Bills › 88th General Assembly
Relating to fishing on a private lake or pond
Topics:Environment & natural resources
Same legislation: SF 203
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2019
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 17, 2019
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 6, 2019
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 203
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 203 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 203 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill allows a person to fish on a private lake or pond without a license. The person must first obtain the consent of the owner or lessee of the lake or pond before fishing.
Changed since by amendment H-1136; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 17, 2019. It hasn’t reported yet.
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
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