House File 2340 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2340 BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE (SUCCESSOR TO HSB 588) A BILL FOR An Act relating to agriculture, including by providing for 1 the powers and duties of the department of agriculture and 2 land stewardship, including the promotion and regulation 3 of commodities and products; the regulation of the 4 transportation of agricultural commodities; the use of 5 agricultural land; and taxation, including property taxes, 6 excise and sales taxes, and income taxes; making penalties 7 applicable; and including effective date and applicability 8 provisions. 9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 10 TLSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js
H.F. 2340 DIVISION I 1 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP —— PROMOTION —— 2 RENEWABLE FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE 3 Section 1. Section 159A.16, subsection 3, paragraphs a, b, 4 and c, Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 5 a. For each fiscal year, not more than one million 6 seven hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be allocated to 7 support the renewable fuel infrastructure program for retail 8 motor fuel sites as provided in section 159A.14 to finance 9 the installation, replacement, or conversion of biodiesel 10 infrastructure as provided in that section. 11 b. a. For each fiscal year, not more than one hundred 12 fifty thousand dollars shall be allocated to the department to 13 support the administration of the programs. 14 c. b. For each fiscal year, the department may use up to 15 three-quarters of one percent of the program funds to market 16 the programs. Otherwise the moneys shall not be transferred, 17 used, obligated, appropriated, or otherwise encumbered except 18 to allocate as financial incentives under the programs. 19 DIVISION II 20 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP —— PROMOTION 21 PART A 22 GENERAL 23 Sec. 2. Section 23A.2, subsection 8, Code 2026, is amended 24 by adding the following new paragraph: 25 NEW PARAGRAPH . p. An activity carried out by the department 26 of agriculture and land stewardship to promote the marketing 27 of Iowa commodities and products, including as provided in 28 chapters 159 and 187. 29 Sec. 3. Section 187.201, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended 30 to read as follows: 31 3. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the department and 32 shall be used exclusively to administer the programs created 33 in this subchapter chapter as determined and directed by the 34 department, and shall not require further special authorization 35 -1- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 1/ 40
H.F. 2340 by the general assembly. 1 PART B 2 CHOOSE IOWA PROMOTION PROGRAMS 3 Sec. 4. Section 187.301, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 4 following new subsection: 5 NEW SUBSECTION . 1A. The department shall enroll a person as 6 a choose Iowa member who is any of the following: 7 a. Actively participating in the program by producing, 8 processing, or marketing Iowa agricultural products originating 9 as commodities produced on Iowa farms. 10 b. Otherwise supporting the program as required by the 11 department. 12 Sec. 5. Section 187.301, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 13 by adding the following new paragraph: 14 NEW PARAGRAPH . c. The department may adopt rules providing 15 for choose Iowa membership criteria. 16 Sec. 6. Section 187.303, subsections 1 and 2, Code 2026, are 17 amended to read as follows: 18 1. A person may apply to the department to participate 19 enroll as a member in the choose Iowa promotional program 20 according to procedures established by rules adopted by the 21 department. The department shall evaluate and approve or 22 disapprove applications an application based on criteria 23 established by rules adopted by the department. The department 24 may disapprove an application if the department determines the 25 applicant’s use of the choose Iowa logo would be associated 26 with the consumption of an adulterated or illegal food item. 27 2. The department may enter into a licensing agreement with 28 a person participating enrolled as a member in the program. 29 The participating person A member may use the choose Iowa logo 30 to advertise a food item product originating as an agricultural 31 commodity produced on an Iowa farm, subject to terms and 32 conditions required by rules adopted by the department. A 33 licensing agreement shall not be for more than one year. 34 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION . 187.307 Choose Iowa school purchasing 35 -2- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 2/ 40
H.F. 2340 program. 1 1. There is created within the department a choose Iowa 2 school purchasing program. 3 2. The department shall administer the program according to 4 all of the following: 5 a. A farm or business shall be eligible to participate in 6 the program if the farm or business is enrolled as a member of 7 the choose Iowa promotional program as provided in this part 1 8 of subchapter III. 9 b. A school or school district is eligible to participate in 10 the program, if recognized by the department. 11 c. A qualified food product is limited to meat and poultry, 12 dairy products other than milk, grains, flour, eggs, honey, and 13 produce. 14 3. a. An eligible school or school district purchasing 15 a qualified food product from an eligible farm or business 16 shall be reimbursed on a matching basis with the department 17 contributing one dollar for every one dollar expended by the 18 eligible school or school district. 19 b. The department may establish by rule the method and 20 limitations for determining the amount of funding available to 21 each school or school district under this section. 22 c. Notwithstanding paragraph “b ”, if the department 23 determines that there are not sufficient moneys to satisfy 24 all claims that may be submitted by schools and school 25 districts, the department shall provide for the distribution 26 of the available moneys in a manner determined equitable by 27 the department, which may include a prorated distribution to 28 participating schools and school districts. 29 4. The department may administer the program in cooperation 30 with the department of education and the participating school 31 or school district in which a participating school is located. 32 5. The department may use not more than five percent of the 33 moneys appropriated to support the program in a fiscal year to 34 pay for the costs of administering the program. 35 -3- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 3/ 40
H.F. 2340 6. The department shall prepare and submit a report 1 regarding its findings and recommendations to the governor and 2 general assembly not later than July 31 of each year. 3 Sec. 8. Section 187.331, Code 2026, is amended to read as 4 follows: 5 187.331 Choose Iowa food bank purchasing program. 6 1. There is created within the department a choose Iowa food 7 bank purchasing program. 8 2. The department shall administer the program according to 9 all of the following requirements : 10 a. A farm or business that owns or operates the farm source 11 shall be given a preference to participate in the program if 12 the farm or business is currently participating eligible to 13 participate in the program if the farm or business is enrolled 14 as a member in the choose Iowa promotional program as provided 15 in this part 1 of subchapter III. Otherwise, a farm or 16 business may participate in the program if the farm or business 17 has applied to participate in the choose Iowa promotional 18 program and the department determines that the application will 19 be approved. 20 b. An eligible participant is limited to any Iowa food bank 21 or an Iowa emergency feeding organization, recognized by the 22 department. 23 c. A qualified food product is limited to meat and poultry, 24 dairy products, grains, flour, eggs, honey, and produce. 25 3. a. Of the moneys appropriated to support the program in 26 a fiscal year, not more than two hundred thousand dollars shall 27 be used to reimburse Iowa food banks and Iowa emergency feeding 28 organizations. 29 b. 3. a. An eligible participant Iowa food bank or an 30 emergency feeding organization purchasing a qualified food 31 product from an eligible farm or business shall be reimbursed 32 on a matching basis with the department contributing one dollar 33 for every one dollar expended by the eligible participant Iowa 34 food bank or emergency feeding organization . 35 -4- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 4/ 40
H.F. 2340 c. b. An Iowa food bank or Iowa emergency feeding 1 organization shall not receive more than fifty thousand dollars 2 per fiscal year for participating in the program. 3 4. c. The department may use not more than five percent of 4 the moneys appropriated to support the program in a fiscal year 5 to pay for the costs of administering the program. 6 5. 4. The department shall prepare and submit a report 7 regarding its findings and recommendations to the governor and 8 general assembly not later than January 15 July 31 of each 9 year. 10 6. This section is repealed July 1, 2030. 11 Sec. 9. Section 190A.2, subsections 5 and 9, Code 2026, are 12 amended by striking the subsections. 13 Sec. 10. Section 190A.2, subsection 7, Code 2026, is amended 14 to read as follows: 15 7. “Program” means the farm-to-school program created in 16 section 190A.6 190A.3 . 17 Sec. 11. Section 190A.3, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 18 to read as follows: 19 1. The A farm-to-school program is created within the 20 department. The program shall seek to link elementary and 21 secondary public and nonpublic schools in this state with Iowa 22 farms to provide schools with fresh and minimally processed 23 food products for inclusion in school meals and snacks, 24 encourage children to develop healthy eating habits, and 25 provide Iowa farmers access to consumer markets. 26 Sec. 12. Section 190A.5, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended 27 to read as follows: 28 3. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to support 29 the farm-to-school program in a manner determined by the 30 department, including for reasonable administrative costs 31 incurred by the department. However, the department shall 32 not expend more than four percent of moneys existing at any 33 one time in the fund during each fiscal year for purpose of 34 paying costs associated with the administration of the program 35 -5- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 5/ 40
