HF 2516: Relating to the authority of counties and cities to regulate the installation or use of battery-charged security alarm systems on nonresidential properties

What it does

3 provide limitations on the powers of counties and cities, respectively. This bill amends those Code sections to limit a county’s or city’s authority to regulate the use and installation of battery-charged security alarm systems under certain circumstances. The bill defines “battery-charged security alarm system” as an outdoor alarm system that interfaces with an alarm system in a manner that enables the outdoor alarm system to cause the connected alarm system to transmit a signal intended to alert the business and a monitoring station operator in response to a burglary or attempted burglary, is energized by a commercial storage battery not exceeding volts direct current and designed to periodically deliver voltage impulses to the outdoor alarm system, and includes a battery-charging device used exclusively to charge the battery.

House subcommittee · named February 3, 2026

• Rep. Jennifer J. Smith (R) · jennifer.smith@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Tom Determann (R) · tom.determann@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Daniel Gosa (D) · daniel.gosa@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 1 against

For: AMAROK; Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI); Iowa League of Cities

Against: City of Des Moines

In plain words

1. February 3, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Local Government committee · as HSB 659
2. February 3, 2026House subcommittee named: Smith, Determann and Gosa · as HSB 659
3. February 10, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 659
4. February 10, 2026Approved by the House committee · as HSB 659
5. February 10, 2026Committee vote: 21–0 · as HSB 659
6. February 16, 2026Filed in the House
7. February 16, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2516 · as HSB 659
8. March 5, 2026Withdrawn