Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the installation of transmission lines on highway rights-of-way
Sponsored by Rep. Shannon Latham (R), Rep. Devon Wood (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedMarch 5, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 12, 2026
- Done: House committeeJanuary 28, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 2, 202690–0
- Skipped: Senate committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 24, 202646–1
- Done: To the GovernorApril 9, 2026
- Done: Signed into lawApril 9, 2026
Became HF 2228 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2228 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to the installation of transmission lines on highway rights-of-way. Under current law, the general assembly encourages proactive coordination between the department of transportation (DOT), local governments, utility companies, and other affected parties to minimize costs and avoid relocating utilities during highway construction. Affected parties are invited to participate in development meetings. However, failure to participate during the design phase does not prevent a construction project from moving forward.
Read the full explanation
The bill requires the DOT, upon written request, to engage in coordination activities with a utility or transmission line developer to review highway corridors identified in the request for potential locations to place transmission lines. The DOT must share all known plans with affected utility or transmission line developers on planned future projects in the highway corridor if the planned highway project impacts the placement or siting of transmission lines. Under current law, the DOT is required to adopt administrative rules embodying a utility accommodation policy imposing reasonable restrictions on utility line placements on primary road rights-of-way. The bill prohibits the DOT from denying longitudinal transmission line installations extending any distance on a primary road right-of-way unless the DOT determines such an installation would endanger public safety or interfere with the proper function of the highway. The DOT must make the reasons for denying the installation of a longitudinal transmission line available to the public within days. The DOT was previously required to develop an accommodation plan for the longitudinal utility use of freeway right-of-way, in consultation with the utilities commission. The DOT must also provide for extended payment and lease agreements to provide continuous funding for the living roadway trust fund. The bill strikes the requirement that the agreements be “extended” and the funding be “continuous” and instead prohibits the DOT from providing for payment and lease agreements for a term that exceeds years. Current law requires transmission lines to be constructed near and parallel to roads, highways, and railways. The bill adds to the designated locations for transmission lines to be constructed within the right-of-way beside roads, highways, and railways. The lines must not interfere with the use by the public of the highways or streams, nor unnecessarily interfere with the use of any lands by the occupant.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment H-8056; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed
House subcommittee
Named January 12, 2026. On January 15, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Iowa Code it changes
Amends§306.47§306A.3§314.20§478.18
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
14 for · 0 against · 24 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.
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