H.F. 2340 and fund incurred by the department during that fiscal year. 1 Moneys expended from the fund shall not require further special 2 authorization by the general assembly. 3 Sec. 13. REPEAL. Section 190A.6, Code 2026, is repealed. 4 Sec. 14. CODE EDITOR DIRECTIVE. 5 1. The Code editor is directed to make the following 6 transfers: 7 a. Section 187.331 to section 187.308. 8 b. Section 159.25 to section 187.309. 9 2. The Code editor shall correct internal references in the 10 Code and in any enacted legislation as necessary due to the 11 enactment of this section. 12 PART C 13 INNOVATION AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAMS 14 Sec. 15. Section 187.311, Code 2026, is amended by adding 15 the following new subsection: 16 NEW SUBSECTION . 5A. The department may give priority to an 17 applicant who is a beginning farmer. 18 Sec. 16. NEW SECTION . 187.315 Butchery innovation and 19 revitalization program. 20 1. A butchery innovation and revitalization program is 21 created within the department. The purpose of the program is 22 to promote the development, modernization, and expansion of 23 this state’s butchery industry. 24 2. In administering the program, the department shall award 25 financial assistance to eligible businesses to support projects 26 that do one or more of the following: 27 a. To expand or refurbish an existing, or to establish a 28 new, state-inspected small-scale meat processing business. 29 b. To expand or refurbish an existing, or to establish a 30 new, federally inspected small-scale meat processing business. 31 c. To expand or refurbish an existing, or to establish a 32 new, licensed custom locker. 33 d. To expand or refurbish an existing, or to establish a 34 new, mobile slaughter unit that operates in compliance with 35 -6- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 6/ 40
H.F. 2340 the most current mobile slaughter unit compliance guide issued 1 by the United States department of agriculture food safety and 2 inspection service. 3 e. To rent buildings, refrigeration facilities, freezer 4 facilities, or equipment necessary to expand processing 5 capacity, including mobile slaughter or refrigeration units 6 used exclusively for meat or poultry processing. 7 3. The department shall establish eligibility criteria for 8 the program. The eligibility criteria must include all of the 9 following: 10 a. The business must be located in this state. 11 b. The business must not have been subject to any regulatory 12 enforcement action related to federal, state, or local 13 environmental, worker safety, food processing, or food safety 14 laws, rules, or regulations within the last five years. 15 c. The business must only employ individuals legally 16 authorized to work in this state. 17 d. The business must not currently be in bankruptcy. 18 e. The business must employ less than two hundred full-time 19 nonseasonal individuals. 20 4. An eligible business seeking financial assistance under 21 this section shall make application to the department in the 22 manner and on forms prescribed by the department. 23 5. Applications for financial assistance under this section 24 shall be accepted during one or more annual application periods 25 established by the department. Upon reviewing and scoring all 26 applications that are received during an application period, 27 and subject to the availability of moneys, the department may 28 award financial assistance to eligible businesses. A financial 29 assistance award shall not exceed the amount of eligible 30 project costs included in the eligible business’s application. 31 Priority shall be given to eligible businesses whose proposed 32 project or projects under subsection 2 are most likely to do 33 one or more of the following: 34 a. Create new jobs. 35 -7- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 7/ 40
H.F. 2340 b. Create or expand opportunities for local small-scale 1 farmers to market processed meat under private labels. 2 c. Provide greater flexibility or convenience for local 3 small-scale farmers to have animals processed. 4 6. An eligible business that is awarded financial 5 assistance under this section may apply for financial 6 assistance under other programs administered by the department. 7 Sec. 17. REPEAL. Section 15E.370, Code 2026, is repealed. 8 DIVISION III 9 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP REGULATION —— 10 ANIMAL HEALTH 11 Sec. 18. Section 163.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 12 following new subsection: 13 NEW SUBSECTION . 7A. Lease facilities in order to carry out 14 and administer the provisions of this chapter related to an 15 infectious or contagious disease or a foreign animal disease 16 preparedness and response effort. 17 Sec. 19. NEW SECTION . 163.2B Confidentiality. 18 1. Notwithstanding section 22.7, all information and 19 records relating to an infectious or contagious disease 20 received or collected by the department pursuant to this 21 chapter, including rules adopted under this chapter by the 22 department, is confidential to the extent it identifies any of 23 the following: 24 a. The name, address, and contact information of any person 25 owning or caring for an animal suspected of or being affected 26 with any infectious or contagious disease. 27 b. Any location where an animal suspected of or being 28 affected with any infectious or contagious disease has been 29 kept. 30 c. Information that when considered together leads to the 31 identity of a person described in paragraph “a” or a location or 32 premises described in paragraph “b” . 33 2. Notwithstanding subsection 1, the department, in 34 acting as the lawful custodian of the confidential record, may 35 -8- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 8/ 40
H.F. 2340 disclose the record or any part of the record if it is deemed 1 necessary by the state veterinarian to protect the public 2 health or the health or well-being of animals within the state. 3 DIVISION IV 4 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP —— REGULATION 5 —— WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 6 Sec. 20. Section 210.1, Code 2026, is amended to read as 7 follows: 8 210.1 Standard established Weights and measures standards —— 9 compliance with federal law . 10 The weights and measures which have been presented by the 11 department to the United States national institute of standards 12 and technology and approved, standardized, and certified by 13 the institute in accordance with the laws of the Congress of 14 the United States shall be the standard weights and measures 15 throughout the state regulated under this chapter shall conform 16 with Iowa’s state primary standard of weights and measures as 17 described in section 215.1B . 18 Sec. 21. Section 213.1, Code 2026, is amended to read as 19 follows: 20 213.1 State metrologist. 21 The department secretary of agriculture may designate 22 one of its assistants the bureau chief of the department’s 23 weights and measures bureau to act as state metrologist 24 of weights and measures. All weights and measures sealed 25 by the state metrologist shall be impressed with the word 26 “Iowa.” The bureau chief is the appropriate state official 27 responsible for cooperating with the national institute of 28 standards and technology as defined in section 215.1 and in the 29 administration of weights and measures as regulated in this 30 subtitle. 31 Sec. 22. Section 213.2, Code 2026, is amended to read as 32 follows: 33 213.2 Physical United States standards —— conformity . 34 Weights and measures , which conform to the standards of the 35 -9- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 9/ 40
H.F. 2340 United States national institute of standards and technology 1 existing as of January 1, 1979, that are metrologically 2 traceable to the United States standards supplied by the 3 federal government or approved as being in compliance with 4 its standards recognized by the national bureau institute of 5 standards and technology shall be the Iowa’s state primary 6 standard of weights and measures as verified by the department . 7 Such The traceable standards of weights and measures shall 8 be verified upon their initial receipt of same by the 9 department and as often as deemed necessary by the secretary 10 of agriculture department . The secretary department may 11 provide for the alteration in revise the state primary standard 12 of weights and measures in order to maintain metrological 13 traceability with the standard standards of the United States 14 national institute of standards and technology. All such 15 alterations The verification or revision shall be made pursuant 16 to rules promulgated adopted by the secretary department in 17 accordance with chapter 17A . 18 Sec. 23. Section 214.3, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 19 to read as follows: 20 1. A license fee is imposed on a person who uses or 21 displays for use a commercial weighing and measuring device. 22 The license fee is due the day the department issues the 23 license. The amount of the license fee shall be calculated in 24 accordance with the class or section for devices as established 25 by handbook 44 of the United States national institute of 26 standards and technology. 27 Sec. 24. Section 215.1, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 28 to read as follows: 29 1. a. “Commercial weighing and measuring device” or “device” 30 means a weight or measure or weighing or measuring device 31 used to establish size, quantity, area or other quantitative 32 measurement of a commodity sold by weight or measurement, or 33 where when the price to be paid for producing the commodity is 34 based upon the weight or measurement of the commodity. The 35 -10- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 10/ 40
