Bills › 88th General Assembly
Relating to stocking private waters and fishing on such waters
Sponsored by the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee
Topics:Environment & natural resources
Same legislation: SF 46
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2019
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 17, 2019
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 6, 2019
- Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 20, 201934–14
- Done: House committeeApril 4, 2019
- Done: Passes the HouseApril 24, 2019
- Stopped: To the GovernorDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2020 session adjourned on June 14, 2020, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill prohibits the environmental protection commission from stocking a private lake or pond. Current law allows the commission to stock private waters with permission of the owner under certain conditions. The bill also allows a person to fish without a license on an entirely land-locked private pond that is not located on a natural stream channel or otherwise connected via surface waters to waters of the state.
Changed since by amendment H-1136; see Amendments.
House subcommittee
Named February 28, 2019. On March 21, 2019 it recommended amendment and passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
Less revenue: up to $796,000 Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill allows people to fish on private ponds without a license if they have the landowner's permission. It is estimated to cause a revenue reduction of $796,000 to the Fish and Game Trust Fund for fiscal year 2020 and each subsequent year. Additionally, there may be a potential loss of $616,000 in federal funds deposited into the Fish and Game Trust Fund in fiscal year 2024.2
Read the fiscal note
Description
Senate File 203 eliminates the need for a person to purchase a fishing license when the owner of a pond on private land gives the person permission to fish.
Background
Currently, Iowa Code section 483A.24 allows landowners and their minor-aged children to fish on the land they own without purchasing a fishing license. In addition, all residents under 16 years of age may fish for free in Iowa, including private ponds. Other persons wanting to fish at a pond on private property must purchase a fishing license.
Assumptions
Fishing license fees are deposited into the Fish and Game Protection Fund to pay for programs related to hunting, fishing, law enforcement, and other wildlife programs within the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). When there is a reduction in the number of licenses sold, license revenue is decreased, which can affect the services the Department provides. Responsive Management conducted the 2018 Iowa Angler Survey during the last two months of 2018. The final report will be available in April 2019. A total of 1,628 licensed anglers were surveyed and the following information is related to the Bill:
- 14.7% of licensed anglers surveyed said they fish exclusively on private ponds.
- The DNR assumes the 14.7% of the licensed anglers would cease to purchase a fishing license.
- Fishing license sales data from 2018 was used to project fishing license sales and fee revenue for FY 2019.
- The DNR increased fishing license fees by 17.0% for calendar year 2019 through the Administrative Rules process.
- Federal Sport Fish Restoration funds are apportioned to states based on a formula that includes licenses sold. If fishing license sales decrease, the amount of federal funds could be reduced beginning in 2024, due to the timing of the federal certification and apportionment process.
Fiscal Impact
The estimated fiscal impact of SF 203 is a revenue reduction of $796,000 to the Fish and Game Trust Fund for FY 2020 and each subsequent year. Also, in FY 2024, there may be a potential loss of $616,000 in federal funds deposited in the Fish and Game Trust Fund. Table 1 details the estimated reduction of revenue to the Fish and Game Trust Fund from the implementation of SF 203.
Sources
- Department of Natural Resources
- LSA calculations
- Fishing Licenses, Ponds · March 4, 2019 · $796,000
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88th General Assembly