Relating to businesses removing and disposing of wild animal carcasses, including licensing, reciprocity, possession, and reporting requirements for carcass removers

This bill relates to businesses removing and disposing of wild animal carcasses, including licensing, reciprocity, possession, and reporting requirements for carcass removers. The bill defines “carcass remover” as any person or business entity engaged in the business of removing and disposing of the carcass of any wild animal from public or private land, including public roads and rights-of-way. The bill requires the natural resource commission (commission) to issue licenses and area permits to carcass removers that allow the carcass remover to engage in business within Iowa. The bill requires a license for each carcass remover and for each employee, agent, or representative of a carcass remover. The bill provides that a licensed carcass remover may conduct business only within the geographic area specified on the license or at the place of business specified on the license. The bill authorizes the issuance of area permits that allow a carcass remover to operate in additional specified geographic areas. A nonresident licensed carcass remover may purchase area permits to operate outside the geographic area specified on the remover’s license, while a resident licensed carcass remover may obtain area permits without a fee. Each area permit is valid only within the geographic area specified. The bill directs the commission, upon application and payment of any required license or permit fee, to issue the proper license and area permits. The bill establishes reciprocity provisions for nonresident carcass removers and requires the commission to adopt rules establishing fees for carcass remover licenses and area permits. The bill authorizes a licensed carcass remover to possess carcasses of animals that have been lawfully removed. The bill requires the antlers on a deer removed by a licensed carcass remover to be delivered to the local conservation officer for disposal. The bill requires carcass removers to maintain accurate and current records of carcass removal and disposal. The records must include the number and kinds of carcasses removed and disposed of, the dates of removal and disposal, and the approximate location of disposal. The bill requires the records to be open to inspection by the commission at all reasonable times. The bill further requires each carcass remover to file a verified annual report with the commission on or before May of each year that includes all removals and disposals from the preceding year.