H.F. 2340 term 1 b. “Commercial weighing and measuring device” includes an any 2 of the following: 3 (1) An accessory attached to or used in connection with 4 a commercial weighing or measuring device when the accessory 5 is so designed or installed that its operation may affect the 6 accuracy of the device. “Commercial weighing and measuring 7 device” includes a 8 (2) A public scale or a commercial scanner. 9 Sec. 25. Section 215.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 10 following new subsection: 11 NEW SUBSECTION . 3A. “National institute of standards and 12 technology” means the national institute of standards and 13 technology established within the United States department of 14 commerce pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §272. 15 Sec. 26. Section 215.1A, Code 2026, is amended to read as 16 follows: 17 215.1A Inspections. 18 1. The Except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, 19 the department shall regularly of agriculture and land 20 stewardship may inspect all any commercial weighing and 21 measuring devices, and when device. If the department 22 receives a complaint is made to the department that any false 23 or incorrect alleging weights or measures are being made 24 inaccurately recorded by a device , the department shall inspect 25 the commercial weighing and measuring devices which caused the 26 complaint device . 27 2. The department may inspect a prepackaged goods good to 28 determine the accuracy of their its recorded weights weight . 29 3. a. The department may order the owner of the device 30 or a service agency that installed, serviced, or repaired the 31 device, to deliver to the department one or more of the service 32 agency’s most recent test reports documenting the device’s 33 accuracy. 34 b. (1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), the delivery 35 -11- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 11/ 40
H.F. 2340 of a report may be in lieu of an inspection. 1 (2) The department shall provide for an inspection of any 2 of the following: 3 (a) A motor fuel pump as required in section 214.11. 4 (b) A moisture-measuring device as required in section 5 215A.2. 6 (c) A charging station dispensing electric fuel as required 7 in section 452A.41. 8 Sec. 27. Section 215.14, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended 9 to read as follows: 10 3. Before approval by the department, the specifications 11 for a commercial weighing and measuring device shall be 12 furnished to the purchaser of the device by the manufacturer. 13 The approval shall be based upon the recommendation of the 14 United States national institute of standards and technology. 15 Sec. 28. Section 215.19, Code 2026, is amended to read as 16 follows: 17 215.19 Automatic recorders on scales. 18 Except for scales a scale used by packers a packer 19 slaughtering fewer than one hundred twenty head of livestock 20 per day, all scales a scale with a capacity over five hundred 21 pounds, which are used for commercial purposes , in this 22 state, and installed after January 1, 1981, shall be equipped 23 with a type-registering weigh beam, a dial with a mechanical 24 ticket printer, an automatic weight recorder, or some similar 25 commercial weighing and measuring device , which shall be used 26 for printing or stamping the weight values on scale tickets. 27 A scale or similar device equipped with a malfunctioning 28 automatic weight recorder may shall not be used for not more 29 than seven days if the scale or similar device is unable to 30 print or stamp the ticket so long as and only if a repair to the 31 automatic recorder is immediately initiated and the user dates, 32 signs, and accurately handwrites the required information on 33 the ticket until the scale or similar device is operational. 34 Sec. 29. Section 215.23, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 35 -12- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 12/ 40
H.F. 2340 to read as follows: 1 2. In determining a servicer’s qualifications, the 2 department may consider the specifications of the United States 3 national institute of standards and technology, handbook 44, 4 “Specifications, Tolerances, and Technical Requirements for 5 Weighing and Measuring Devices”, or the current successor or 6 equivalent specifications adopted by the United States national 7 institute of standards and technology. 8 Sec. 30. Section 452A.40, Code 2026, is amended by adding 9 the following new subsection: 10 NEW SUBSECTION . 5A. “National institute of standards and 11 technology” means the same as defined in section 215.1. 12 Sec. 31. REPEAL. Sections 213.3 and 213.7, Code 2026, are 13 repealed. 14 Sec. 32. CODE EDITOR DIRECTIVE. 15 1. The Code editor is directed to make the following 16 transfers: 17 a. Section 213.1 to section 215.1B. 18 b. Section 213.2 to section 215.1C. 19 c. Section 215.18 to section 215.1D. 20 d. Section 215.1A to section 215.1E. 21 2. The Code editor shall correct internal references in the 22 Code and in any enacted legislation as necessary due to the 23 enactment of this section. 24 DIVISION V 25 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP REGULATION —— 26 GRAIN MARKETING 27 PART A 28 GRAIN DEALERS 29 Sec. 33. Section 203.3, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code 30 2026, is amended to read as follows: 31 b. (1) The grain dealer shall submit to the department , 32 as required by the department, a financial statement that is 33 accompanied by an unqualified opinion based upon an audit 34 performed by a certified public accountant licensed in this 35 -13- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 13/ 40
H.F. 2340 state. 1 (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), if a grain dealer 2 does not purchase grain by credit-sale contract, the department 3 may accept any of the following: 4 (a) A qualification in an opinion based on an audit that 5 is unavoidable by any audit procedure that is permitted under 6 generally accepted accounting principles. An opinion that 7 is qualified because of a limited audit procedure or because 8 the scope of an audit is limited shall not be accepted by the 9 department. 10 (b) A financial statement that is accompanied by the 11 report of a certified public accountant licensed in this 12 state. The report must be based upon a review performed by the 13 certified public accountant. The report shall be in lieu of an 14 unqualified opinion based on an audit. However, at any time, 15 upon good cause, the department may require the grain dealer to 16 submit to the department a subsequent financial statement that 17 is accompanied by the report. 18 (3) The department shall not require that a grain dealer to 19 submit to the department more than one such unqualified opinion 20 based on an audit per year. 21 (4) A grain dealer shall submit one or more financial 22 statements to the department in addition to the financial 23 statement accompanied by an unqualified opinion based on 24 an audit as required in this paragraph if the department 25 determines that it is necessary to verify the grain dealer’s 26 financial status or compliance with this section . 27 Sec. 34. Section 203.3, subsection 5, paragraph b, Code 28 2026, is amended to read as follows: 29 b. (1) The grain dealer shall submit to the department , 30 as required by the department, a financial statement that is 31 accompanied by an unqualified opinion based upon an audit 32 performed by a certified public accountant licensed in this 33 state. 34 (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), the department may 35 -14- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 14/ 40
H.F. 2340 accept any of the following: 1 (a) A qualification in an opinion based on an audit that 2 is unavoidable by any audit procedure that is permitted under 3 generally accepted accounting principles. An opinion that 4 is qualified because of a limited audit procedure or because 5 the scope of an audit is limited shall not be accepted by the 6 department. 7 (b) A financial statement that is accompanied by the 8 report of a certified public accountant licensed in this 9 state. The report must be based upon a review performed by the 10 certified public accountant. The report shall be in lieu of an 11 unqualified opinion based on an audit. However, at any time, 12 upon good cause, the department may require the grain dealer to 13 submit to the department a subsequent financial statement that 14 is accompanied by the report. 15 (3) The department shall not require that a grain dealer to 16 submit to the department more than one such unqualified opinion 17 based on an audit per year. 18 (4) A grain dealer shall submit one or more financial 19 statements to the department in addition to the financial 20 statement accompanied by an unqualified opinion based on an 21 audit required in this paragraph if the department determines 22 that it is necessary to verify the grain dealer’s financial 23 status or compliance with this section . 24 Sec. 35. Section 203.8, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 25 2026, is amended to read as follows: 26 a. (1) “Delivery” Subject to subparagraph (2), “delivery” 27 means the transfer of title to and possession of grain by a 28 seller to a grain dealer or to another person in accordance 29 with the terms of an agreement of by the seller and the grain 30 dealer. 31 (2) Unless title to grain was previously transferred 32 pursuant to an ordinary cash-sale contract, title to grain sold 33 by credit-sale contract is deemed to have transferred to the 34 grain dealer when all of the following occurs: 35 -15- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 15/ 40
