A House Natural Resources Subcommittee meeting at the Statehouse was standing room only Monday as supporters and opponents of a new bill made fiery testimonies.Hundreds voiced their opinions on House File 542 -- an act relating to the acquisition of land by certain governmental entities.Supporters said the bill would keep government from having an unfair advantage in buying farmland, but farmers at the hearing shared a much different opinion."Our members are in support of this bill," said Kevin Kuhle, with the Iowa Farm Bureau.Rep. Scott Ourth, D-Indianola, disagreed, saying he has never received more emails, calls or text messages about a bill in his seven years in the Legislature."They called and said, 'I am a member of Farm Bureau Federation in my county and I have to take a stand against this,'" Ourth said.Opponents said HF 542 would restrict states, counties and cities from using state funds to buy new public lands for parks, trails or water quality issues."That will blow up our opportunity to put this land to the use we want it to be in," Iowa farmer Jim Beekly said. "I don't give a damn what Farm Bureau wants to do with my farm. I know what I want to do with it."The Iowa Farm Bureau's efforts to convince legislators that HF 542 is a win for everyone missed its mark.House Majority Leader Chris Hagenow said the bill will not move forward in the House, but a similar bill in the Senate will be voted on by a full committee by the end of the week.

A House Natural Resources Subcommittee meeting at the Statehouse was standing room only Monday as supporters and opponents of a new bill made fiery testimonies.


Hundreds voiced their opinions on House File 542 -- an act relating to the acquisition of land by certain governmental entities.

Supporters said the bill would keep government from having an unfair advantage in buying farmland, but farmers at the hearing shared a much different opinion.

"Our members are in support of this bill," said Kevin Kuhle, with the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Rep. Scott Ourth, D-Indianola, disagreed, saying he has never received more emails, calls or text messages about a bill in his seven years in the Legislature.

"They called and said, 'I am a member of Farm Bureau Federation in my county and I have to take a stand against this,'" Ourth said.

Opponents said HF 542 would restrict states, counties and cities from using state funds to buy new public lands for parks, trails or water quality issues.

"That will blow up our opportunity to put this land to the use we want it to be in," Iowa farmer Jim Beekly said. "I don't give a damn what Farm Bureau wants to do with my farm. I know what I want to do with it."

The Iowa Farm Bureau's efforts to convince legislators that HF 542 is a win for everyone missed its mark.

House Majority Leader Chris Hagenow said the bill will not move forward in the House, but a similar bill in the Senate will be voted on by a full committee by the end of the week.