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91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HF 557: Relating to animal torture, and providing penalties

Became HF 2348 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

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.

Sponsors

Rep. Samantha Fett (R), Rep. Carter F. Nordman (R)

Cost

See the fiscal note

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…

House subcommittee · named January 21, 2026

  • Rep. Samantha Fett (R) · samantha.fett@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Carter F. Nordman (R) · carter.nordman@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D) · beth.wessel-kroeschell@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 13 for, 0 against

For: Animal Legal Defense Fund; Animal Rescue League Iowa, Inc.; Anita Fischer - Personal Interest; Des Moines Kennel Club, Inc.; Humane World for Animals; Iowa Fraternal Order of Police; Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance; Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum); Iowa State Sheriffs' & Deputies' Association; Iowa Veterinary Medical Association; Samoyed Club of Iowa; Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, Iowa; and 1 more

In plain words

  1. February 24, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
  2. February 27, 2025House subcommittee named: Nordman, Fett and Wessel-Kroeschell
  3. March 3, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
  4. January 21, 2026House subcommittee named: Fett, Nordman and Wessel-Kroeschell
  5. January 28, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
  6. February 5, 2026Approved by the House committee
  7. February 5, 2026Committee vote: 21–0
  8. February 9, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2348
  9. March 9, 2026Withdrawn

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/91/HF557