This bill authorizes specific funding for the Iowa Department of Transportation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, drawing from the Road Use Tax Fund and the Primary Road Fund. The legislation allocates money for various operational needs, including salaries for over 2,600 employees, maintenance of roads and facilities, modernization of vehicle registration systems, and support for driver licensing services. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for how any leftover funds from certain maintenance and modernization projects must be used, ensuring they remain available for up to three years after the fiscal year ends rather than reverting to the state treasury.
This bill establishes funding and operational rules for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to promote state-produced agricultural products. It allocates up to $1.75 million annually for renewable fuel infrastructure at retail fuel stations and creates a Choose Iowa promotional program that allows farms and businesses to use a state logo for marketing their products. The legislation also creates two new purchasing programs: one that matches school district spending on eligible Iowa food products with state funds, and another that reimburses food banks and emergency feeding organizations on a one-dollar-for-one-dollar basis when they buy from participating Iowa producers. These programs are limited to specific food categories and include administrative caps and reporting requirements to ensure accountability.
SF 378 increases Iowa's default speed limit for all vehicular traffic from 55 mph to 60 mph on roads without specific posted limits. This affects all drivers traveling on most state highways and roads where no special speed zones (like school districts at 25 mph or interstates at 70 mph) apply. The bill also allows transportation agencies to temporarily use approved stickers on existing signs when updating speed limits, rather than replacing signs immediately. It does not change existing speed limits for specific areas (like school zones) or penalties for speeding violations.
SF 2426 requires commercial drivers in Iowa to demonstrate English language proficiency meeting federal standards (49 C.F.R. §391.11(b)(2)) to obtain or renew a commercial driver's license. The bill mandates a computer-based English proficiency exam administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation, with exemptions for those who previously passed the test. Drivers who fail to meet the requirement face a serious misdemeanor charge ($1,000 fine), while commercial motor carriers employing unproficient drivers risk fines up to $10,000 per violation. The law takes effect March 1, 2027, or upon implementation of a new state records system, whichever comes first.
HF 766 modifies regulations for motor vehicle window tint, directly affecting individuals who operate vehicles on Iowa highways. The bill establishes specific light transmittance standards in state law, removing the Department of Transportation's authority to set these rules. It prohibits front windshields from having less than 70% light transmittance and side windows immediately next to or forward of the driver from having less than 50% light transmittance. Operating a vehicle in violation of these standards would be subject to a scheduled fine.
This Iowa bill extends the expiration date for the biodiesel blended fuel tax credit from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2033. The change directly affects retail dealers who sell biodiesel fuel blends, allowing them to continue claiming a state income tax credit for promoting these fuels. By updating the relevant tax code sections, the legislation ensures that dealers whose tax years do not align with the original repeal date can still claim the credit for a full calendar year. The bill also clarifies how the credit amount should be calculated for dealers claiming it in the year following the extension period.
This Iowa bill modifies the state tax refund program specifically for biodiesel producers. The legislation increases the refund rate from four cents to five cents per gallon of biodiesel produced within the state. It also extends the expiration date for this tax benefit from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031. These adjustments apply to the total number of gallons produced by eligible producers during each quarter of a calendar year.
This bill creates a new state fund to provide financial assistance for building highway overpasses and underpasses across railway tracks. The Department of Transportation will manage the fund and distribute grants to cities and counties to help cover construction costs. Unlike current rules that only apply to cities, this measure extends similar support to counties, ensuring both local governments can address safety and convenience issues related to railway crossings. The bill also specifies that any interest earned on the fund will remain within it and that the money will not automatically revert to the general treasury at the end of each fiscal year.
HF 2655 amends Iowa law to clarify that drivers of authorized emergency vehicles (including police officers riding bicycles in the line of duty) may proceed through red lights after slowing safely and exceed speed limits without reckless endangerment. The bill explicitly extends these traffic exemptions to privately owned emergency vehicles like towing trucks and specifies the conditions under which officers may operate without audible or visual warning devices (e.g., pursuing speed violators or transporting critical patients). These exemptions remain conditional on using warning devices unless specific safety or operational circumstances apply. The bill does not change which vehicles qualify as emergency vehicles but refines when traffic law exemptions apply.
This bill increases the state funding limit for nonpublic school pupil transportation claims from approximately $8.997 million to $9.184 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The additional funds are specifically designated to reimburse claims that were not previously paid because they were submitted late due to administrative errors. It directs the Iowa Department of Education to use these new moneys to process those delayed reimbursements and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
