SSB 3120 (LSB 5127XC (2) 91)

SENATE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT BILL BY CHAIRPERSON SWEENEY)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to hunter education requirements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 483A.27, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A person born after January 1, 1972, shall not obtain a hunting license unless the person has satisfactorily completed a hunter education course approved by the commission. A person who is eleven years of age or more older may enroll in an approved hunter education course, but a person who is eleven years of age and who has successfully completed the course shall be issued a certificate of completion which that becomes valid on the person’s twelfth birthday. A certificate of completion from an approved hunter education course issued in this state, or a certificate issued by another state, country, or province or by a nationally recognized organization for completion of a course that meets the standards adopted by the international hunter education association —— United States of America, is valid for the requirements of this section.
    Sec. 2.  Section 483A.27, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  2A.  A person may satisfy the hunter education requirements required under this section by completing an online hunter education course offered or approved by the department. Completion of an in-person field day shall not be required for successful completion of the course but may be offered by the department or the person offering the course as an optional supplemental opportunity.
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 hunter education requirements.
   Under current law, a person born after January 1, 1972, must complete a hunter education course prior to receiving a hunting license. The department of natural resources (department) recognizes certifications issued by another state, country, or province for completion of a course that meets the standards adopted by the international hunter education association —— United States of America as valid to satisfy the hunter education requirement. The bill adds certifications issued by a nationally recognized organization to the list of recognized certifications that may fulfill the hunter education requirement.
   The bill allows a person to satisfy the hunter education requirement by completing an online hunter education course offered or approved by the department. The bill states that an in-person field day is not required but may be offered as an optional supplemental opportunity.