Iowa lawmakers overwhelmingly approved House File 775, the measure that criminalizes certain types of trespass on agricultural lands. The bill is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. Iowa Pork Producer’s Association’s Public Policy Director Drew Mogler says the legislation provides important protections for private property.

He says the way the bill was written should make it withstand any possible court challenge.

Past measures similar to HF 775 were written as what critics called AG GAG LAWs and were disallowed although some of those measures are still being argued in court. Mogler says trespassers who do harm to private property need to be held accountable and 775 will ensure they are.

The Iowa House passed HF 775 on a 72 to 20 vote while the Senate earlier approved it on a 35 to 11 vote. The Governor is expected to sign it.