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

SF 491: Prohibiting the use of remotely piloted aircraft flying over farm property, and making penalties applicable

Signed into law

What it does

2024 Iowa Acts, chapter 1131, prohibited the use of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) flying over certain areas, including a homestead or that part of a farmstead where agricultural animals are confined and maintained (Code chapter 715E). An RPA is a self-propelled vehicle used for navigation and flight, is controlled by the use of an electronic system, and is not designed to carry a human. A surveillance device that is part of an RPA refers to a camera or electronic equipment that transmits or records images, sounds, or data from a distance.

Sponsors

Transportation committee

Cost

Can’t be estimated

The fiscal impact cannot be determined but is anticipated to be minimal. Figure 2 shows the average State cost per offense for a serious misdemeanor and aggravated misdemeanor. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the J…

House subcommittee · named March 19, 2025

  • Rep. Derek Wulf (R) · derek.wulf@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. J.D. Scholten (D) · j.d.scholten@legis.iowa.gov
  • Rep. Michael V. Sexton (R)

Lobbying · 5 for, 3 against

For: Iowa Cattlemen's Association; Iowa Corn Growers Association; Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; Iowa Pork Producers Association; VALOR Iowa

Against: Animal Legal Defense Fund; Food & Water Watch; Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club

In plain words

  1. February 26, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Transportation committee · as SSB 1191
  2. February 26, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Zumbach, Rozenboom and Townsend · as SSB 1191
  3. March 3, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as SSB 1191
  4. March 3, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 491 · as SSB 1191
  5. March 4, 2025Filed in the Senate
  6. March 4, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
  7. March 14, 2025Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
  8. March 17, 2025Passed the Senate, 43–3
  9. March 18, 2025Arrived in the House
  10. March 19, 2025House subcommittee named: Wulf, Scholten and Sexton
  11. March 27, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
  12. April 1, 2025Approved by the House committee
  13. April 1, 2025Committee vote: 20–3
  14. April 8, 2025Passed the House, 89–7
  15. April 9, 2025Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
  16. April 28, 2025Passed the Senate, 42–8
  17. May 6, 2025Sent to the Governor
  18. May 6, 2025Signed into law

From public records at legis.iowa.gov, compiled by Funnel (iowafunnel.com), an independent, nonpartisan site. Current as of Monday, November 9, 2026. https://iowafunnel.com/bills/91/SF491