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

HF 869: 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 October 2, 2026. 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

No fiscal note

Senate subcommittee · named March 25, 2025

  • Sen. Dan Dawson (R) · dan.dawson@legis.iowa.gov
  • Sen. Tony Bisignano (D) · tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov
  • Sen. Mark S. Lofgren (R) · mark.lofgren@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 1 against

For: Animal Rescue League Iowa, Inc.; Humane World for Animals; Iowa Veterinary Medical Association

Against: Humane World for Animals

In plain words

  1. February 24, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the State Government committee · as HSB 245
  2. February 24, 2025House subcommittee named: Hora, Siegrist and Srinivas · as HSB 245
  3. February 26, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 245
  4. March 5, 2025Approved by the House committee · as HSB 245
  5. March 5, 2025Committee vote: 21–0 · as HSB 245
  6. March 7, 2025Filed in the House
  7. March 7, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 869 · as HSB 245
  8. March 19, 2025Passed the House, 95–1
  9. March 20, 2025Arrived in the Senate
  10. March 25, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Dawson, Bisignano and Lofgren
  11. April 3, 2025Approved 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/91/HF869