HF 2617: A bill for an act relating to abandoned vehicles. - Iowa

Enrolled with Governor's Action → Reprinted · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reprinted with significant substantive changes to the abandoned vehicle process. The most critical change is the extension of the reclaim period from ten days to twenty days, giving owners more time to retrieve their vehicles. Additionally, the bill now explicitly allows vehicle owners to retrieve essential personal items like medication, keys, and identification without paying fees or reclaiming the entire vehicle. The notice requirements were also expanded to include specific statements about the twenty-day window and the right to contest fees.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to clarify the definition of reclaimable personal property and to mandate more detailed public notices regarding the extended timeline and owner rights.

TIMELINE

The time allowed for vehicle owners to reclaim their abandoned vehicles was increased from ten days to twenty days.

REQUIREMENT

A new provision allows registered owners to retrieve specific essential personal items (such as prescription medication, keys, and identification) from inside the vehicle without paying fees or reclaiming the vehicle itself.

Notice requirements were updated to explicitly inform owners of the twenty-day reclaim period and their right to contest fees or planned disposition.

New requirements mandate that garagekeepers display their business hours, contact information, and fees in a manner visible to visitors and online.

DEFINITION

The statute was restructured to clearly define which personal property items are considered 'readily accessible' and exempt from the vehicle's lien.

Enrolled → Enrolled with Governor's Action · 5 edits · May 18, 2026

MODERATE

This bill amends Iowa's abandoned vehicle laws to require tow companies to accept credit card payments for release fees, extend the notice period for vehicle owners from ten to twenty days, and allow owners to reclaim specific essential personal items (like medication and tools) without taking the entire vehicle. It also mandates that tow companies display their daily storage and impound fees publicly and preempts local ordinances regarding abandoned vehicle towing.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of personal property owners can reclaim from impounded vehicles and extends the timeline for owners to respond to notice of impoundment.

REQUIREMENT

Requires private towing entities to accept credit card payments when releasing an abandoned vehicle to its owner.

Allows vehicle owners to reclaim specific essential personal items (such as prescription medication, tools of trade, and identification) from the vehicle once, without needing to reclaim the entire vehicle.

Mandates that private entities display daily storage and impound fees at their place of business and on their website if applicable.

TIMELINE

Increases the notice period for abandoned vehicles from ten days to twenty days, giving owners more time to reclaim their property.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes state preemption, overriding any county or municipal ordinances that conflict with the new state rules for towing abandoned vehicles.

Signed Enrolled Bill (PDF) → Enrolled · 4 edits · May 18, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and formatted for official enactment, removing the Governor's signature block and correcting line breaks and spacing. Substantively, the text includes new provisions allowing private tow companies to accept credit cards for vehicle release fees, defining specific personal items (like keys and phones) that owners can reclaim without retrieving the entire vehicle, and establishing a state-wide rule that overrides local towing ordinances.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on abandoned vehicles, but it now explicitly preempts county and municipal ordinances regarding towing, ensuring uniform rules across the state.

REQUIREMENT

Requires private entities to accept credit card payments when releasing a vehicle before it is removed from the impound lot.

DEFINITION

Defines specific personal property items, such as keys, credit cards, and tools of trade, that owners can reclaim from inside an abandoned vehicle without taking the whole vehicle.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes state preemption, meaning local county or city laws regarding abandoned vehicle towing are overridden by this state law.

TECHNICAL

Removed the Governor's signature block and corrected formatting errors, line breaks, and spacing to prepare the bill for official publication.

Introduced → Signed Enrolled Bill (PDF) · 5 edits · May 18, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was transitioned from a draft legislative text to a signed enrolled bill, adding official signatures and formal formatting. Substantively, the bill expanded the definition of an abandoned vehicle to include vehicles illegally parked on private property and updated the reclamation timeline from ten days to twenty days. It also introduced new requirements for private towing companies to accept credit card payments and allowed lienholders to pay a fee to inspect abandoned vehicles.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include vehicles illegally parked on private property as 'abandoned' vehicles, whereas the previous version focused primarily on public property and specific inoperable conditions.

DEFINITION

The definition of an 'abandoned vehicle' was broadened to explicitly include vehicles illegally parked on private property for more than 24 hours.

The bill now explicitly lists specific items considered 'personal property' (e.g., medications, prosthetics, tools of trade) that owners can reclaim from inside a vehicle without reclaiming the vehicle itself.

TIMELINE

The period for vehicle owners to reclaim their vehicles after receiving notice was extended from ten days to twenty days.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that private towing entities must accept credit card payments when releasing vehicles to owners before they are towed away.

A new provision allows lienholders to pay a fee (up to $100) to inspect the condition of an abandoned vehicle while it is in the custody of a private entity.

A bill for an act relating to abandoned vehicles.

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