91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HSB 118: Authorizing manufacturers of battery electric motor vehicles to be licensed as motor vehicle dealers

Died when the session ended · The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died.

What it does

Under current law, a motor vehicle manufacturer or importer is prohibited from directly or indirectly being licensed as, owning an interest in, operating, or controlling a motor vehicle dealer. There are limited exceptions provided, including temporarily to facilitate transfer of the motor vehicle dealership to a new owner; for the purpose of enhancing opportunities for persons who lack the financial resources to purchase the dealership without such assistance; where the dealer’s primary business is renting motor vehicles; for dealers of motor homes manufactured by that manufacturer; for dealers of the line-make manufactured by that manufacturer under certain circumstances; and for final-stage manufacturers of multi-stage manufactured vehicles under certain circumstances.

Cost

No fiscal note

House subcommittee · named February 11, 2026

Rep. Craig Steven Williams (R) · craig.williams@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Henry Stone (R) · henry.stone@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Ross Wilburn (D) · ross.wilburn@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 6 against

For: Americans For Prosperity; Iowa Environmental Council; Rivian Automotive, LLC; Tesla

Against: ABATE of Iowa; Alliance For Automotive Innovation; Iowa Automobile Dealers Association; Iowa Independent Automobile Dealers Association; Iowa Motorcycle Dealers Association; Iowa Off -Highway Vehicle Association

In plain words

February 3, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
February 3, 2025House subcommittee named: Wheeler, Holt and Wilburn
February 19, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
February 11, 2026House subcommittee named: Williams, Stone and Wilburn
February 17, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it