Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the acquisition of certain vehicles by a vehicle recycler, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Tom Shipley (R)
Topics:Transportation
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 18, 2025
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 4, 2025
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 24, 202549–0
- Done: House committeeFebruary 4, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 31, 202692–0
- Done: To the GovernorMay 2, 2026
- Done: Signed into lawMay 2, 2026
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
Under current law, the purchaser or transferee of a motor vehicle sold for scrap or junk is required to surrender the certificate of title, properly endorsed and signed by the previous owner, to a county treasurer, and apply for a junking certificate from the county treasurer, within days after assignment of the certificate of title. However, a vehicle owner may dispose of the vehicle to a vehicle recycler licensed under Code chapter 321H (vehicle recyclers) for scrap or junk without presenting a certificate of title or a junking certificate if the vehicle is model years old or older and is acquired by the vehicle recycler for reasonable consideration equaling less than $1,000.
Read the full explanation
This bill prohibits a licensed vehicle recycler from acquiring such a vehicle unless the recycler uses the recycler’s access to the state records system to verify that there is not a lienholder who has a security interest in the vehicle. A licensed vehicle recycler is not required to verify the nonexistence of a lienholder in transactions with a scrap metal dealer. By operation of law, a violation of the bill is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $135.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text · What changed before it passed
House subcommittee
Named January 20, 2026. On February 3, 2026 it recommended 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§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
1 for · 2 against · 7 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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