A bill to prohibit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from buying land at an auction to expand state parks has failed to clear a key deadline in the state legislature. However, Republican Representative Austin Harris of Moulton says it could be revived as an amendment to another bill still eligible for debate.
For several years farm groups have been lobbying legislators to enact some kind of limit to prevent ag land from being acquired for public parks or recreation. Jake Swanson is a lobbyist for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
Conservation and hunting groups oppose the bill, saying it would restrict the state’s ability to act on opportunities to expand public lands. Jim Todd of Boone testified against the bill during a subcommittee hearing.
The bill passed the Senate at the end of February on a 30-to-17, with one Republican joining Democrats in opposing it.
