This bill appropriates funds for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to various state government entities in Iowa, focusing on agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection. The Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (DALS) is allocated $20,377,294 for various programs, including a new "Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program" to assist food banks, while the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives $12,816,738 for operations, including state park maintenance. The bill also emphasizes that existing funding levels for these programs should not be reduced due to new appropriations, ensuring that allocated funds are utilized effectively.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Iowa Animal Disease Prevention Fund, which will support animal disease prevention strategies and allows for the transfer of unencumbered funds from the previous brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication fund. It modifies existing legal language, including the renaming of the eradication fund and broadening the purposes of the foreign animal disease preparedness and response fund. The bill also extends the annual appropriation from the General Fund to the Iowa Resources Enhancement and Protection (REAP) fund through fiscal year 2027-2028 and allows certain funds to be used by the DNR for state park maintenance and operations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance Iowa's capacity to manage its agricultural and environmental resources effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 99D.13, 187.331, 165.18, 163.3B, 163.3C, 163.15, 164.4, 164.21, 331.559