House File 410 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 410 BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES (SUCCESSOR TO HF 175) A BILL FOR An Act classifying Palmer amaranth as a primary noxious weed 1 and an invasive plant and making penalties applicable. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 TLSB 2067HV (1) 87 sr/nh

H.F. 410 Section 1. Section 199.1, subsection 16, paragraph a, Code 1 2017, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: 2 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (9) Palmer amaranth —— Amaranthus 3 palmeri. 4 Sec. 2. Section 317.1A, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 5 2017, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: 6 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (12) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus 7 palmeri). 8 Sec. 3. Section 317.25, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 9 2017, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: 10 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (9) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus 11 palmeri). 12 EXPLANATION 13 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 14 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 15 This bill places Palmer amaranth on the primary noxious 16 weed list and the list of invasive plants that are prohibited 17 to import, sell, offer for sale, or distribute in the state. 18 Palmer amaranth is a species of edible flowering plant that 19 is aggressive and invasive, crowding out crops such as corn, 20 soybeans, and cotton. 21 Code chapter 199 provides a list of primary and secondary 22 noxious weed seeds, provides requirements for labeling seeds 23 that are sold, classifies certified seeds, and prohibits 24 certain acts relating to seeds. Pursuant to the bill, the 25 selling of Palmer amaranth seed is a simple misdemeanor 26 pursuant to Code section 199.13 and violators may be subject to 27 criminal or civil proceedings. 28 Code chapter 317 creates standards for noxious weed control 29 for each county weed commissioner, allows county commissioners 30 to enter land in certain circumstances, and authorizes 31 commissioners to keep roads clear of noxious weeds. Pursuant 32 to Code section 317.16, a person who fails to comply with an 33 order to destroy Palmer amaranth on property is subject to 34 monetary daily fines for up to 10 days. The county where 35 -1- LSB 2067HV (1) 87 sr/nh 1/ 2

H.F. 410 Palmer amaranth is discovered will destroy the plant and the 1 costs associated with such destruction shall be assessed to the 2 landowner under Code section 317.21. 3 -2- LSB 2067HV (1) 87 sr/nh 2/ 2