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HSB 257

A bill for an act relating to the size requirement of a farm unit for purposes of receiving special turkey and deer hunting licenses.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Raises the farm-unit threshold from 2 to 40 acres for special turkey and deer licenses, narrowing eligibility for owners/tenants with smaller parcels.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 892.
#deer #farming #hunting #turkeys
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Bill Summary · HSB 257

Summary: HSB 257 (Renumbered HF 892) – Farm Unit Size Requirement for Special Turkey and Deer Hunting Licenses

Overview

HSB 257, introduced February 25, 2025, proposes to change the size threshold for what constitutes a “farm unit” for purposes of receiving special turkey and deer hunting licenses. The bill was reported out of committee with amendment and renumbered as HF 892.

What the bill would change

  • Current law (Code 483A.24): A “farm unit” can include parcels of land in tracts of two or more contiguous acres.
  • Proposed change: The definition would be amended to require parcels to be in tracts of 40 or more contiguous acres to be part of a farm unit.
  • License provision unchanged in concept: Under Code 483A.24, an owner or tenant of a farm unit may receive special turkey and deer hunting licenses for use on that farm unit. The bill changes only the size threshold for what qualifies as a farm unit.

Who would be affected

  • Farm unit owners and tenants seeking access to special turkey and deer hunting licenses for use on their farm unit.
  • Landowners with smaller parcels (fewer than 40 contiguous acres): Likely to lose eligibility for farm-unit-based special licenses under the new definition.
  • Hunting license administration and wildlife management programs: Would apply the updated farm-unit definition once enacted.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 25, 2025; referred to Natural Resources.
  • Subcommittee: Meeting held February 27, with the subcommittee consisting of Fisher, Kurth, and Wengryn.
  • Subcommittee action (3/4/2025): Recommends passage.
  • Committee action (3/4/2025): Committee report recommending amendment and passage; vote 21 yeas, 0 nays.
  • Status update (3/7/2025): Committee report approved and the bill renumbered as HF 892.
  • The bill’s subject areas include deer, farming, hunting, and turkeys.

Key points to understand

  • The primary impact of HSB 257 is to increase the minimum farm-unit size from 2 acres to 40 acres for eligibility to receive special licenses.
  • The eligibility to use these licenses remains tied to ownership or tenancy of the farm unit, but eligibility would now be limited to farm units that meet the 40-acre threshold.
  • This change could affect individuals or entities with smaller tracts who previously qualified under the 2-acre rule.

Conclusion

If enacted, HF 892 will significantly raise the qualifying size of land needed to form a farm unit for the purpose of obtaining special turkey and deer hunting licenses, shifting eligibility toward larger agricultural lands and potentially reducing license access for smaller landowners. The bill has cleared committee and awaits floor consideration following its renumbering.

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

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