A bill for an act relating to the use of automatic registration plate readers, and providing penalties.
HF 2161 regulates the use of automatic license plate readers (APRs) by requiring local governments to first adopt an ordinance authorizing their use. It prohibits accessing captured license plate images or data more than 24 hours after capture without a warrant or subpoena, except for specific cases like stolen vehicles, Amber Alerts (child abductions), or human trafficking investigations. The bill bans using APRs for facial recognition and prohibits placing readers near religious sites, while requiring access logs and banning sharing data with non-governmental third parties. These rules apply to local authorities, law enforcement, and any entity operating APRs in Iowa, with violations punishable as misdemeanors.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 26, 2026
Last action Feb 18, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
6
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Committee amendment H-8006 filed.
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee vote: Yeas, 20. Nays, 0. Excused, 1.
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report, recommending amendment and passage.
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends passage.
legislature
Feb 12, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 02/16/2026 11:00AM RM 103.
legislature
Feb 11, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 02/11/2026 12:00PM RM 305 (Cancelled).
legislature
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee: Jones, Scholten and Young.
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, referred to Transportation.
lower
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
David Young
RRepublican
P
Judd Lawler
RRepublican
P
Megan Jones
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HF 2161
Scope: IA
Hi! I can help you understand HF 2161. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline