I was really trying to stay fairly positive this session but today has gotten the best of me. It may be the winter weather or the white knuckle drive coming to Des Moines last night while missing the Super bowl. In any case, for today, I am done being fair and balanced.
SSB 3119 is a bill from the DNR that was presented in sub-committee today. It does a myriad of different things. Buried deep in the bill is several paragraphs that state; “a penalty will be assessed to anyone who feeds wild animals. A person cannot feed wildlife for view or observation within 50-yards of a residence.” In the bill, wild animals include; birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish.
I don’t think the governors agency thought through this piece of legislation. It would mean you couldn’t fish with live bait, couldn’t feed the ducks, and so much for the bird and squirrel feeders on your property.
Now, I realize that they were trying to get to the idea of not feeding deer; however, a poor thought out bill makes a person wonder who is in charge of our natural resources.
We are spending time on an issue like this rather than coming up with policy that creates more jobs, and balancing the budget. Although other bills are doing the direct opposite, including eliminating federal deductibility and removing Iowa as a right to work state. I can only hope, in the future, the DNR develops some reasonable thought when it comes to well written legislation.
Anyway of using the principles of our Constitution to battle this affront to our freedoms? There is nothing in the nation’s Constitution that gives the Iowa House or Senate the power to enact such a law. I doubt there is anything in the Iowa Constitution either, but this micro management of the people has to be fought back on principle. We will try to get other people to call the Senate to oppose such a bill. Thank you for your hard work.