(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Newly proposed legislation would prevent the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from bidding on private land at auction and from acquiring the land from conservation organizations that obtained it in a “competitive manner.” It is the latest attempt by Republican lawmakers to restrict the state’s acquisitions in favor of making the land available to livestock producers. Sen. Annette Sweeney, R-Alden, who recommended Senate Study Bill 3129 for further consideration, Wednesday.

The bill was introduced the day before and was swiftly scheduled for a subcommittee hearing Wednesday morning, a move that drew criticism from some who attended the hearing because they said it limited public participation in the discussion. Still, a sizeable showing of 30 residents and lobbyists voiced their opposition. A similar bill in the Iowa House is set for subcommittee consideration today (Thursday). Fred Long, president of the Iowa Conservation Alliance and others, say the “competitive manner” clause that applies to not-for-profit organizations that obtain land and either donate or sell it to the DNR is so broad that it might eliminate such land transfers.

Sweeney and Sen. Tom Shipley, R-Nodaway, who also recommended the bill, acknowledged that it needs to be tweaked but did not say how it specifically might be amended. Legislation last year that was approved by the Senate but stalled in the House would have prioritized the DNR’s maintenance of state wildlife areas, parks and public trails over new acquisitions. It was broadly panned by conservationists, hunters and cyclists for its ambiguous language that had the potential to block the acquisitions.

Among the few groups that have registered support for this year’s legislation is the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Matt Gronewald, its state policy advisory, said Wednesday: “Government should not be in the business of competing with citizens.” Farm Bureau has argued that less-desirable agricultural land that is most often ripe for public acquisition should remain a low-cost option for beginning livestock farmers. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association also favors this year’s bill. But others said the development of public lands is a priority that should not be infringed upon without good reason.