H.F. 2340 (a) The credit-sale contract is signed by both the grain 1 dealer and the seller. 2 (b) The grain dealer has possession of the grain or another 3 person has possession of the grain in accordance with the terms 4 of the credit-sale contract. 5 Sec. 36. Section 203.12, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended 6 to read as follows: 7 1. Upon the cessation of a grain dealer license by 8 revocation, cancellation, or expiration pursuant to section 9 203.10 or upon the filing of a petition in bankruptcy by a 10 grain dealer , any claim for the purchase price of grain against 11 the grain dealer shall be made in writing and filed with the 12 grain dealer and with the issuer of a deficiency bond or of an 13 irrevocable letter of credit and with the department within 14 one hundred twenty days after the date of the cessation or the 15 filing of a petition in bankruptcy, whichever occurs earlier . 16 A failure to make this timely claim relieves the issuer and the 17 grain depositors and sellers indemnity fund provided in chapter 18 203D of all obligations to the claimant. 19 Sec. 37. Section 203.12A, subsection 5, Code 2026, is 20 amended to read as follows: 21 5. The Iowa grain indemnity fund board, upon written demand 22 of the grain dealer, shall file a termination statement with 23 the secretary of state, if after one hundred eighty days from 24 the date that the lien is perfected the grain dealer’s license 25 has not ceased by revocation, cancellation, or expiration 26 pursuant to section 203C.10 . Upon filing the termination 27 statement, the lien becomes unperfected. The board shall 28 also deliver a copy of the termination statement to the grain 29 dealer. 30 PART B 31 GRAIN OPERATORS 32 Sec. 38. Section 203C.6, subsection 4, paragraph b, Code 33 2026, is amended to read as follows: 34 b. (1) The warehouse operator shall submit to the 35 -16- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 16/ 40
H.F. 2340 department , as required by the department, a financial 1 statement that is accompanied by an unqualified opinion based 2 upon an audit performed by a certified public accountant 3 licensed in this state. 4 (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), the department may 5 accept any of the following: 6 (a) A qualification in an opinion based on an audit that 7 is unavoidable by any audit procedure that is permitted under 8 generally accepted accounting principles. An opinion that 9 is qualified because of a limited audit procedure or because 10 the scope of an audit is limited shall not be accepted by the 11 department. 12 (b) A financial statement that is accompanied by the 13 report of a certified public accountant licensed in this 14 state. The report must be based upon a review performed by 15 the certified public accountant. The report shall be in lieu 16 of an unqualified opinion based on an audit. However, at any 17 time, upon good cause, the department may require the warehouse 18 operator to submit to the department a subsequent financial 19 statement that is accompanied by the report. 20 (3) The department shall not require that a warehouse 21 operator to submit to the department more than one such 22 unqualified opinion based on an audit per year. 23 (4) A warehouse operator shall submit one or more financial 24 statements to the department in addition to the financial 25 statement accompanied by an unqualified opinion based on 26 an audit as required in this paragraph if the department 27 determines that it is necessary to verify the warehouse 28 operator’s financial status or compliance with this section . 29 Sec. 39. Section 203C.6, subsection 5, paragraph b, Code 30 2026, is amended to read as follows: 31 b. (1) The warehouse operator shall submit to the 32 department , as required by the department, a financial 33 statement that is accompanied by an unqualified opinion based 34 upon an audit performed by a certified public accountant 35 -17- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 17/ 40
H.F. 2340 licensed in this state. 1 (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), the department may 2 accept any of the following: 3 (a) A qualification in an opinion based on an audit that 4 is unavoidable by any audit procedure that is permitted under 5 generally accepted accounting principles. An opinion that 6 is qualified because of a limited audit procedure or because 7 the scope of an audit is limited shall not be accepted by the 8 department. 9 (b) A financial statement that is accompanied by the 10 report of a certified public accountant licensed in this 11 state. The report must be based upon a review performed by 12 the certified public accountant. The report shall be in lieu 13 of an unqualified opinion based on an audit. However, at any 14 time, upon good cause, the department may require the warehouse 15 operator to submit to the department a subsequent financial 16 statement that is accompanied by the report. 17 (3) The department shall not require that a warehouse 18 operator to submit more than one such unqualified opinion based 19 on an audit per year. 20 (4) A warehouse operator shall submit one or more financial 21 statements to the department in addition to the financial 22 statement accompanied by an unqualified opinion based on 23 an audit as required in this paragraph if the department 24 determines that it is necessary to verify the warehouse 25 operator’s financial status or compliance with this section . 26 Sec. 40. Section 203C.12A, subsection 5, Code 2026, is 27 amended to read as follows: 28 5. The Iowa grain indemnity fund board shall upon written 29 demand of the warehouse operator file a termination statement 30 with the secretary of state, if after one hundred eighty 31 days from the date that the lien is perfected the warehouse 32 operator’s license has not ceased by revocation, cancellation, 33 or expiration pursuant to section 203C.10 . Upon filing the 34 termination statement, the lien becomes unperfected. The board 35 -18- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 18/ 40
H.F. 2340 shall also deliver a copy of the termination statement to the 1 warehouse operator. 2 Sec. 41. Section 203C.14, subsection 2, paragraphs a and c, 3 Code 2026, are amended to read as follows: 4 a. Upon the cessation of a warehouse operator’s license due 5 to revocation, cancellation, or expiration pursuant to section 6 203C.10 or upon the filing of a petition in bankruptcy by a 7 warehouse operator , a claim against the warehouse operator 8 arising under this chapter shall be made in writing with the 9 warehouse operator, with the issuer of a bond on agricultural 10 products other than bulk grain, a deficiency bond, or an 11 irrevocable letter of credit, and, if the claim relates to bulk 12 grain, with the department. The claim must be made within one 13 hundred twenty days after the cessation of the license or the 14 filing of a petition in bankruptcy, whichever occurs earlier . 15 The failure to make a timely claim relieves the issuer and, 16 if the claim relates to bulk grain, the grain depositors 17 and sellers indemnity fund provided in chapter 203D of all 18 obligations to the claimant. 19 c. This subsection does not apply if a receiver is appointed 20 as provided in this chapter pursuant to a petition which that 21 is filed by the department prior to the expiration of one 22 hundred twenty days after cessation of a warehouse operator’s 23 license pursuant to section 203C.10 . 24 Sec. 42. Section 203C.18, subsection 3, Code 2026, is 25 amended to read as follows: 26 3. A form for a warehouse receipt shall only be printed by 27 a person approved by the department. A form for a warehouse 28 receipt shall be printed in accordance with specifications set 29 forth by the department. A warehouse operator shall surrender 30 to the department all forms for warehouse receipts that are 31 unused at the time that the warehouse operator’s license 32 is suspended or ceases due to revocation, cancellation, or 33 expiration pursuant to section 203C.10 . The warehouse operator 34 shall surrender the warehouse receipts in a manner required by 35 -19- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 19/ 40
H.F. 2340 the department. 1 PART C 2 GRAIN DEPOSITORS AND SELLERS INDEMNIFICATION 3 Sec. 43. Section 203D.3A, subsection 2, Code 2026, is 4 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 5 NEW PARAGRAPH . e. (1) If the per-bushel fee is passed 6 on to a seller, the per-bushel fee shall occur at the time of 7 payment. 8 (2) As used in subparagraph (1), “payment” means the same as 9 defined in section 203.8. 10 Sec. 44. Section 203D.6, subsection 8, paragraph a, Code 11 2026, is amended to read as follows: 12 a. Upon a determination by the board that an eligible 13 claim satisfies the requirements in subsection 4 , the board 14 shall indemnify the claimant as a depositor under subsection 15 5 , and a seller under subsection 6 . Upon a determination by 16 the board that an eligible repayment claim was filed by that 17 seller under section 203D.6A , derives from the same covered 18 transaction during the claim period, and the repayment loss 19 incurred for that claim, the board shall indemnify the claimant 20 as a seller subject to the requirements of this section and 21 section 203D.6A . 22 Sec. 45. Section 203D.6A, subsection 2, Code 2026, is 23 amended to read as follows: 24 2. To be timely, a seller must file a repayment claim with 25 the department not later than sixty days after the amount 26 of the seller’s loss is finalized by a bankruptcy court, 27 whether by an order issued, judgment entered, or settlement 28 agreement approved. However, if a seller’s loss is based upon 29 a bankruptcy court’s default judgment, to be timely, the seller 30 must file a repayment claim with the department not later than 31 sixty days after the bankruptcy court’s default judgment is 32 entered or a subsequent settlement agreement is approved and 33 entered, whichever is later. 34 DIVISION VI 35 -20- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 20/ 40
