There was extensive floor debate in both the Iowa House and Senate last week as the legislature wrapped up the 11th week of the 2025 session. 

This week marks the second funnel deadline, when most policy bills need to have passed one chamber and must have moved out of committee in the other chamber in order to remain alive for the rest of the session. Many bills aren't subject to the funnel deadline, including those considered by the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees. 

Pesticide liability

Senate File 394 passed the Senate last week and moves to the House for consideration. 

The bill provides liability protections to EPA-approved pesticides by deeming that the federally approved product label sufficiently satisfies warning requirements. 

Farm Bureau policy supports the continued safe use of agriculture crop protection compounds. Farm Bureau supports.

Public Land Fence Law

Senate File 616 ensures that publicly held land is required to pay for their half of a boundary fence according to the fence law. The bill identifies current funding streams from the state’s general fund for the Department of Natural Resources and county conservation boards to pay for their portion of the costs for boundary fence construction or repair. 

The bill advanced out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is eligible for consideration on the Senate floor. Farm Bureau supports.

Property tax reform

House Study Bill 313 and Senate Study Bill 1208 propose transformational change to Iowa's property tax system. This property tax plan would result in a significant property tax reduction on agricultural land across the state, and Farm Bureau policy is supportive of many provisions in the bill. 

The bill also contains a concerning provision that would change the tax treatment for new agricultural buildings/grain facilities, resulting in a higher tax bill for buildings built after Jan. 1, 2026, compared to similar structures built prior to that date. 

Both bills advanced out of subcommittee and are eligible for consideration in their respective Ways and Means Committee. 

Farm Bureau will continue to work with the Iowa Legislature to ensure the property tax bill is a net positive for current farmers and farmers who are expanding their operations with new buildings/grain handling facilities — including beginning farmers, who often get their start with a livestock building.