Iowa Legislature Talks Green in February
One of the biggest highlights of the state of Iowa is its incredible biodiversity. Native Iowa prairies are just as biodiverse as rainforests. With the intense importance of Iowa’s natural resources, the legislature is in charge of effectively funding measures that will both protect existing ecosystems and support the state’s farmers. So let’s check in on what our legislators have been doing.
SJR 6: The big bill of the week was this joint resolution amending the Iowa Constitution to repeal the natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund. This trust fund was created by voters in 2010 with 63% support but the Iowa Legislature has not funded it. In the overflowing subcommittee room, opposition urged legislators to reject this change because Iowa voters did not vote for this to be repealed, Iowans do not want to live in a state with limited outdoor opportunities, and that without the fund, conservationists and farmers would be working against each other instead of together. Despite the many groups presenting against the resolution, it moved forward.
SF 161: This bill would require the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship (IDALS) to conduct a study on nitrogen fertilizers that are at least 25% nitrogen. This study would be funded by the general fund and designed to help produce farming practices and technological innovations that would limit nitrogen-based fertilizer usage on farmland. The subcommittee recommended passage.
HSB 165: This bill is being called the Freedom to Garden Act, giving landowners the freedom to plant whatever they would like on their land without regulation. The goal of the bill is to allow landowners to garden any fruit or vegetable they desire for personal use. This act would only apply to plants and local governments would still have the ability to regulate livestock production. This bill also does not apply to controlled substances or to producing plants for sale. The Freedom to Garden Act moved out of subcommittee.
Environmental Day at the Capitol: The Capitol was crowded on Wednesday (February 19) with many environmental organizations attending Environmental Day at the Capitol to discuss their key issues with policy makers. Organizations such as the Iowa Environmental Council, Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, and the Blank Park Zoo were in attendance, along with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, county conservation boards, and more. They focused their efforts on the subcommittee for SJR 6 and packed the room with advocates fighting to keep the natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund open. Throughout the day the organizations tabled at the rotunda and provided research to support Iowa natural resources and programs.
Between farmlands and conservation efforts, Iowa is a force for environmental regulation conversation. These bills are moving toward the next step in the legislative process, it’s time to get involved with SJR 6, SF 161, or HSB 165, contact your Senator & Representative now before these bills move out of committee and become safe from the approaching “funnel” deadline (March 7).
This blog post was written by Jessica Seelinger, who is interning with LWVIA lobbyists at The Advocacy Cooperative. Jessica is a graduate student at Drake University and has worked previously in county conservation.