H.F. 2340 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATION —— MOTOR VEHICLES 1 PART A 2 MILK HAULERS 3 Sec. 46. Section 321E.29B, subsection 1, Code 2026, is 4 amended to read as follows: 5 1. Notwithstanding section 321E.8 , the department 6 permit-issuing authority may issue annual permits for the 7 operation of vehicles or combinations of vehicles transporting 8 fluid milk products to or from a milk plant, receiving 9 station, or transfer station, exceeding the weight limitation 10 of section 321.463 but not exceeding a gross weight of 11 ninety-six one hundred thirty-six thousand pounds , on primary 12 roads and primary road extensions in cities . The department 13 shall establish rules regarding minimum distances for axle 14 configurations. 15 Sec. 47. EFFECTIVE DATE. This part of this division of this 16 Act takes effect January 1, 2027. 17 PART B 18 IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY 19 Sec. 48. Section 321.457, subsection 2, paragraph f, Code 20 2026, is amended to read as follows: 21 f. (1) A trailer or semitrailer, laden or unladen, shall 22 not have an overall length in excess of fifty-three feet 23 when operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination 24 exclusive of retractable extensions used to support the load. 25 However, when a trailer or semitrailer is used exclusively 26 for the transportation of passenger vehicles, light delivery 27 trucks, panel delivery trucks, pickup trucks, recreational 28 vehicle chassis, or boats, the load carried on the trailer or 29 semitrailer may extend up to three feet beyond the front bumper 30 and up to four feet beyond the rear bumper of the trailer or 31 semitrailer. 32 (2) A lowboy semitrailer, laden or unladen, which that is 33 designed and exclusively used for the transportation of either 34 construction equipment or an implement of husbandry shall not 35 -21- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 21/ 40
H.F. 2340 have an overall length in excess of fifty-seven feet when used 1 in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination. 2 DIVISION VII 3 AGRICULTURAL TOURISM 4 Sec. 49. Section 673A.3, subsection 6, paragraph b, Code 5 2026, is amended to read as follows: 6 b. “Farm” includes but is not limited to a farm field, 7 orchard, tree farm, nursery, greenhouse, garden, elevator, 8 seedhouse, barn, warehouse, animal feeding operation structure, 9 winery, brewery, distillery, or any personal property located 10 on the land including machinery or equipment used in the 11 production of a farm commodity. 12 Sec. 50. Section 673A.3, subsection 9, Code 2026, is amended 13 to read as follows: 14 9. “Farm crop” means a plant or fungus used for food, animal 15 feed, fiber, or oil, energy, or decoration, including any of 16 the following: 17 a. A forage or cereal plant, including but not limited to 18 alfalfa, barley, buckwheat, corn, flax, forage, millet, oats, 19 popcorn, rye, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, wheat, and grasses 20 used for forage or silage. 21 b. Edible or ornamental produce, including but not limited 22 to fruit such as apples, cherries, peaches, pears, berries, and 23 grapes; vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, and carrots; 24 lentils; tubers; squashes and pumpkins; gourds; nuts; maple 25 syrup; mushrooms; Christmas trees; and flowers. 26 c. Lumber, logs, pulpwood, and cordwood. 27 d. Honey. 28 DIVISION VIII 29 LAND USE 30 Sec. 51. Section 335.2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 31 following new subsection: 32 NEW SUBSECTION . 4. As used in subsection 1, an agricultural 33 purpose includes but is not limited to an agricultural tourism 34 activity or event, value-added agricultural processing, 35 -22- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 22/ 40
H.F. 2340 direct-to-consumer marketing, or other farm-based enterprise 1 that supports the economic viability of a farm. 2 Sec. 52. Section 335.28, Code 2026, is amended to read as 3 follows: 4 335.28 Agricultural experiences experience . 5 1. a. For purposes of this section , “agricultural 6 experience” includes but is not limited to any 7 agriculture-related activity , or agriculture-related 8 event , as a that constitutes a secondary use in conjunction 9 with agricultural production, on a farm which if the 10 agriculture-related activity , or agriculture-related event, 11 is located on a farm and open to the public with for the 12 intended purpose of promoting or educating the public about 13 agriculture, agricultural practices, agricultural activities, 14 or agricultural products. 15 b. “Agricultural experience” also includes agricultural 16 tourism activities and events, such as recreational, 17 entertainment, dining, celebratory, and overnight lodging 18 opportunities offered on a working farm, so long as the farm’s 19 primary use remains agricultural production. 20 2. To assist in the promotion of agricultural experiences, 21 a county shall not require a conditional use permit, special 22 use permit, special exception, or variance for an agricultural 23 experiences experience on property of which the primary use is 24 agricultural production. 25 Sec. 53. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act, being 26 deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment. 27 Sec. 54. APPLICABILITY. Any conditional use permit, 28 special use permit, special exception, or variance described 29 in section 335.28, as amended by this division of this Act, is 30 void and unenforceable. 31 DIVISION IX 32 PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION —— QUALIFIED ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS 33 Sec. 55. Section 427A.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 34 following new subsection: 35 -23- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 23/ 40
H.F. 2340 NEW SUBSECTION . 6A. Notwithstanding the other provisions 1 of this section, an aboveground storage tank with a capacity 2 of ninety-one thousand gallons or less, no matter the use or 3 intended use on the subject property, shall not be assessed and 4 taxed as real property. 5 Sec. 56. IMPLEMENTATION. Section 25B.7 shall not apply to 6 this division of this Act. 7 Sec. 57. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act, being 8 deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment. 9 Sec. 58. RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY. This division of this 10 Act applies retroactively to assessment years beginning on or 11 after January 1, 2026. 12 DIVISION X 13 EXCISE TAX ELIMINATION —— GRAIN HANDLING 14 Sec. 59. Section 445.3, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended 15 to read as follows: 16 2. a. The commencement of actions for ad valorem taxes 17 authorized under this section shall not begin until the 18 issuance of a tax sale certificate under the requirements of 19 section 446.19 . The commencement of actions for all other 20 taxes authorized under this section shall not begin until ten 21 days after the publication of tax sale under the requirements 22 of section 446.9, subsection 2 . This subsection 23 b. Paragraph “a” does not apply to the collection of ad 24 valorem taxes under section 445.32 , and grain handling taxes 25 under section 428.35 . 26 Sec. 60. REPEAL. Section 428.35, Code 2026, is repealed. 27 Sec. 61. IMPLEMENTATION. Section 25B.7 shall not apply to 28 the property tax exemption enacted in this Act. 29 Sec. 62. APPLICABILITY. This division of this Act applies 30 to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. 31 DIVISION XI 32 SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION —— HONEYBEES 33 Sec. 63. Section 423.3, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 34 following new subsection: 35 -24- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 24/ 40
H.F. 2340 NEW SUBSECTION . 111. The sales price of honeybees. 1 DIVISION XII 2 INCOME TAX EXEMPTIONS 3 PART A 4 FARM TENANCIES 5 Sec. 64. Section 422.7, subsection 14, paragraph e, Code 6 2026, is amended by striking the paragraph and inserting in 7 lieu thereof the following: 8 e. Net income from a farm tenancy agreement earned, 9 received, or reported by an entity taxed as a disregarded 10 entity, partnership for federal tax purposes, an S corporation, 11 a trust, or estate is eligible for the election and deduction 12 in this subsection for the portion of net income derived from 13 a farm tenancy agreement if the eligible individual receives 14 or is entitled to receive the portion of net income through 15 distributions from an entity taxed as a disregarded entity, 16 a partnership, an S corporation, a trust, or an estate, to 17 the same extent that an eligible individual could subtract 18 net income received directly from the farm tenant rather than 19 passing to the eligible individual through an entity taxed 20 as a disregarded entity, a partnership, an S corporation, a 21 trust, or an estate. For purposes of this paragraph, net 22 income accruing to a grantor trust or to a business entity 23 that is a disregarded entity shall be deemed to have been 24 distributed to its sole owner to the extent the sole owner of 25 such disregarded entity or trust has the right to withdraw or 26 compel distribution of such net income. 27 Sec. 65. EFFECTIVE DATE. This part of this division of this 28 Act takes effect January 1, 2027. 29 Sec. 66. APPLICABILITY. This part of this division of this 30 Act applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. 31 PART B 32 VETERINARY PRACTICE 33 Sec. 67. Section 422.7, Code 2026, is amended by adding the 34 following new subsection: 35 -25- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 25/ 40
H.F. 2340 NEW SUBSECTION . 46. a. (1) Subtract, to the extent 1 included, loan repayments received under a program agreement 2 entered into by a taxpayer who is a loan repayment recipient 3 and the Iowa college student aid commission pursuant to section 4 256.226, if the taxpayer fulfills the obligation to engage in 5 the practice of veterinary medicine according to terms of that 6 section and the program agreement. 7 (2) The amount subtracted in subparagraph (1) shall not 8 exceed the following limits: 9 (a) For any tax year, fifteen thousand dollars. 10 (b) For the aggregate of all tax years, sixty thousand 11 dollars. 12 (c) In any case, the amount of the outstanding eligible 13 loan. 14 b. (1) Subtract, to the extent included, loan repayments 15 received on an eligible loan under an agreement between a 16 taxpayer and a nongovernmental entity. If the taxpayer meets 17 the eligibility requirements of section 256.226 and fulfills 18 the obligation to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine 19 according to the terms of that section and the agreement. 20 (2) The amount subtracted in subparagraph (1) shall not 21 exceed the following limits: 22 (a) For any tax year, fifteen thousand dollars. 23 (b) For the aggregate of all tax years, sixty thousand 24 dollars. 25 (c) In any case, the amount of the outstanding eligible 26 loan. 27 c. (1) Subtract, to the extent included, loan repayments 28 and related tax liability payments received by a taxpayer 29 pursuant to the federal veterinary medicine loan repayment 30 program authorized by 7 U.S.C. §3151a and administered by the 31 United States department of agriculture, national institute of 32 food and agriculture. 33 (2) The amount subtracted in subparagraph (1) shall not 34 exceed the amount of the loan and related tax liability 35 -26- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 26/ 40
