House File 473 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 473 BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES (SUCCESSOR TO HF 107) A BILL FOR An Act relating to operation of all-terrain vehicles or 1 off-road utility vehicles on public hunting areas. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 TLSB 1619HV (1) 91 sb/js
H.F. 473 Section 1. Section 321I.10, Code 2025, is amended by adding 1 the following new subsection: 2 NEW SUBSECTION . 8. Notwithstanding any other provision 3 of law to the contrary, a registered all-terrain vehicle or 4 off-road utility vehicle may be operated on a public hunting 5 area, as defined in section 481A.123, subsection 4, for the 6 express purpose of transporting a lawfully taken deer carcass 7 out of the public hunting area. Any operator or passenger of 8 the all-terrain vehicle or off-road utility vehicle on the 9 vehicle pursuant to this subsection must wear apparel described 10 in section 481A.122, subsection 1, until the deer carcass has 11 been transported out of the public hunting area. 12 EXPLANATION 13 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 14 the explanations substance by the members of the general assembly. 15 This bill relates to the operation of all-terrain vehicles 16 or off-road utility vehicles on a public hunting area. The 17 bill allows for the operation of all-terrain vehicles or 18 off-road utility vehicles on a public hunting area for the 19 express purpose of removing a lawfully taken deer carcass. 20 The bill requires the all-terrain vehicle or off-road utility 21 vehicle operator and all passengers to wear a visible blaze 22 orange vest, coat, jacket, sweatshirt, sweater, shirt, or 23 coveralls until the deer carcass has been removed from the 24 public hunting area. 25 Under current law, the natural resource commission (NRC) 26 may prohibit operation of all-terrain vehicles or off-road 27 utility vehicles on public lands, public ice, or designated 28 riding trails in the interest of safety for persons, property, 29 or the environment. Additionally, barring limited exceptions, 30 operation of an all-terrain vehicle or off-road utility vehicle 31 is prohibited in any park, wildlife area, preserve, refuge, 32 game management area, or navigable stream, except on designated 33 riding areas and trails. 34 Under current law, a person in violation of relevant 35 -1- LSB 1619HV (1) 91 sb/js 1/ 2
H.F. 473 all-terrain vehicle or off-road utility vehicle prohibitions 1 is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled 2 fine of $135. A person convicted may also be assessed a civil 3 penalty of $250 to be deposited in the special all-terrain 4 vehicle fund, may be ordered to pay restitution for damage 5 caused by the violation, and may have registration and permit 6 privileges revoked or suspended. 7 -2- LSB 1619HV (1) 91 sb/js 2/ 2