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90th General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HF 472: Providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters involving the alleged mistreatment of animals, including by providing for immunity from administrative, civil, or criminal liability when acting in good faith; providing for administrative, civil, or criminal liability when not acting in good faith; and making penalties applicable

Died when the session ended · The General Assembly adjourned on April 19, 2024. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died.

What it does

IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY —— LIMITATIONS —— ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL, AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY. This bill amends provisions in Code chapter 169, the Iowa veterinary practice Act, by providing that a licensed veterinarian who acts in good faith is immune from administrative, civil, or criminal liability for actions involving cases of alleged animal misconduct under several Code chapters. Code chapter 717B prohibits various forms of animal mistreatment, including abuse, neglect, torture, and injuring or interfering with a police service dog; Code chapter 717C prohibits bestiality; and Code chapter 717D prohibits animal contest events.

Sponsors

State Government (companion To Sf 316 By Committee on State Government) committee

Cost

Can’t be estimated

The fiscal impact related to the creation of a new criminal offense cannot be estimated due to a lack of existing data. The average State cost for one simple misdemeanor conviction ranges from $35 to $375.

Senate subcommittee · named January 11, 2024

  • Sen. Dan Dawson (R) · dan.dawson@legis.iowa.gov
  • Sen. Tony Bisignano (D) · tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov
  • Sen. Dawn Driscoll (R) · dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 1 against

For: Dog Daycare Coalition; Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Iowa Veterinary Medical Association; The Humane Society of the United States

Against: Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers

In plain words

  1. February 21, 2023Filed in the House and sent to the State Government committee · as HSB 181
  2. February 21, 2023House subcommittee named: Bergan, Matson and Wulf · as HSB 181
  3. February 23, 2023Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 181
  4. February 24, 2023Approved by the House committee · as HSB 181
  5. February 27, 2023Filed in the House
  6. February 27, 2023Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 472 · as HSB 181
  7. February 28, 2023Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
  8. March 7, 2023Passed the House, 97–1
  9. March 7, 2023Arrived in the Senate
  10. June 5, 2023Sent to the Senate State Government committee
  11. January 11, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Dawson, Bisignano and Driscoll
  12. January 25, 2024Subcommittee recommended passing it
  13. February 1, 2024Approved by the Senate committee

From public records at legis.iowa.gov, compiled by Funnel (iowafunnel.com), an independent, nonpartisan site. Current as of Monday, November 9, 2026. https://iowafunnel.com/bills/90/HF472