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SF 2099

A bill for an act relating to animal torture, and providing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lynn Evans

SF 2099 raises penalties for animal torture to a Class D felony (with Class C for recidivists) and aligns harsher penalties across related animal-crime offenses.

Withdrawn.
#animalcruelty #bestiality #canineanimals #criminallaw #felonies #misdemeanors
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Bill Summary · SF 2099

Summary: Senate File 2099 (SF 2099) – Animal Torture, Criminal Offense and Penalty

Session: 2025-2026 | Jurisdiction: Iowa

Purpose and Intent

SF 2099 broadens and intensifies penalties for animal abuse by redefining “animal torture” and increasing related punishment. The bill aims to elevate cruel treatment of animals to a higher level of offenses and to enhance penalties for individuals with prior related offenses (recidivism). It also aligns penalties across several related offenses (torture, neglect, service-dog injury, bestiality, and prohibited animal contests).

Key Provisions

  • Create/clarify offense of animal torture:
    • A person commits animal torture if they intentionally or knowingly:
    • crushes, burns, drowns, suffocates, impales, or otherwise subjects an animal to serious injury or death; or
    • causes, directs, or provides anything of value to another person to do the same.
  • Penalty changes:
    • Animal torture: increases penalty from aggravated misdemeanor to Class D felony.
    • A person previously convicted of related offenses (recidivism) would face enhanced penalties:
    • If previously convicted of animal abuse (717B.2), animal neglect punishable as serious misdemeanor or aggravated misdemeanor (717B.3), animal torture under the bill, injury to/interference with a police service dog (717B.9), bestiality (717C.1), or prohibited animal contest (717D.2): Class C felony.
  • Classifications and penalties (assessed in the fiscal note):
    • Class D felony: up to 5 years in prison; fine range typically about $1,025–$10,245 (official range cited: at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245).
    • Class C felony: up to 10 years in prison; fine range typically about $1,370–$13,660.
  • Transition and timing:
    • The bill envisions a six-month delay from the effective date before the first offenders enter the correctional system (for planning and implementation purposes).

Affected Parties and Scope

  • Individuals:
    • New offenses: those who torture animals as defined.
    • Recidivists: individuals with prior convictions for listed related offenses may face higher penalties (Class C felony).
  • Offenses impacted:
    • Animal torture (717B.3A(1), (4), (5) as referenced).
    • Related offenses that trigger enhanced penalties: animal neglect (serious or aggravated misdemeanor), injury to or interference with a police service dog (717B.9), bestiality (717C.1), prohibited animal contests (717D.2).
  • Institutions:
    • Iowa Judicial Branch, Indigent Defense Fund, and Department of Corrections (DOC) will bear operating costs associated with prison and parole supervision if convictions occur.

Procedural and Fiscal Aspects

  • Fiscal note indicates overall fiscal impact is minimal, but costs rise per offense due to higher penalties and potential longer supervision (prison, parole, CBC).
  • Estimated average state cost increases per offense:
    • Class D felony (current contrast): approximately $8,300–$12,200; with the bill’s increase to Class D, marginal increase about $4,700–$5,900 per offense.
    • Class C felony (new or enhanced): approximately $15,000–$25,200 per offense; marginal increase about $2,000–$7,100 over prior penalties.
  • Projection assumptions include stable criminal justice processes, a six-month implementation lag, and county jail marginal costs estimated at $50 per day (for budgeting references).
  • Minority impact: Not determinable from available data; detailed analysis referenced in the fiscal note.

Status and Legislative Track

  • Introduced and referred to Judiciary; subcommittee and committee actions occurred in early 2026.
  • Action history shows amendments and substitutions (e.g., HF 2348 substituted; bill progression through committee and calendar actions).

Practical Implications

  • Greater deterrence through harsher penalties for severe abuse of animals.
  • Increased consequences for repeat offenders across related animal-crime categories.
  • Potentially higher prison and probation caseloads, with corresponding costs allocated across state agencies.
  • Clear alignment of penalties to reflect the severity of animal cruelty offenses and prior offender history.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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