H.F. 2340 payments or fifty-five thousand six hundred dollars per year, 1 whichever is less. 2 EXPLANATION 3 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 4 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 5 GENERAL. This bill amends a number of Code chapters 6 relating to agriculture, including providing for the powers and 7 duties of the department of agriculture and land stewardship 8 (DALS). The bill provides for the promotion and regulation 9 of commodities and regulation by DALS, including fees, and 10 the transportation of agricultural items by the department 11 of transportation (DOT). The bill provides for the use of 12 agricultural land, including agricultural tourism. The bill 13 also provides for taxation, including property taxes, the 14 excise tax, the sales and use tax, and income tax. 15 DIVISION I —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP 16 —— PROMOTION —— RENEWABLE FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE —— BACKGROUND. 17 Code chapter 159A, subchapter II, authorizes DALS to administer 18 a renewable fuel infrastructure program for retail motor fuel 19 sites (Code section 159.14) and a renewable fuel infrastructure 20 program for biodiesel terminal facilities (Code section 21 159A.15). The purpose of the program is to finance the 22 improvement of facilities used to store, blend, or dispense 23 renewable fuels, commonly derived from corn or soybeans. The 24 programs are supported by the renewable fuel infrastructure 25 fund (Code section 159A.16), which is appropriated $5 million 26 each fiscal year (Code section 159.17). 27 DIVISION I —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP 28 —— PROMOTION —— RENEWABLE FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE —— BILL’S 29 PROVISIONS. This division increases the amount of moneys 30 appropriated from the renewable fuel infrastructure fund each 31 fiscal year for administrative costs incurred by DALS from 32 $100,000 to $150,000. 33 DIVISION II —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND 34 STEWARDSHIP —— PROMOTION —— BACKGROUND. Code chapter 189 35 -27- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 27/ 40
H.F. 2340 authorizes DALS to administer a number of programs providing 1 for the promotion of agriculture in this state. The Code 2 chapter provides for the financing of the programs, including 3 the creation of a choose Iowa fund (Code section 187.201). The 4 Code chapter provides for a choose Iowa promotional program 5 that supports the marketing of agricultural commodities and 6 processed products originating from Iowa farms (Code section 7 187.301). The choose Iowa program allows a person to register 8 as a seller of Iowa commodities and products and receives the 9 right to use a legally protected logo under a paid license 10 (Code sections 187.302 and 187.303). The Code chapter includes 11 a choose Iowa food purchasing program that supports Iowa 12 food banks and emergency feeding operations (Code section 13 187.311). A farm or business enrolled in the choose Iowa 14 program is provided a preference to participate in the choose 15 Iowa food purchasing program. Under Code chapter 190A, DALS 16 also administers a farm-to-school program to support schools 17 and school districts in purchasing food products derived from 18 food commodities produced on Iowa farms (Code section 190A.6). 19 A dairy innovation program authorizes DALS to provide financing 20 to an eligible business in the form of a grant, low-interest 21 loan, or forgivable loan in order to expand dairy processing 22 capacity in Iowa (Code section 187.311). 23 PART A —— GENERAL —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This part creates 24 an exception to a provision that restricts state agencies from 25 engaging in an activity that competes with a private enterprise 26 (Code section 23A.2). The part amends the choose Iowa program 27 by providing for the enrollment of persons actively engaged in 28 producing, processing, or marketing Iowa agricultural products. 29 PART B —— CHOOSE IOWA PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS —— BILL’S 30 PROVISIONS. Under this part, DALS may adopt administrative 31 rules providing for criteria for enrollment in the choose 32 Iowa promotion program. The part establishes a choose Iowa 33 school purchasing program based on the current farm-to-school 34 program, which is eliminated. Under the new program, an 35 -28- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 28/ 40
H.F. 2340 eligible participant is reimbursed on a matching basis with 1 DALS contributing $1 for every $1 expended by the eligible 2 participant. The division renames the choose Iowa food 3 purchasing program to the choose Iowa food bank program. The 4 part provides that to participate in the program, a farm or 5 business must be enrolled as a member of the choose Iowa 6 promotional program. The part eliminates a provision providing 7 that not more than $200,000 may be used by DALS to reimburse 8 Iowa food banks and Iowa emergency feeding organizations. The 9 part eliminates a provision that terminates the program on July 10 1, 2030. Finally, the part transfers several Code sections 11 including Code section 159.25, which establishes an Iowa seal 12 for agricultural products. 13 PART C —— INNOVATION AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAMS —— BILL’S 14 PROVISIONS. This part provides priority to a beginning 15 farmer applying to participate in the dairy innovation and 16 revitalization program. The part creates a butchery innovation 17 revitalization program, modeled on the dairy innovation 18 and revitalization program, that promotes the development, 19 modernization, and expansion of this state’s butchery industry. 20 The part also eliminates a similar program administered by the 21 economic development authority (Code section 15E.370). 22 DIVISION III —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND 23 STEWARDSHIP REGULATION —— ANIMAL HEALTH —— BACKGROUND. Code 24 chapter 163 authorizes DALS to regulate animal health and 25 specifically control infectious or contagious diseases 26 (disease) afflicting livestock populations (Code chapter 163). 27 The term “control” refers to prevention, suppression, or 28 eradication efforts (Code section 163.2). 29 DIVISION III —— ANIMAL HEALTH —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This 30 division authorizes DALS to lease facilities in order to 31 control an infectious or contagious disease or provide for 32 a foreign animal disease preparedness and response effort 33 (Code section 162.2A). The division also provides that 34 notwithstanding Code chapter 22, information collected by DALS 35 -29- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 29/ 40
H.F. 2340 relating to such disease is confidential, if the information 1 identifies the name, address, and contact information of a 2 person owning or caring for an animal suspected of or being 3 affected with a disease; or any location where an animal 4 suspected of or being affected with the disease has been kept. 5 DIVISION IV —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND 6 STEWARDSHIP REGULATION —— WEIGHTS AND MEASURES —— BACKGROUND. 7 DALS is authorized to regulate standard weights and measures 8 under a number of Code chapters, with many of its provisions 9 first published in the 1851 Code (Code chapters 210, 213, 214, 10 and 215). Generally, standards must comply with or be supplied 11 by the federal government or approved as being in compliance 12 with those established by a United States agency, the national 13 institute of standards and technology (NIST). Many of Iowa’s 14 Code provisions regulating standards provide for the inspection 15 of commercial weighing and measuring devices that are used 16 to establish size, quantity, area, or another quantitative 17 measurement of a commodity when sold (Code section 215.1). 18 DIVISION IV —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND 19 STEWARDSHIP —— REGULATION —— WEIGHTS AND MEASURES —— BILL’S 20 PROVISIONS. This division provides that the secretary of 21 agriculture may designate the bureau chief of the department’s 22 weights and measures bureau to act as the state metrologist 23 of weights and measures (Code section 213.1). The state 24 metrologist is authorized to cooperate with NIST. A provision 25 requiring all weights and measures sealed by the state 26 metrologist to be impressed with the word “Iowa” is eliminated. 27 The division provides that DALS is no longer required to 28 inspect all commercial weighing and measuring devices unless 29 it receives a complaint (Code section 215.1A). In lieu of 30 an inspection, DALS may order the owner of the device or a 31 service agency that installed, serviced, or repaired the 32 device, to deliver to DALS one or more of the service agency’s 33 most recent test reports documenting the device’s accuracy. 34 Several exceptions apply that require the inspection of a 35 -30- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 30/ 40
