Committee declines to discuss controversial public lands bill • Iowa Capital Dispatch

A committee of the Iowa House did not consider a bill it was set to discuss Wednesday that would limit land purchases by the state Department of Natural Resources, potentially dooming its passage this legislative session.

Senate File 2324 would prevent the department from obtaining new public land at auction or from not-for-profit organizations that bought the land at auction.

It has faced considerable opposition from conservation and hunting groups, counties and residents for its potential to limit the expansion of public, outdoor spaces. It is backed by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to help keep cheaper farmland available to livestock producers.

The bill was rejected by a House subcommittee in February, but the Senate modified and approved it two weeks ago. That version was recommended Tuesday by a different House subcommittee that was led by the bill’s author, Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton.

The bill needs support from a full House committee this week to remain viable, under Iowa’s legislative rules. It had been scheduled for a State Government committee vote Wednesday morning, but committee chairperson Rep. Jane Bloomingdale, R-Northwood, declined to call it for consideration.

“Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is grateful to the Iowans who made it clear that they support the growth of public parks, trails and wildlife areas in our state,” said Anna Gray, public policy director for the foundation. “We are pleased that this bill didn’t advance any further in the House and thank the legislators who listened.”

The DNR is set to recognize the foundation during a Thursday afternoon event at the Capitol for selling 368 acres of land to the state for less than market value. The department said it was equivalent to a $466,000 donation.

Harris said Tuesday that the bill was merely meant to codify existing DNR policy to avoid auctions for land purchases. However, that policy is not absolute, whereas the bill has no exceptions.

Harris did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.