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

SF 316: 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 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.

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 16, 2023Filed in the Senate
  2. February 16, 2023Approved by the Senate committee
  3. February 23, 2023Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
  4. June 5, 2023Sent to the Senate State Government 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/SF316