By Ron Kuntz
Now that the Iowa Legislature has recessed until 2011 and the Governor has signed the appropriate outdoor bills, I will discuss the importance of those with you. The following bills were signed by the House, Senate and the Governor and are important: 1) House File 2310 which is a bill relating to farmers raising and releasing pen raised pheasants, originating from a hatchery approved by the Department of Natural Resources, allowing farmers to release pen raised birds on their own land.
I think I have discussed this in depth in my prior articles. I feel it is a very good bill, allowing some of the farmers to partake in outdoor activities such as pheasant rearing.
The only organizations that were against this bill were a few national organizations; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Coon Hunters Association and the Trappers Association were undecided on this bill however, the Iowa Sportsman Federation was for this bill.
The most important bill that was passed by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor was a bill standardizing concealed weapon permits. After years of discussions by law makers, the House and Senate approved a bill to standardize the way sheriffs in all 99 counties issue or deny permits to carry weapons as well as their training standards.
The bill is often referred to as the “Shall Issue” bill and beginning on January 1st, 2011, County Sheriffs will have 30 days to either approve or deny an application to carry a concealed weapon. If the sheriff does not take action on the application within 30 days, the application is automatically approved.
Another important bill that was passed is SF 2310, a bill allowing “NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TRUST FUND” to implement a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa, providing for contingent implementation.
As of this fall, the Constitution of the State of Iowa will have an amendment to be voted on by the public on the back page of the ballad which is often referred to as “IOWA’S WATER & LAND LEGACY”.
You should be advised that in order to amend the Constitution of the State of Iowa the Constitutional Amendment has to be passed by two successive sessions of the State Senate and the House of Representatives and then goes to the people of Iowa to be voted on as a Constitutional Amendment.
This Constitutional Amendment will allow a certain small percentage of increased sales tax to go to the Iowa Trust Fund. This Constitutional Amendment is referred to as SF 2310 and is a bill for an act creating a “NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TRUST FUND” to implement a proposed amendment to the Constitution to the State of Iowa. SF2310, HF 2503, often referred to as “Sustainable Funding, Spending Guidelines”, which were passed by the Legislature, signed by the Governor and will become law when and if the “Iowa Legacy” is voted for by the public in the fall election.
Sustainable Funding Spending Guidelines are as follows: “Includes provisions to implement the collection and spending of any sales tax increase for natural resources and recreation, should the voters approve the constitutional amendment in November and in the future a sales tax increase.
The House, Senate and the Governor have done their part in providing you with these bills, please be advised that you should all vote for the Sustainable Funding, often referred to “Iowa’s Water & Land Legacy Act” this fall in order to provide the same protection of the environment as is provided in the following states: Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Iowa should follow suit.
Please contact me by calling at (515) 283-2330, emailing me at dmlaw@qwestoffice.net or by writing to 405 – 6th Avenue, Suite 940, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
Now that the Iowa Legislature has recessed until 2011 and the Governor has signed the appropriate outdoor bills, I will discuss the importance of those with you. The following bills were signed by the House, Senate and the Governor and are important: 1) House File 2310 which is a bill relating to farmers raising and releasing pen raised pheasants, originating from a hatchery approved by the Department of Natural Resources, allowing farmers to release pen raised birds on their own land.
I think I have discussed this in depth in my prior articles. I feel it is a very good bill, allowing some of the farmers to partake in outdoor activities such as pheasant rearing.
The only organizations that were against this bill were a few national organizations; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Coon Hunters Association and the Trappers Association were undecided on this bill however, the Iowa Sportsman Federation was for this bill.
The most important bill that was passed by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor was a bill standardizing concealed weapon permits. After years of discussions by law makers, the House and Senate approved a bill to standardize the way sheriffs in all 99 counties issue or deny permits to carry weapons as well as their training standards.
The bill is often referred to as the “Shall Issue” bill and beginning on January 1st, 2011, County Sheriffs will have 30 days to either approve or deny an application to carry a concealed weapon. If the sheriff does not take action on the application within 30 days, the application is automatically approved.
Another important bill that was passed is SF 2310, a bill allowing “NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TRUST FUND” to implement a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa, providing for contingent implementation.
As of this fall, the Constitution of the State of Iowa will have an amendment to be voted on by the public on the back page of the ballad which is often referred to as “IOWA’S WATER & LAND LEGACY”.
You should be advised that in order to amend the Constitution of the State of Iowa the Constitutional Amendment has to be passed by two successive sessions of the State Senate and the House of Representatives and then goes to the people of Iowa to be voted on as a Constitutional Amendment.
This Constitutional Amendment will allow a certain small percentage of increased sales tax to go to the Iowa Trust Fund. This Constitutional Amendment is referred to as SF 2310 and is a bill for an act creating a “NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TRUST FUND” to implement a proposed amendment to the Constitution to the State of Iowa. SF2310, HF 2503, often referred to as “Sustainable Funding, Spending Guidelines”, which were passed by the Legislature, signed by the Governor and will become law when and if the “Iowa Legacy” is voted for by the public in the fall election.
Sustainable Funding Spending Guidelines are as follows: “Includes provisions to implement the collection and spending of any sales tax increase for natural resources and recreation, should the voters approve the constitutional amendment in November and in the future a sales tax increase.
- Natural Resources Account = 23%
- Soil Conservation & Water Protection Account = 20%
- Watershed Protection Account = 14%
- REAP = 13%
- Trails Account = 10%
- Lake Restoration Account = 7%
The House, Senate and the Governor have done their part in providing you with these bills, please be advised that you should all vote for the Sustainable Funding, often referred to “Iowa’s Water & Land Legacy Act” this fall in order to provide the same protection of the environment as is provided in the following states: Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Iowa should follow suit.
Please contact me by calling at (515) 283-2330, emailing me at dmlaw@qwestoffice.net or by writing to 405 – 6th Avenue, Suite 940, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