H.F. 2340 device including a motor fuel pump (Code section 214.11), a 1 moisture-measuring device (Code section 215A.2), and a charging 2 station (Code section 452A.41). The division makes several 3 changes to enhance the Code’s readability including updating 4 or correcting references to Code chapter 215. The division 5 eliminates a provision that requires DALS to conduct a test 6 of a measuring device based on a request of any person (Code 7 section 213.3) and a provision requiring a city to pay for 8 expenses directly incurred in furnishing a city with standards 9 (Code section 213.7). 10 DIVISION V —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP 11 REGULATION —— GRAIN MARKETING —— BACKGROUND. DALS regulates 12 grain marketing transactions under three interrelated 13 Code chapters. The first two Code chapters regulate grain 14 marketers, including Code chapter 203 providing for the 15 regulation of a grain dealer purchasing grain from a seller and 16 Code chapter 203C providing for the regulation of a warehouse 17 operator storing grain for a depositor. Code chapter 203D 18 establishes the grain depositors and sellers indemnity fund 19 (indemnity fund) created to indemnify a seller or depositor 20 against a financial loss due to the management of the grain by 21 grain dealer or warehouse operator. 22 Under Code chapter 203, in a cash sale transaction, a grain 23 dealer must pay the seller the purchase price for grain upon 24 the grain’s delivery or upon demand for payment by the seller 25 (Code section 203.8). Delivery occurs when title to and 26 possession of the grain is transferred to the grain dealer or 27 another person in accordance with the terms of the contract 28 (Code section 203.8). One special type of sale is the use 29 of a credit-sale contract in which a grain dealer enters a 30 contract with a seller for the sale of grain and delivery of 31 the grain has occurred but payment has not been made either 32 because the price has not been agreed to (a deferred-pricing 33 contract) or the price has been agreed to but payment is to 34 be made more than 30 days later (a deferred-payment contract) 35 -31- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 31/ 40
H.F. 2340 (Code section 203.15). Under both Code chapters 203 and 1 203C, DALS regulates a grain dealer and warehouse operator by 2 issuing a license and conducting inspections of their business 3 operations. A grain dealer or warehouse operator must be 4 issued either a class 1 or class 2 license based on the size 5 of the business operation with a class 1 license requiring 6 higher net worth requirements (Code sections 203.3 and 203C.6). 7 However, a class 1 license is required for a grain dealer who 8 enters into a credit-sale contract regardless of the size of 9 the grain dealer’s operation. A class 1 or class 2 licensee 10 must annually submit to DALS a financial statement accompanied 11 by an unqualified opinion based upon an audit performed by a 12 certified public accountant (CPA) licensed in this state. In 13 2025, the general assembly enacted 2025 Iowa Acts, chapter 105 14 (2025 Act), which eliminated provisions that allowed a licensed 15 grain dealer or licensed grain warehouse operator to submit a 16 financial statement accompanied by a report of a state-licensed 17 CPA based upon a review in lieu of an unqualified opinion. The 18 2025 Act allowed the indemnity fund to cover a loss arising 19 from a deferred-payment contract (Code sections 203D.6 and 20 203D.6A). The 2025 Act also provided a separate process for 21 a seller to be indemnified for a loss resulting from the 22 seller having received from the grain dealer an amount from 23 the purchased grain that the seller was required to later pay 24 back to the grain dealer’s bankruptcy estate (Code section 25 203D.6A). A license of a grain dealer or warehouse operator 26 may cease due to any one of three causes, including revocation 27 by DALS, cancellation by the grain dealer, or the expiration 28 of the license by operation of law. All of these causes are 29 covered under Code sections 203.10 and 203C.10. Upon any of 30 these causes, a seller may claim the purchase price for the 31 sold grain, which may trigger a claim for a loss under the 32 indemnity fund. 33 DIVISION V —— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP 34 —— REGULATION —— GRAIN MARKETING —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. Parts A 35 -32- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 32/ 40
H.F. 2340 and B of this division amend Code sections 203.3 and 203C.6A by 1 allowing a grain dealer (except a grain dealer entering into a 2 credit-sale contract) or a warehouse operator to again submit a 3 financial statement accompanied by a report of a state-licensed 4 CPA based upon a review in lieu of an unqualified opinion. 5 Parts A and B of the division amend Code section 203.8 by 6 providing that unless title to grain was previously transferred 7 pursuant to an ordinary cash sale contract, title to grain 8 sold by credit-sale contract is deemed to have transferred to 9 the grain dealer upon two conditions: (1) the credit-sale 10 contract is signed by both the grain dealer and the seller 11 and (2) the grain dealer or another person has possession of 12 the grain in accordance with the terms of the credit-sale 13 contract. The bill provides that a claim for a loss incurred 14 by a seller or depositor may be triggered by the filing of a 15 bankruptcy petition by a grain dealer or warehouse operator. 16 The bill also amends a number of provisions that refer to the 17 revocation, cancellation, or expiration of the license by 18 instead referring to either Code section 203.10 or 203C.10, 19 which describe those types of actions. Part C of the division 20 amends Code section 203D.6 by providing for the indemnification 21 of a seller for grain purchased by a grain dealer that the 22 seller was required to pay back later in bankruptcy. The claim 23 may proceed upon a determination that an eligible repayment 24 claim was filed with DALS by the seller as required by statute. 25 Finally, part C of the division amends Code section 203D.6A 26 by providing for the timeliness of a repayment claim in the 27 case of a bankruptcy court’s default judgment. In that case, 28 the seller must file a claim not later than 60 days after 29 the court’s judgment or a settlement agreement is approved, 30 whichever is later. 31 DIVISION VI —— DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATION —— 32 MOTOR VEHICLES. This division provides for the regulation of 33 persons moving agricultural items on state highways and roads. 34 PART A —— MILK HAULERS —— BACKGROUND. Under Code chapter 35 -33- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 33/ 40
H.F. 2340 321E, the department of transportation (DOT) and local 1 authorities regulate the weight of motor vehicles traveling on 2 a street, road, or highway, including by issuing permits (Code 3 section 321E.2). DOT is authorized to issue annual permits 4 for the operation of vehicles or combinations of vehicles 5 transporting fluid milk products to or from a milk plant, 6 receiving station, or transfer station. The weight limitation 7 is 96,000 pounds on primary roads and primary road extensions 8 in cities. A person who violates the weight provisions is 9 subject to a fine according to a schedule based on the number 10 of pounds of overload beginning at $12. 11 PART A —— MILK HAULERS —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This part 12 increases the weight limit to 136,000 pounds. DOT is 13 required to adopt rules governing minimum distances for axle 14 configurations. The part takes effect January 1, 2027. 15 PART B —— IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY —— BACKGROUND. Code 16 section 321.457 regulates the maximum length of a motor 17 vehicle or combination of vehicles operated on the highways 18 of this state. A trailer or semitrailer cannot have an 19 overall length in excess of 53 feet when operating in a truck 20 tractor-semitrailer combination. However, a lowboy semitrailer 21 that is designed and exclusively used for the transportation of 22 construction equipment may have an overall length not in excess 23 of 57 feet. A person who violates the length requirement is 24 subject to a scheduled fine of $260 (Code section 805.8A). 25 PART B —— IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This 26 part provides that an implement of husbandry (a vehicle or 27 equipment used in agricultural production) has the same feet 28 requirement as construction equipment. 29 DIVISION VII —— AGRICULTURAL TOURISM —— BACKGROUND. Code 30 chapter 673A, referred to as the “Iowa Agricultural Tourism 31 Promotion Act” (Code section 673A.1), limits the liability of 32 certain persons involved in agricultural tourism on a farm 33 (agricultural tourism farm) when a cause of action by a visitor 34 to the farm (agricultural tourist) alleges an injury, loss, or 35 -34- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 34/ 40
H.F. 2340 death due to any of the following: (1) an inherent risk of 1 farming associated with a farming activity, (2) the failure of 2 the agricultural tourist to comply with an instruction while 3 visiting the agricultural tourism farm, or (3) the injury, 4 loss, or death occurred at a place a reasonable person would 5 not enter, which may be based on a posted notice (Code section 6 673A.4). 7 DIVISION VII —— AGRICULTURAL TOURISM —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. 8 This division expands the scope of the liability protection 9 provided to persons engaged in agricultural tourism by amending 10 definitions in Code section 673A.3. The division provides that 11 a farm includes a tree farm, and that a farm crop includes 12 a plant used for energy or decoration. The division also 13 provides that a farm crop described as edible or ornamental 14 produce includes nuts, maple syrup, mushrooms, and Christmas 15 trees. Finally, a farm crop includes lumber, pulpwood, 16 cordwood, and honey. 17 DIVISION VIII —— LAND USE —— BACKGROUND. Code chapter 335 18 provides for county zoning. Code section 335.27 provides that 19 a county zoning ordinance does not apply to land, a farm house, 20 farm barn, farm outbuilding, or other building or structure 21 that is primarily adapted for an agricultural purpose. Code 22 chapter 335.28 provides that a county cannot require a 23 conditional use permit, special use permit, special exception, 24 or variance for agricultural experiences on property primarily 25 used for agricultural production. An agricultural experience 26 is defined to include an agriculture-related activity, as a 27 secondary use in conjunction with agricultural production, on a 28 farm, which activity is open to the public. 29 DIVISION VIII —— LAND USE —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This 30 division amends Code section 335.2 by providing that an 31 agricultural purpose includes an agricultural tourism 32 activity or event, value-added agricultural processing, 33 direct-to-consumer marketing, or other farm-based enterprise 34 that supports the economic viability of a farm. The division 35 -35- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 35/ 40
