HOUSE FILE 2026

BY  CHAMBERS, KAUFMANN, and LOFGREN

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for the issuance of special hunting licenses to certain nonresident disabled veterans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.24, Code Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  10A.  The commission shall issue a special hunting license, wild turkey hunting license, or any sex deer hunting license to a nonresident who has served in the armed forces of the United States on active federal service and who was disabled during that veteran’s military service to enable the disabled veteran to participate in a hunt that is conducted by a nonprofit organization that conducts hunting experiences in this state for disabled veterans. The licenses shall be issued as follows:
   a.  The department shall prepare an application to be used by a person requesting a special license under this subsection.
   (1)  The department shall verify that the license will be used by the applicant in connection with a hunt conducted by an approved nonprofit organization that conducts hunting experiences in this state for disabled veterans. The department shall specify, by rules adopted under chapter 17A, what requirements a nonprofit organization must meet in order to be approved to conduct hunts for disabled veterans who obtain licenses under this subsection.
   (2)  The department of veterans affairs shall assist the department in verifying the status or claims of applicants under this subsection. As used in this subsection, “disabled” means entitled to a service connected rating under 38 U.S.C. ch. 11.
   b.  A license issued under this subsection shall be in addition to the number of nonresident wild turkey hunting licenses authorized pursuant to section 483A.7 and nonresident deer hunting licenses authorized pursuant to section 483A.8.
   c.  A disabled veteran who receives a special license under this subsection shall purchase a hunting license, and a wild turkey hunting license or a deer hunting license, if applicable, and pay the wildlife habitat fee, all for the same fee that is charged to resident hunters. If hunting deer, the disabled veteran shall also pay a one dollar fee that shall be used and is appropriated for the purpose of deer herd population management, including assisting with the cost of processing deer donated to the help us stop hunger program administered by the commission.
   d.  A disabled veteran who receives a special license under this subsection is not required to complete the hunter safety and ethics education course if the disabled veteran is accompanied and aided during the hunt by a person who is a representative of a nonprofit organization approved under this subsection, is at least eighteen years of age, is qualified to hunt, and has a hunting license.
   e.  The turkey hunting licenses issued under this subsection are valid in all zones open to turkey hunting and shall be available for issuance and use during any turkey hunting season. The deer hunting licenses issued under this subsection are valid in all zones open to deer hunting and shall be available for issuance and use during any deer hunting season.
   f.  A license issued under this subsection is valid for use only on a hunt conducted by a nonprofit organization approved under this subsection.
   g.  The commission shall adopt rules under chapter 17A for the administration of this subsection.
EXPLANATION
   This bill requires the natural resource commission to issue special hunting licenses, wild turkey hunting licenses, and any sex deer hunting licenses to nonresident disabled veterans for use on hunts conducted by nonprofit organizations that conduct hunting experiences in the state for disabled veterans.
   The commission is required to verify that an applicant for a special license is entitled to a service-connected disability rating and that the license will be used in connection with a hunt conducted by an approved nonprofit organization that conducts hunting experiences in the state for disabled veterans. The commission shall adopt rules specifying the requirements for a nonprofit organization to be approved to hold such hunts.
   The special wild turkey and deer hunting licenses issued are in addition to the number of nonresident wild turkey hunting licenses authorized pursuant to Code section 483A.7 and nonresident deer hunting licenses authorized pursuant to Code section 483A.8. The special wild turkey and deer hunting licenses are valid in all zones open to wild turkey and deer hunting and during any season for wild turkey and deer hunting.
   A nonresident disabled veteran receiving a special license under the bill must purchase a hunting license, and a wild turkey or deer hunting license, if applicable, and pay the wildlife habitat fee and deer herd population management fee, but only at the rate charged to a resident hunter.
   A disabled veteran receiving a special license under the bill is not required to complete the hunter safety and ethics education course if the disabled veteran is accompanied and aided during the hunt by a person representing an approved nonprofit organization, who is at least 18 years of age, is qualified to hunt, and has a hunting license.
   The commission is required to adopt rules pursuant to Code section 17A to administer the provisions of the bill.