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Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate File 2135 doubles civil penalties for commercial animal facilities and eliminates operating permits
Last action · February 7, 2026: Subcommittee: Driscoll, Green, and Zimmer.Sponsor: Janet Petersen
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate File 2135 increases maximum civil penalties for commercial animal establishments to $1,000 for authorized facilities and $2,000 for unauthorized operators, eliminates existing permits in favor of state licenses, and mandates annual inspections by the department.
Commercial breeders, dealers, public auctions, and animal shelters face stricter regulatory oversight, mandatory annual inspections, potential reinspection fees of $150 plus mileage, and doubled financial penalties for noncompliance.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Commercial breeders
Must operate under state licenses instead of permits, face doubled civil penalties up to $1,000 for violations, and are subject to mandatory annual inspections.
Dealers
Required to obtain state licenses rather than permits and face increased civil penalties for noncompliance with animal care standards.
Public auctions
Subject to state licensing requirements, mandatory annual inspections, and increased penalties for violating animal regulations.
Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Tasked with conducting annual inspections, enforcing new civil penalty schedules, and administering continuing education programs.
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 happens if a commercial kennel fails its inspection?
Are permits still available for commercial breeders or dealers?
How much are the inspection and reinspection fees?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 7, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee: Driscoll, Green, and Zimmer.
- Jan 28, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Agriculture. S.J. 156 .
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.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Elimination of Permitting Tier
The legislation removes the distinction of permits for certain animal operators, transitioning commercial breeders, dealers, and public auctions entirely into the state licensing framework.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy45Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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