Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the installation of transmission lines on highway rights-of-way
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedMarch 5, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 22, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeJanuary 30, 2026
- Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 24, 202646–1
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 2, 202690–0
- Done: To the GovernorApril 9, 2026
- Done: Signed into lawApril 9, 2026
Became SF 2214 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2214 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to the installation of transmission lines on highway rights-of-way. Under current law, the general assembly encourages proactive coordination between the department of transportation (DOT), local governments, utility companies, and other affected parties to minimize costs and avoid relocating utilities during highway construction. Affected parties are invited to participate in development meetings. However, failure to participate during the design phase does not prevent a construction project from moving forward.
Read the full explanation
The bill requires the DOT, upon written request, to engage in coordination activities with a utility or transmission line developer to review highway corridors identified in the request for potential locations to place transmission lines. The DOT must share all known plans with affected utility or transmission line developers on planned future projects in the highway corridor if the planned highway project impacts the placement or siting of transmission lines. Under current law, the DOT is required to adopt administrative rules embodying a utility accommodation policy imposing reasonable restrictions on utility line placements on primary road rights-of-way. _____ or interfere with the proper function of the highway. The DOT must make the reason for denying the installation of a longitudinal transmission line available to the public within days. The DOT was previously required to develop an accommodation plan for the longitudinal utility use of freeway right-of-way, in consultation with the utilities commission. The DOT must also provide for extended payment and lease agreements to provide continuous funding for the living roadway trust fund. The bill strikes the requirement that the agreements be “extended” and the funding be “continuous” and instead prohibits the DOT from providing for payment and lease agreements for a term that exceeds years. Current law requires transmission lines to be constructed near and parallel to roads, highways, and railways. The bill specifies that transmission lines must be constructed near, parallel to, and within the right-of-way beside roads, highways, and railways. The lines must not interfere with the use by the public of the highways or streams, nor unnecessarily interfere with the use of any lands by the occupant.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment H-8056; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed
Senate subcommittee
Named January 22, 2026. On January 28, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.
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Iowa Code it changes
Amends§306.47§306A.3§314.20§478.18
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
14 for · 0 against · 24 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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