Relating to animal torture, and providing penalties

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedFebruary 24, 2025
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 27, 2025
3. ✓
   Done: House committeeFebruary 5, 2026
4. ✓
   Done: Passes the HouseMarch 5, 202685–0
5. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeMarch 19, 2026
6. ✓
   Done: Passes the SenateApril 29, 202646–0
7. ✓
   Done: To the GovernorMay 11, 2026
8. ✓
   Done: Signed into lawMay 11, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to animal torture. The bill provides that a person is guilty of animal torture if the person intentionally or knowingly crushes, burns, drowns, suffocates, impales, or otherwise subjects an animal to serious injury or death or causes, directs, or provides anything of value to another person to do the same. Current law provides that animal torture is an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill increases the penalty to a class “D” felony. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment S-5232; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

Fiscal note

Minimal Compare with other bills

The fiscal impact of the Bill is estimated to be minimal. Figure 2 shows the average State cost per offense for a Class C felony and Class D felony. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the DOC.

• Final Fiscal Note — Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty · May 13, 2026
• Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty · April 30, 2026
• Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty · March 4, 2026
• Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty · February 25, 2026

Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§717B.3A

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.