Highlights from the senate

Tension is building in the legislature as we near the first funnel date on March 11. To remain viable for debate on the floor, bills must have passed through the committee process by this date. There are exceptions: bills passed from the House, leadership bills, and any bills in the Ways & Means and Appropriations Committees.

The state’s growing deer population is an increasing problem for motorists on Iowa’s roads and highways. Annually, an average of 7,400 deer-vehicle collisions are reported in Iowa totaling $13 million in vehicle damage. Ten Iowans were killed in car-deer accidents in each of the last two years. Deer-vehicle crash reports and deer death reports have increased dramatically in recent years. From 1980 through 2002, the number of deer killed on Iowa roadways nearly tripled. In addition to public safety concerns, Iowa’s burgeoning deer population causes major tree and crop damage for landowners and increases the threat of disease.

In an effort to help control the problem, the Senate Natural Resources Committee this week unanimously approved legislation that takes a number of steps to shrink Iowa’s massive deer herd. The legislation would increase the number of free hunting licenses for resident landowners and tenants from six to ten, allow for more special deer hunts and make it mandatory for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue depredation permits, which are designed as population control mechanisms. The bill also would create a reporting system for hunters, which would help state officials track problem areas in the state. While the legislation would not increase permits for deer hunters from other states, it would remove a cap on antlerless tags, which would help better control the deer population. In addition, deer hunters would also be required to pay a $1 surcharge to help pay for a program that reimburses lockers for processing excess deer meat for food banks.

The bill, which is now eligible for debate by the entire Senate, represents an important compromise by hunters, state officials and agricultural and environmental interests.

Representative Quirk and I will be hosting two town meetings on Saturday, March 5th. Starting at 9:00 a.m. we will be at the Cresco Farm Bureau office. Following that, at 10:30, we will be at the Community Center in Lime Springs. We invite you to join us to discuss the issues of concern to you.

SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN

Senate District 8

For further information or clarification, please contact me at the Capitol (515) 281-3371 or at my home (563) 864-3104