Relating to the default speed limit for all vehicular traffic, and making penalties applicable

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 21, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 23, 2025
Done: Senate committeeFebruary 19, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateMarch 18, 202536–12
Done: House committeeMarch 18, 2026
Done: Passes the HouseApril 1, 202676–16
Done: To the GovernorMay 5, 2026
Done: Signed into lawJune 1, 2026

Became SF 378 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 378 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

Under current law, the default speed limit for all vehicular traffic is miles per hour (MPH) unless otherwise provided. A speed limit is provided for streets or highways on which a cattle guard is installed (15 MPH), business districts (20 MPH), residential or school districts (25 MPH), state parks and preserves (35 MPH), suburban districts (45 MPH), board of regents institution roads (45 MPH), unpaved secondary roads (55 MPH between sunrise and sunset and MPH between sunset and sunrise), fully controlled-access, divided, multilaned highways (65 MPH), certain divided multilaned highways that are not fully access-controlled, if selected by the department of transportation (DOT) (65 MPH), and highways that are part of the interstate road system (70 MPH).

Read the full explanation

circumstances and is required to erect signage giving notice of the limit. This bill increases the default speed limit for all vehicular traffic to MPH.210C).293). The bill authorizes the agency that exercises jurisdiction over a highway for which the speed limit increased, when updating speed limit signs as a result of the bill, to attach nonpermanent overlays or stickers approved by the DOT to existing speed limit signs in order to display the new speed limit. The nonpermanent overlays or stickers may be used by the applicable agency until the applicable speed limit sign is replaced based on the agency’s replacement schedule and any applicable specifications or requirements. Pursuant to current law, a person who operates a motor vehicle in excess of the speed limit commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine that varies depending on the excessive speed. The fine ranges from $30 for a speed in excess of the limit by not more than MPH to $135 plus $5 for each MPH of excessive speed over MPH over the limit, with increased fines for violations in road work zones.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment H-8245; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

Senate subcommittee

Named January 23, 2025. On February 10, 2025 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

Fiscal note

Senate File 378 is estimated to have a one-time cost of $825,000 which will occur across two fiscal years, as shown in Figure 1. Of this amount, $518,000 will occur in FY 2027. Any costs incurred by the DOT will be paid from the PRF. Any costs for county sign replacement will be paid by individual counties from the Secondary Road Fund.

The estimate held steady

$825,000 April 7, 2026
→
$825,000 June 2, 2026 · final

The largest dollar figure in each version’s summary.

Final Fiscal Note — Undivided Rural Highways, Speed Limit · June 2, 2026 · $825,000
Undivided Rural Highways, Speed Limit · April 7, 2026 · $825,000
Undivided Rural Highways, Speed Limit · April 1, 2025

Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§321.285

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 · 1 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.

91st General Assembly

SF 73Renumbered SF 378Became lawfrom SF 73

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