicated. Includes other provisions. HPSC.
SF 7, HF 78, BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT - BOATING. Sets the blood alcohol limit at .08 for motorboats or sailboats operating while intoxicated offenses. Passed SNR subcom. Likely to be debated by full SNRC the week of Jan 24.
SF 21, GAME BIRD HUNTING PRESERVES. Reduces the number of contiguous acres that are required for a "game bird only" hunting preserve from 320 acres to 150 acres. SNR subcom-Schoenjahn, Ragan, Sorenson.
SF 50, ATV REGISTRATION. Allows ATVs, with 200 cc and over engines, to be registered as a motorcycle. Does not require the driver to have a motorcycle endorsement. Restricts registered ATVs to non-interstate highways. Exempts registered ATVs from the 35 mph limit applicable to unregistered ATVs. STC.
SF 57, HONEY CREEK SALE. Directs the Honey Creek Park Authority to develop a plan to sell the Honey Creek Park. Requires the NRC to approve the plan. Requires the sale funds to be used to pay outstanding obligations first and for the NRC to use any remaining proceeds for other parks. SNRC