Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the use of automatic registration plate readers, and providing penalties
Sponsored by Sen. Tony Bisignano (D), Sen. Molly Donahue (D), Sen. William A. Dotzler Jr. (D), Sen. Renee Hardman (D), Sen. Janet Petersen (D), Sen. Janice Weiner (D), Sen. Cindy Winckler (D)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 16, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 17, 2026
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
Under current law, the operator of an automatic registration plate reader (plate reader) is required to permanently delete every image of a vehicle registration plate captured by the plate reader, and any other accompanying data, within days after the image was captured. Prior to deletion from the plate reader, a law enforcement agency is authorized to copy and store an image of a vehicle registration plate captured by a plate reader, and any other accompanying data, if the image and data are relevant to an ongoing criminal case or investigation.
Read the full explanation
Copies maintained by a law enforcement agency are not required to be deleted, but the law enforcement agency must maintain the copies in accordance with the agency’s evidence retention policies. A person who violates the deletion requirement commits a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. This bill further regulates the operation of plate readers, including by reducing the retention period from days to days, prohibiting certain uses, restricting access, limiting the sharing of data, and providing for public oversight and audits regarding the use of plate readers. A person who uses or accesses a plate reader in violation of the bill commits a simple misdemeanor.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
Senate subcommittee
Named February 17, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.
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§321P.4
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
0 for · 0 against · 2 undecided · Who →