Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa providing that hunting, trapping, fishing, and the taking of game and fish are a valued part of our heritage

Description

Senate Joint Resolution 16 proposes an amendment to the Iowa Constitution preserving the right to hunt, trap, fish, and take game and fish in the State of Iowa.

Background

Iowa Code section 49A.1 and the Iowa Constitution require that when an amendment to the Constitution is passed by the General Assembly and has been referred to the next succeeding General Assembly, the General Assembly is required to publish the proposed amendment in two newspapers of general circulation in each Iowa congressional district once each month for three consecutive months prior to the start of the next General Assembly. Upon passage of the amendment by the second General Assembly, the amendment would be published in newspapers in all 99 counties once each month for three consecutive months immediately preceding the general election.

This would be the first year of the process.

Assumptions

• The average cost to publish an amendment in a single newspaper is $600.
• Publication of the amendment would occur in 99 newspapers (one in each county) for a three-month period.

Fiscal Impact

The estimated cost to publish a proposed Constitutional amendment passed by the 89th General Assembly would be $14,400 (8 newspapers x 3 months x $600). The costs would incurred in fall 2022 (FY 2023), prior to the convening of the 2023 Legislative Session. Assuming the proposed amendment is passed a second time by the 90th General Assembly, the estimated cost would be $178,200 (99 newspapers x 3 months x $600). The costs would be incurred in fall 2024 (FY 2025).

The publication costs would be incurred by the Secretary of the Senate’s Office and the Chief Clerk’s Office in the House of Representatives, and reimbursed by the Iowa Secretary of State.

Sources

• Legislative Services Agency
• Office of the Secretary of State