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 creates a new Scenic Byways Enhancement Fund in Iowa to support the maintenance and improvement of scenic roads across the state. The fund will be financed through voluntary one-dollar contributions collected from vehicle registration applicants and existing state transfers, with all collected money going to the state treasury except for a small portion counties may keep. The state department of transportation will manage the fund to cover costs for litter prevention, upkeep, and development of scenic routes. The legislation takes effect on January 1, 2027, and requires the department to establish rules for administering the program.
HF 2268 updates Iowa's motor vehicle regulations, primarily affecting drivers with chauffeur's instruction permits. It increases the fee for these permits to $12 (from $6 for standard instruction permits) and requires them to face the same suspension or revocation rules as regular driver's licenses. The bill also mandates that accident reports involving injuries, deaths, or $5,500+ in property damage must be submitted electronically within 72 hours. Additionally, it standardizes electronic reporting for all accident documentation and clarifies that chauffeur's permits issued before the law's effective date remain valid until their expiration.
HF 2353 creates a scenic byways enhancement fund to support Iowa's scenic byways. It requires county treasurers or the Department of Transportation to ask vehicle registrants to make a voluntary $1 or more contribution during registration renewal, with up to 5% retained by counties for local use. Unspent funds remain available for byway maintenance, development, and litter prevention without reverting at year-end. The fund becomes operational January 1, 2026.
HF 54 allows manufacturers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to be licensed as motor vehicle dealers for their own vehicles in Iowa. Currently, state law prohibits vehicle manufacturers from owning dealerships, but this bill creates a specific exception for BEV manufacturers. The law defines a "battery electric motor vehicle" as one powered solely by electricity (no gas engine) and requiring plug-in charging. This change directly affects BEV manufacturers seeking to sell directly to consumers through their own licensed dealerships, removing a barrier that previously required them to sell through third-party dealers.
HF 100 creates special license plates for the USS Iowa (BB-61) battleship, allowing Iowa vehicle owners to apply for these plates by paying a $35 one-time fee (plus $25 for personalized plates) and $10 annual fee for standard plates or $5 for personalized plates. The bill requires the Iowa Department of Transportation to solicit public design submissions and hold an online vote to select the final plate design. All fees collected are deposited into the road use tax fund, with monthly transfers to the state general fund to be distributed as grants by the Department of Veterans Affairs for maintaining the USS Iowa. This directly affects Iowa residents who own registered vehicles and choose to purchase these commemorative plates.
HF 79 requires vehicle owners in Iowa to present proof of a valid driver's license and current insurance coverage when renewing vehicle registration. This applies to most registered vehicles, directly affecting owners, lessees, or primary users who need to renew their registration. The bill mandates that county treasurers or the Department of Transportation must refuse renewal if these proofs are not provided, with limited exceptions for government-owned vehicles or certain dealers. The change updates existing registration rules by adding these two requirements to the renewal process.
HF 918 modifies Iowa law regarding motor vehicle financial liability coverage. It requires vehicle owners to certify and provide proof of insurance when registering or renewing their motor vehicle registration, effective December 1, 2028. The bill also revises penalties for operating a vehicle without coverage, increasing fines, particularly for violations connected to an accident or for repeat offenses. Drivers cited for lacking coverage can have their charge dismissed if they provide proof that coverage was in effect at the time of the stop, though court costs will be assessed. Fines collected will be distributed among the victim compensation fund, counties, and the state general fund.
HF 130 creates a state scenic byways enhancement fund to support Iowa's scenic byways through voluntary $1 or more donations during vehicle registration renewal. County treasurers must request these contributions at registration, retaining up to 5% for local county funds while sending the rest to the state fund. The fund finances byway maintenance, development, litter prevention, and enhancement, with unspent funds rolling over annually. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.
HF 581 creates a state fund to support Iowa's scenic byways, managed by the Department of Transportation. It requires county treasurers or the vehicle registration department to ask vehicle owners to make a voluntary $1 or more contribution during registration renewal, with up to 5% of collected county funds allowed to stay in the county general fund. The fund will finance byway maintenance, development, litter prevention, and enhancements. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.
