HF 806 (LSB 1159HV (3) 89)

HOUSE FILE 806

BY  COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 60)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the allocation of nonresident deer hunting licenses, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.8, subsection 3, paragraph c, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   c.  (1)  (a)  The commission shall annually limit to six thousand the number of nonresidents allowed to have antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses.  Of the six thousand nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses issued, five hundred of the licenses shall be reserved for nonresidents who have made a reservation with an outfitter that is currently registered as a business entity with the secretary of state and has maintained registration since prior to July 1, 2020. A nonresident may only receive one license under this subsection. An outfitter shall certify to the department that the outfitter is properly registered as a business entity. If fewer than five hundred nonresidents apply for a reserved license by the application deadline set by the commission by rule, any license not issued shall be made available for purchase at the same time and in the same manner as other excess nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses. Not more than thirty-five percent of the issued reserved licenses shall be bow season licenses. The nonresident shall provide with the license application evidence that the reservation is scheduled during a period in which the license is valid. Of the six thousand remaining nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses issued, not more than thirty-five percent of the licenses shall be bow season licenses.
   (b)  For purposes of this subparagraph, “outfitter” means a business that offers any of the following services in relation to hunting:
   (i)  Transportation services for individuals, equipment, supplies, or wildlife by means of a vehicle, vessel, or pack animal.
   (ii)  Facilities services including but not limited to providing tents, cabins, camp gear, food, or similar supplies, equipment, or accommodations.
   (iii)  Guiding, leading, packing, protecting, supervising, instructing, or training individuals or groups in the take or attempted take of wildlife.
   (2)  After the six thousand antlered or any sex nonresident deer hunting licenses have been issued, all additional licenses shall be issued for antlerless deer only. The commission shall annually determine the number of nonresident antlerless deer only deer hunting licenses that will be available for issuance.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to nonresident deer hunting licenses issued by the natural resource commission. Currently, the commission issues up to 6,000 antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses to nonresidents, which are allocated among zones based on deer populations. Not more than 35 percent of the licenses shall be bow season licenses. The bill requires the commission to reserve 500 of the nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses for nonresidents who have made a reservation with an outfitter, as defined in the bill, that is currently registered as a business entity with the secretary of state and has maintained registration since prior to July 1, 2020. The bill prohibits a nonresident from receiving more than one license issued under Code section 483A.8(3). The bill requires an outfitter to certify to the department of natural resources that the outfitter is properly registered as a business entity. If fewer than 500 nonresidents apply for a reserved license by the application deadline set by the commission, the excess reserved licenses shall be available for purchase in the same manner as other excess nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses. A nonresident shall include with the license application evidence that the reservation is scheduled for a time during which the license is valid. Not more than 35 percent of the issued reserved licenses and not more than 35 percent of the remaining licenses shall be bow season licenses.
   A person who violates a provision of this bill is subject to a scheduled fine of $35.