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Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate File 654 regulates wildlife traps, tree stands, beaver dam removal, and fur dealer fees
Last action · June 2, 2026: Signed by Governor . S.J. 1030 .
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What This Bill Does
Iowa law now requires hunters placing deer tree stands on public land to attach a metal plate with their department-issued identification number, beginning July 1, 2026. The legislation also sets a maximum annual fur dealer license fee of fifty dollars, updates trap and snare labeling requirements, and modifies requirements for obtaining wild animal depredation and deer shooting permits.
Hunters and trappers must update equipment identification and follow new restrictions on trap checks and dam alterations, while agricultural landowners experiencing economic loss can qualify for under revised criteria.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Hunters
Hunters placing deer tree stands on public land must attach identification metal plates and follow restrictions on trap usage.
Trappers
Trappers must label traps and snares with identification tags, check land-based traps every twenty-four hours, and abide by prohibitions on certain trap types.
Fur dealers
Fur dealers face a capped maximum annual license fee of fifty dollars for residents and nonresidents.
Agricultural landowners
Landowners and tenants experiencing economic loss of one thousand dollars or more can obtain depredation and deer shooting permits and alter beaver dams to protect property.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are hunters required to attach to deer tree stands placed on public land?
How often must land-based traps and snares be checked?
What is the maximum annual fee for a fur dealer license?
What economic loss threshold is required for landowners to receive depredation permits?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
37 actions- Jun 2, 2026SenateEnrolledSigned by Governor . S.J. 1030 .
- May 11, 2026SenateReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor. S.J. 1028 .
- May 2, 2026HouseMessage from Senate. H.J. 1111 .
- May 2, 2026SenateImmediate message. S.J. 967 .
- May 2, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate , yeas 32, nays 12. S.J. 967 .
- May 2, 2026SenateFloorSenate concurred with S-5216 . S.J. 966 .
Show 31 earlier actions
- May 1, 2026HouseExplanation of vote. H.J. 1082 .
- Apr 27, 2026HouseMessage from House, with amendment S-5216 . S.J. 896 .
- Apr 27, 2026HouseImmediate message. H.J. 1011 .
- Apr 27, 2026HouseFloorPassed House , yeas 66, nays 23. H.J. 1004 .
- Apr 27, 2026HouseFloorAmendment H-8408 filed, yeas 65, nays 24, adopted. H.J. 1003 .
- Apr 22, 2026HousePlaced on Ways and Means calendar. H.J. 987 .
- Apr 21, 2026HouseCommittee vote: Yeas, 24. Nays, 0. Excused, 1. H.J. 987 .
- Apr 21, 2026HouseCommittee report, recommending passage. H.J. 987 .
- Mar 11, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Mar 9, 2026HouseSubcommittee Meeting: 03/11/2026 12:00PM House Lounge 2.
- Jan 29, 2026HouseSubcommittee: Wulf, Gjerde and Hermanson. H.J. 178 .
- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedRead first time, referred to Ways and Means. H.J. 45 .
- Dec 31, 2025Iowa Legislature* * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *
- May 14, 2025HouseMessage from Senate. H.J. 1204 .
- May 14, 2025SenateImmediate message. S.J. 1028 .
- May 14, 2025SenateFloorPassed Senate , yeas 45, nays 0. S.J. 1026 .
- May 9, 2025SenateCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 654 . S.J. 956 .
- May 9, 2025SenateCommittee report, approving bill. S.J. 956 .
- May 9, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced, placed on Ways and Means calendar. S.J. 954 .
- Mar 12, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Mar 12, 2025SenateSubcommittee Meeting: 03/12/2025 12:30PM Senate Lounge.
- Mar 11, 2025SenateSubcommittee reassigned: Sweeney, Bisignano, and Green. S.J. 491 .
- Feb 19, 2025SenateSubcommittee: Sweeney, Celsi, and Green. S.J. 314 .
- Feb 17, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to Ways and Means. S.J. 275 .
- Feb 11, 2025SenateCommittee report, approving bill. S.J. 246 .
- Feb 11, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 239 .
- Feb 10, 2025Iowa LegislatureCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 260 .
- Feb 5, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Feb 4, 2025SenateSubcommittee Meeting: 02/05/2025 1:30PM Senate Lounge.
- Feb 4, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee: Sweeney, Celsi, and Zumbach.
- Feb 4, 2025Iowa LegislatureIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Natural Resources and Environment.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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