HF 195 (LSB 1899YH (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 195

BY  JACOBY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the taking of black bears, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 481A.1, subsection 20, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   20.  “Fur-bearing animals” means the following, which are declared to be fur-bearing animals for the purpose of regulation and protection under the Code:  black bear, beaver, badger, mink, otter, muskrat, raccoon, skunk, opossum, spotted skunk or civet cat, weasel, coyote, bobcat, wolf, groundhog, red fox, and gray fox. This chapter does not apply to domesticated fur-bearing animals.
    Sec. 2.  Section 481A.130, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  For each black bear, elk, antelope, buffalo, or moose, two thousand five hundred dollars.
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 taking of black bears. The bill designates black bears as a fur-bearing animal. The natural resource commission may allow for the hunting or trapping of black bears upon the acquisition of a fur-harvester license and subject to limitations the commission imposes by rule.
   A person who unlawfully takes a black bear is subject to a scheduled fine dependent on the matter of the offense relating to an unlawful take or attempt to take. Additionally, a person who is convicted of unlawfully taking a black bear shall pay civil damages in the amount of $2,500. A black bear taken unlawfully is subject to seizure by the director of the department of natural resources.