SF 2219 (LSB 5149XS (2) 89)

SENATE FILE 2219

BY  DICKEY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the transferability of free deer hunting licenses for use on farm units.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.24, subsection 2, paragraph c, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   c.  Upon written application on forms furnished by the department, the department shall issue annually without fee two deer hunting licenses, one antlered or any sex deer hunting license and one antlerless deer only deer hunting license, to the owner of a farm unit or a member of the owner’s family, but only a total of two licenses for both, and to the tenant of a farm unit or a member of the tenant’s family, but only a total of two licenses for both.  A person receiving an any sex deer hunting license under this paragraph may transfer the any sex deer hunting license, including by sale, to any person, including a nonresident, with a valid hunting license who has paid the habitat fee. The deer hunting licenses issued shall be valid only for use on the farm unit for which the applicant applies pursuant to this paragraph, even if the license is subsequently transferred. The owner or the tenant need not reside on the farm unit to qualify for the free deer hunting licenses to hunt on that farm unit. The free deer hunting licenses issued pursuant to this paragraph shall be valid and may be used during any bow or firearm deer hunting season. The licenses may be used to harvest deer in two different seasons. In addition, a person who receives a free deer hunting license pursuant to this paragraph shall pay a one dollar fee for each license 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.
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 the transferability of free deer hunting licenses for use on farm units.
   Under current law, an owner of a farm unit, a tenant of the farm unit, or a family member of the owner or tenant, all of whom must be residents, may apply for up to two free deer hunting licenses, one antlered or any sex deer hunting license and one antlerless deer only deer hunting license. The licenses are valid only for use on the farm unit for which the applicant applied.
   The bill authorizes a person who received a free any sex deer hunting license for use on the farm unit to transfer the license, including by sale, to any person, including a nonresident, who has a valid hunting license and has paid the habitat fee. Even if a license is transferred to a person who is not an owner, tenant, or family member, the license is valid only for use on the farm unit for which the applicant applied.