Relating to applications for a motor vehicle salvage certificate of title by an insurer without surrendering the certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin, and making penalties applicable

Topics:Transportation

Same legislation: HF 777

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2025
Done: House committeeFebruary 26, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 17, 202596–0
Done: Senate committeeMarch 19, 2026
Done: Passes the SenateApril 8, 202645–0
Done: To the GovernorMay 6, 2026
Done: Signed into lawMay 15, 2026

Became HF 777 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 777 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

Under current law, when a motor vehicle is sold or transferred, the vehicle’s certificate of title must be physically exchanged between the seller or transferor and the purchaser or transferee. _____ by an affidavit from the insurer in which the insurer certifies it has made at least two written attempts to obtain a properly assigned certificate of title or statement of origin for the vehicle by contacting the previous owner of the vehicle and all lienholders of record by certified mail or a similar service, and has been unable to obtain the title or statement of origin.

Read the full explanation

This bill authorizes an insurer to instead submit one or more supporting documents described in the bill, evidencing the transfer of ownership from the previous owner to the insurer if the motor vehicle is deemed a total loss, as defined in the bill. Such supporting documents do not require notarization and may be signed electronically. The insurer is required to indemnify and hold harmless the department of transportation for any claims resulting from issuing a salvage certificate of title pursuant to the bill. In accordance with current law, an application with supporting documents must also be accompanied by a $20 application fee and proof of payment of the total amount of the settlement by the insurer to the previous owner of the vehicle.52A.52, including as amended by the bill, commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $135 scheduled fine.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment S-5110; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

House subcommittee

Named February 13, 2025. On February 26, 2025 it recommended passage.

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Iowa Code it changes

Amends§321.52

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

6 for · 0 against · 12 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.

Study bill

HSB 179Renumbered

91st General Assembly

HF 777Became lawfrom HSB 179

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.