Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF432

Introduced

2/25/25

Refer

2/25/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the rights and obligations of certain state and local government entities in erecting, rebuilding, or repairing partition fences, including the allocation of moneys from accounts in the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund.(See SF 597, SF 616.)

Impact

The bill effectively modifies existing Iowa fence law by ensuring that government bodies, when managing land, must adhere to the same standards and procedures as private landowners. Specifically, the bill mandates that after fence viewers issue an order for fence maintenance or construction, both the landowner and the government entity must deposit funds sufficient to cover their allocated costs and any associated fees. This requirement promotes fiscal responsibility and equitable treatment between private and public land management, emphasizing collaborative maintenance efforts for shared boundaries.

Summary

Senate File 432 addresses the rights and obligations of certain state and local government entities, specifically the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and county conservation boards, in relation to the erection, rebuilding, and maintenance of partition fences. It stipulates that these entities shall have the same rights and obligations as private landowners in this regard. This alignments aims to clarify the responsibilities of government entities when they manage or control land adjacent to private properties, ensuring that they contribute just as private entities would when it comes to such border infrastructure.

Contention

While the bill appears to streamline the regulatory process concerning partition fences, there may be contention regarding the financial implications for the DNR and conservation boards. Funding for these obligations will come from the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund, which may lead to debates over resource allocation and prioritization within the state budget. Additionally, some stakeholders may express concern over whether the government's participation in fence maintenance impacts their operational effectiveness or impedes their ability to address other environmental or land management priorities.

Latest IA SF432 Activity

View All Events: IA 2025-2026 Regular Session SF432

Companion Bills

IA SF597

Similar To A bill for an act relating to the rights and obligations of certain state and local government entities in erecting, rebuilding, or repairing partition fences, including the allocation of moneys from accounts in the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund.(Formerly SF 432; See SF 616.)

IA HSB195

Related A bill for an act requiring the department of natural resources to comply with requirements governing the erection and maintenance of partition fences.

IA SF616

Previously Filed As

IA SSB3172

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions.(See SF 2385.)

IA SSB1210

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection.(See SF 558.)

IA SSB3196

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection.(See SF 2421.)

IA HSB710

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including transition provisions.(See HF 2574.)

IA HF2574

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including transition provisions.(Formerly HSB 710.)

IA SF2421

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 3196.) Conditional effective date.

IA SF2385

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions. (Formerly SSB 3172.) Effective date: 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

IA SF550

A bill for an act relating to state and local revenue and finances by modifying sales and use taxes, the charitable conservation contribution tax credit available against individual and corporate income taxes, the water service tax, property taxes, transit funding, and local option taxes, crediting moneys to the natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund, modifying allocations of road use tax fund moneys, making appropriations, and including effective date, retroactive applicability, and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1125.)

IA HF2694

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities associated with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection, making related statutory changes, and including effective date provisions.

IA SSB3144

A bill for an act relating to the organization, structure, and functions of state and local governments, providing for salaries of certain state officers, making statutory corrections, resolving inconsistencies, removing ambiguities, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2377, SF 2416.)