This bill amends Iowa's animal feeding operations regulations to include shellfish as a category of animals subject to the same regulatory framework as other livestock. Specifically, it modifies Section 459.102 by adding shellfish to the definition of "animal," replacing the previous exclusion of fish with an inclusion of both fish and shellfish. Additionally, the bill introduces new paragraphs that establish equivalency factors for shellfish based on their weight, categorizing them into two subcategories: those weighing twenty-five grams or more and those weighing less than twenty-five grams, with corresponding animal unit calculations.

The bill also outlines the enforcement mechanisms and civil penalties for violations of air and water quality regulations related to animal feeding operations. Violators may face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 for air quality violations and similar penalties for water quality violations, with the possibility of judicially assessed penalties of up to $5,000. Overall, this legislation aims to enhance the regulation of animal feeding operations by incorporating shellfish into existing frameworks, thereby ensuring better management of environmental impacts associated with these operations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 459.102