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SF2318 • 2026

A bill for an act relating to nonresident deer hunting licenses. (Formerly SSB 3127 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

A bill for an act relating to nonresident deer hunting licenses. (Formerly SSB 3127 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
Last action
2026-05-15
Official status
Signed by Governor . S.J. 1031 .
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about which zones are exempt from the requirement or how many nonresidents will be affected, leaving these points as unknowns.

Nonresident Deer Hunting License Act

This act changes the requirements for nonresidents to purchase deer hunting licenses in Iowa.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires nonresidents who buy an antlered or any sex deer hunting license to also buy an antlerless deer only license at the same time, unless a specific zone allows otherwise.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Nonresident hunters who want to buy deer hunting licenses in Iowa.

Terms To Know

Antlered Deer
A male deer with antlers.
Any Sex Deer Hunting License
A license that allows hunters to hunt both male and female deer.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The act does not specify which zones are exempt from the requirement of purchasing an antlerless deer only license.
  • It is unclear how many nonresidents will be affected by this change in licensing requirements.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-15 Iowa Legislature

    Signed by Governor . S.J. 1031 .

  2. 2026-05-05 Iowa Legislature

    Reported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor. S.J. 1028 .

  3. 2026-05-01 Iowa Legislature

    Explanation of vote. H.J. 1082 .

  4. 2026-04-27 Iowa Legislature

    Message from House. S.J. 880 .

  5. 2026-04-23 Iowa Legislature

    Immediate message. H.J. 996 .

  6. 2026-04-23 Iowa Legislature

    Passed House , yeas 86, nays 0. H.J. 990 .

  7. 2026-03-26 Iowa Legislature

    Placed on calendar under unfinished business. H.J. 760 .

  8. 2026-03-19 Iowa Legislature

    Placed on calendar. H.J. 710 .

  9. 2026-03-18 Iowa Legislature

    Committee vote: Yeas, 19. Nays, 0. Excused, 2. H.J. 710 .

  10. 2026-03-18 Iowa Legislature

    Committee report, recommending passage. H.J. 710 .

  11. 2026-03-03 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee recommends passage.

  12. 2026-03-02 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee Meeting: 03/03/2026 8:30AM RM 304.

  13. 2026-02-26 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee: Collins, Baeth and Harris. H.J. 461 .

  14. 2026-02-25 Iowa Legislature

    Read first time, referred to Natural Resources. H.J. 417 .

  15. 2026-02-24 Iowa Legislature

    Message from Senate. H.J. 412 .

  16. 2026-02-24 Iowa Legislature

    Immediate message. S.J. 392 .

  17. 2026-02-24 Iowa Legislature

    Passed Senate , yeas 48, nays 0. S.J. 389 .

  18. 2026-02-12 Iowa Legislature

    Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 284 .

  19. 2026-02-12 Iowa Legislature

    Introduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 273 .

Official Summary Text

A bill for an act relating to nonresident deer hunting licenses. (Formerly SSB 3127 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
STATE OF IOWA
KIM REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
May 15, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
Senate File 23 1 8, an Act relating to nonresident deer hunting licenses.
The above Senate File is hereby approved on this date.
Sincerely,
Governor of Iowa
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
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Senate File 2318
AN ACT
RELATING TO NONRESIDENT DEER HUNTING LICENSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. Section 483A.8, subsection 3, paragraph b. Code
2026, is amended to read as follows:
b. A nonresident who purchases an antlered or any sex deer
hunting license pursuant to rules adopted pursuant to section
483A.1— is required to purchase an antlerless deer only deer
hunting license at the same time unless the zone in which the
nonresident is purchasing the antlered or any sex deer hunting
Senate File 2318, p. 2
license is designated by the commission as not required ,
pursuant to rules adopted pursuant to section 483A.1.
AMY SINCJ/AIR PAT GRASSLEY
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate and
is known as Senate File 2318, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approved
W. CHARLES SMITHSON
Secretly of ±he Senate
2026
K kim rb^oj/ds (j
Governor