All Roll Calls
Yes: 212 • No: 13
IowaHF 261791st General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET
A bill for an act relating to abandoned vehicles. (Formerly HSB 667.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Clearer towing bills and card payments
Beginning July 1, 2026, private holders must visibly post daily storage and impound fees at their businesses and online, if they have websites. They must give registered owners an itemized list of all fees when owners reclaim their vehicles. A private towing company must accept credit cards for release fees after attaching towing equipment but before removing the vehicle. This applies when the company stops the tow and releases the vehicle to its registered owner or operator. Other payment methods remain allowed; these rules do not set or lower towing, storage, or release fees.
More time to reclaim abandoned vehicles
Beginning July 1, 2026, police and private vehicle holders must send certified-mail notices within 10 days of custody, down from 20. Notices go to the last known registered owner, recorded lienholders, and other known claimants, explaining their 20-day deadline—up from 10—to request a hearing or reclaim the vehicle or belongings. That period starts when notice takes effect; reclaiming the vehicle requires paying towing, preservation, storage, and notice costs. Existing loss-of-rights rules apply after 20 days without a hearing request or reclaim. After required notice and disposal of an unclaimed vehicle to a demolisher, owners and lienholders have no vehicle rights courts can recognize.
Owners can recover more vehicle belongings
Beginning July 1, 2026, registered owners can retrieve qualifying belongings from privately held abandoned vehicles without reclaiming the vehicle. Owners get one retrieval during the 20-day reclaim period and must provide a written list of the items. Retrieval must occur during normal business hours and follow the holder’s safety and security procedures. Items must be allowed by law, easy to reach, and removable without dismantling the vehicle. Taking belongings does not reclaim the vehicle or cancel the holder’s lien.
Owners must show documents before driving
Beginning July 1, 2026, registered owners must show a valid driver’s license before driving a reclaimed abandoned vehicle away. They must also show proof of financial liability coverage required by Iowa law to police or the private holder. This document requirement applies when the registered owner drives the vehicle away.
Vehicle lenders gain access, face fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, recorded lienholders who received notice can request information about an abandoned vehicle’s condition. The private holder may charge an inspection fee of up to $100. After any fee is paid, the holder must allow an on-site inspection or provide photos detailed enough to show the vehicle’s condition. A lienholder’s representative must follow the holder’s safety and security rules during an inspection.
State towing rules replace local ordinances
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa’s abandoned-vehicle rules apply uniformly across the state. State law overrides county and city ordinances about towing abandoned vehicles. Counties and cities cannot add their own rules for that towing.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/2/2026
Passed House
Yes: 85 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/1/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 43 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
Passed House
Yes: 84 • No: 13
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
6/2/2026HouseReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
5/18/2026HouseMessage from House.
5/2/2026SenateImmediate message.
5/2/2026HouseExplanation of vote.
5/2/2026HouseExplanations of votes.
5/2/2026HousePassed House, yeas 85, nays 0.
5/2/2026HouseHouse concurred in Senate amendment H-8460.
5/2/2026HouseSenate amendment H-8460 filed.
5/1/2026HouseMessage from Senate.
5/1/2026HouseImmediate message.
5/1/2026SenatePassed Senate, yeas 43, nays 0.
5/1/2026SenateAmendment S-5245 filed, adopted.
5/1/2026SenateSubstituted for SF 2475.
5/1/2026SenateAttached to SF 2475.
3/25/2026SenateRead first time, passed on file.
3/5/2026SenateMessage from House.
3/5/2026SenateImmediate message.
3/4/2026HousePassed House, yeas 84, nays 13.
3/4/2026HouseAmendment H-8140 adopted, as amended.
3/4/2026HouseAmendment H-8147 to amendment H-8140 filed, adopted.
3/4/2026HouseAmendment H-8140 filed.
3/3/2026HouseIntroduced, placed on calendar.
2/19/2026House
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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