H.F. 2340 amends Code section 335.28 by providing that an agricultural 1 experience includes tourism activities and events, such as 2 recreational, entertainment, dining, celebratory, and overnight 3 lodging opportunities offered on a working farm, so long as 4 the farm’s primary use remains agricultural production. The 5 division takes effect upon enactment. 6 DIVISION IX —— PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION —— QUALIFIED 7 ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS —— BACKGROUND. Generally, real 8 property subject to property tax is assessed locally by either 9 a county or city assessor (Code section 441.1). Code section 10 427A.2 provides that personal property is not subject to 11 property tax and Code section 427A.1 provides a descriptive 12 list of property that is subject to assessment and taxation as 13 real property (buildings, structures, or improvement attached 14 to the land, or placed upon a foundation whether or not 15 attached to the foundation). The Code section also provides a 16 description of real property that is not subject to assessment 17 and taxation as real property. 18 DIVISION IX —— PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION —— QUALIFIED 19 ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This 20 division provides another exemption applicable to a qualified 21 aboveground storage tank that would otherwise be subject to 22 assessment and taxation as real property. The aboveground 23 storage tank must have a capacity of 91,000 gallons or less, 24 regardless of its use. The division makes inapplicable a 25 provision in the “State Mandates Act” (Code chapter 25B) that 26 governs the funding of a property tax credit or exemption 27 (credit or exemption). Specifically, Code section 25B.7 28 provides that if a state enacts legislation creating a credit 29 or exemption, a political subdivision (county, city, or school 30 district) is required to extend to the taxpayer only that 31 portion of the credit or exemption estimated by the department 32 of revenue to be funded by a state appropriation. The division 33 takes effect upon enactment and applies retroactively to 34 assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. 35 -36- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 36/ 40
H.F. 2340 DIVISION X —— EXCISE TAX ELIMINATION —— GRAIN HANDLING 1 —— BACKGROUND. Code section 428.35 relates to the grain 2 handling excise tax of one-fourth mill per bushel upon all 3 grain handled (1/40 of 1 cent per bushel). For purposes of 4 the excise tax, “handling or handled” means the receiving of 5 grain at or in each elevator, warehouse, mill, processing 6 plant, or other facility in this state in which it is received 7 for storage, accumulation, sale, processing, or any other 8 purpose. Generally, real property subject to property tax is 9 assessed locally by either a county or city assessor (Code 10 section 441.1). The amount of excise tax is calculated on the 11 basis of a statement prepared by the department of revenue and 12 filed by the person handling the grain and is due 60 days after 13 the start of the calendar year. The statement records the 14 total number of bushels handled by the person during the prior 15 calendar year. The excise tax is entered on the tax list of the 16 taxing district and revenue collected from the excise tax is 17 distributed to the various taxing authorities within the taxing 18 district in the same manner as general property taxes. 19 DIVISION X —— EXCISE TAX ELIMINATION —— GRAIN HANDLING —— 20 BILL’S PROVISIONS. This division eliminates the special excise 21 tax provision on the handling of grain on January 1, 2027, and 22 the excise tax is no longer assessable for grain handled on or 23 after that date. The division makes inapplicable a provision 24 in the “State Mandates Act” that governs the funding of a 25 property tax credit or exemption. 26 DIVISION XI —— SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION —— HONEYBEES —— 27 BACKGROUND. Code chapter 423 provides for Iowa’s streamlined 28 sales and use tax provisions. The state sales tax is imposed 29 on the sales price of all sales of tangible personal property 30 and from the furnishing of enumerated services sold at retail 31 to the ultimate consumer or user of the property or services 32 (Code section 423.2). As a complement to the sales tax, the 33 use tax is imposed on the purchase price of all tangible 34 personal property or enumerated services purchased for use in 35 -37- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 37/ 40
H.F. 2340 Iowa and used in Iowa. There are a number of exemptions to the 1 sales tax and, with a few exceptions, the same exemptions apply 2 to the use tax (Code section 423.5). 3 DIVISION XI —— SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION —— HONEYBEES —— 4 BILL’S PROVISIONS. This division provides a new sales and use 5 tax exemption for the sale of honeybees. 6 DIVISION XII —— INCOME TAX EXEMPTION —— BACKGROUND. Code 7 chapter 422 provides for an Iowa income tax imposed on taxable 8 income of individuals who are residents and nonresidents 9 of this state (Code section 422.5). The Iowa individual 10 income tax is calculated based on the taxpayer’s federal 11 adjusted gross income, with designated adjustments including 12 subtractions, that determine net income in order to compute 13 state tax liability (Code section 422.7). 14 PART A —— INCOME TAX EXEMPTION —— FARM TENANCIES —— 15 BACKGROUND. A retired farmer leasing real property under a 16 farm tenancy agreement may qualify as an eligible individual 17 electing to subtract (exclude) rent payments from the 18 computation of net income (Code section 422.7). In order to 19 make this election, the retired farmer must either be disabled 20 or at least 55 years old. In addition, the retired farmer must 21 have materially participated in a farming business for 10 years 22 in the aggregate, and held the leased property for 10 years 23 (Code section 422.17). A farm tenancy agreement is a writing 24 that creates a leasehold in which the owner-lessor transfers 25 that property to a tenant-lessee for farming including the 26 production of a crop or livestock (Code chapter 562) in 27 exchange for receiving a rent payment, including on a cash or 28 commodity share basis. The eligible individual is prohibited 29 from claiming a duplicative tax adjustment under (1) the 30 capital gains exemption for the sale of real property used in a 31 farming business (Code section 422.7(13)), or (2) the beginning 32 farmer tax credit for the lease of agricultural assets (Code 33 chapter 16, subchapter VIII, part 5, subpart B). 34 PART A —— INCOME TAX EXEMPTION —— FARM TENANCIES —— BILL’S 35 -38- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 38/ 40
H.F. 2340 PROVISIONS. This part allows a retired farmer to exclude 1 net income because a specific legal entity rather than the 2 retired farmer is the holder of the farm tenancy (leased 3 property). An individual who organizes and operates a business 4 under one of several types of recognized legal or equitable 5 entities may shield personal assets from creditors while income 6 received by such entity is attributed (passes through) to the 7 individual. Specifically, the amended provision applies to net 8 income received by a partnership (general or limited), an S 9 corporation, or a trust or estate (presumably subject to the 10 restrictions of Code chapters 9 and 9I). In addition, the 11 part expressly recognizes another pass-through entity referred 12 to as a “disregarded entity” (DRE). Such an entity must be 13 recognized under state law (e.g., a limited liability company 14 or “LLC”). The equity interest (e.g., a membership interest 15 in an LLC) must be owned by a single individual or a spousal 16 couple. Income received by the DRE passes through the entity 17 to the individual or spousal couple. The part provides that 18 in the case of a DRE or grantor trust, the net income is deemed 19 to be distributed to the sole owner. The part takes effect 20 January 1, 2027, and applies to tax years beginning on and 21 after that date. 22 PART B —— VETERINARY PRACTICE —— BACKGROUND. Code section 23 256.226 establishes a rural veterinarian loan repayment 24 program administered by the college student aid commission 25 (commission). The purpose of the program is to provide for 26 the repayment of a student loan to an individual who agrees 27 to practice for four years as a licensed veterinarian in a 28 rural area referred to as a rural service commitment area 29 or a veterinary shortage area pursuant to a loan repayment 30 agreement. The amount of repayment cannot exceed $15,000 31 annually or a total of $60,000 or the amount of the outstanding 32 eligible loan. 33 PART B —— VETERINARY PRACTICE —— BILL’S PROVISIONS. This 34 part allows a licensed veterinarian participating in the rural 35 -39- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 39/ 40
H.F. 2340 veterinarian loan repayment program to exclude net income 1 attributable to loan payments received under the program, 2 subject to the restrictions provided in the program. The 3 amount subject to the exclusion cannot exceed $15,000 per tax 4 year, and an aggregate of $60,000 for all tax years. However, 5 in any case, the excluded amount cannot exceed the amount of 6 the outstanding eligible loan. The same exclusion applies 7 to income attributable to a loan repayment received from 8 two alternative sources. The first alternative source is a 9 nongovernmental entity. In that case, the taxpayer must meet 10 the same eligibility requirements and is subject to the same 11 amount limitations as applies under the rural veterinarian 12 loan repayment program administered by the commission. The 13 second alternative source is under the federal veterinary 14 medicine loan repayment program administered by the United 15 States department of agriculture. In that case, the amount is 16 limited to not more than the amount of the loan and related tax 17 liability payments or $55,600 per year, whichever is less. 18 -40- LSB 5552HV (5) 91 da/js 40/ 40