Relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection

This bill relates to and makes appropriations for FY 2025-2026 involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection, including the department of agriculture and land stewardship (DALS), department of natural resources (DNR), Iowa state university of science and technology (ISU), and state university of Iowa (UI). DALS. The bill appropriates moneys from the general fund of the state (GF) to DALS for general operations, ISU’s midwest grape and wine industry institute, dairy regulation, the local food and farm program, agricultural education, foreign animal disease preparedness and response, the farmers with disabilities program, loess hills development and conservation, southern Iowa development and conservation, grain regulation, the choose Iowa fund, and the choose Iowa food purchasing pilot project. The bill also appropriates moneys to DALS from pari-mutuel wagering winnings for administration and enforcement of horse and dog racing, from the renewable fuel infrastructure fund for motor fuel inspections, and from the Iowa skilled worker and job creation fund for the butchery innovation and revitalization program. DNR. The bill appropriates moneys from the GF to DNR for general operations, floodplain management and dam safety, forestry health management, and state park operations. The bill also appropriates moneys to DNR from the state fish and game protection fund for various activities, from the groundwater protection fund for DNR’s groundwater protection activities, and from the special snowmobile fund for snowmobile programs. ISU. The bill appropriates moneys from the GF to ISU for the veterinary diagnostic laboratory, management of private forests, and livestock disease research. The bill also appropriates moneys from the Iowa nutrient research fund to ISU for the veterinary diagnostic laboratory. UI. The bill appropriates moneys from the GF to UI for the center for agricultural health and safety. ENVIRONMENT FIRST FUND. The bill appropriates moneys from the environment first fund (EFF) to DALS for the conservation reserve enhancement program, watershed protection, the conservation reserve program, soil and water conservation, and the water quality initiative fund; to DNR for state park maintenance and operations, the geographic information system, water quality monitoring, the public water supply system account, regulation of animal feeding operations, floodplain management and dam safety, and ambient air quality; and to UI for Iowa geological survey operations and water resource management. RESOURCES ENHANCEMENT AND PROTECTION. For FY 2025-2026, the bill appropriates moneys from the EFF to the Iowa resource enhancement and protection (REAP) fund in lieu of the standing GF appropriation. The bill also allows certain moneys in the open spaces account of the REAP fund to be used by DNR for state park maintenance, development, operations, and facility refurbishment.