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90th General Assembly · Iowa Funnel one-pager · Tuesday, November 10, 2026

HSB 53: HSB 53

Died when the session ended · The 2024 session adjourned on April 19, 2024, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died.

What it does

This bill relates to an assault involving a laser pointed toward an aircraft. The bill provides that it is an assault for a person to intentionally point a laser emitting a visible light beam toward an aircraft. The bill defines “aircraft” as any contrivance intended for and capable of transporting persons through the airspace. Penalties for assault range from a simple misdemeanor to a class “C” felony.

Sponsors

Not listed

Cost

See the fiscal note

1(2), and the fiscal impact cannot be determined due to a lack of existing conviction data. Figure 2 below shows the average State cost per offense for a Class C felony, Class D felony, aggravated misdemeanor, serious misdemeanor, and simple misdemeanor.

House subcommittee · named January 18, 2023

  • Rep. Zach Dieken (R) · zachary.dieken@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Joel Fry (R)
  • Rep. Sami Scheetz (D)

Lobbying · 6 for, 0 against

For: Air Methods; Cedar Rapids Airport; Iowa Dept. of Transportation; Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum); Iowa Public Airports Association; Iowa State Bar Association

In plain words

  1. January 18, 2023Filed in the House and sent to the Public Safety committee
  2. January 18, 2023House subcommittee named: Dieken, Fry and Scheetz

From public records at legis.iowa.gov, compiled by Iowa Funnel (iowafunnel.com), an independent, nonpartisan site. Current as of Tuesday, November 10, 2026. https://iowafunnel.com/bills/90/HSB53