(Des Moines) The Senate Natural Resources Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would prevent the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from purchasing land at auction.
Senate Study Bill 1198 would limit the DNR to acquiring land only from willing donors or sellers. It would also prohibit the agency from buying land above its appraised value from a nonprofit organization that previously purchased it at auction.
Senator Tom Shipley from Nodaway tells KSOM/KS95 News that this bill is similar to those presented over past legislative sessions. Shipley, who represents southwestern Iowa, said many of his constituents are frustrated with what they see as government overreach in land ownership and management.
Shipley clarified that the bill does not prevent a seller from voluntarily selling land to the DNR. He also pointed out that the agency has not auctioned land in 20 years.
Senator Shipley believes that if leadership determines to bring the bill to the floor, it will go before the entire Senate and then to the House. Shipley believes the House has a companion bill to go along with it.
