Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the maximum weight of vehicles powered primarily by natural gas or electric battery, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the House Transportation Committee
Topics:Transportation
Same legislation: HSB 134
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 6, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 6, 2025
- Done: House committeeFebruary 19, 2025
- Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Vehicles that run on natural gas or electricity can now weigh up to 82,000 pounds on Iowa highways. Previously, natural gas vehicles had to prove their extra weight came specifically from their fuel systems to qualify for this higher limit. This change allows all such clean-energy vehicles to reach the same maximum weight.1
Read the official explanation
Current law limits the maximum gross weight of a vehicle based on the highway on which the vehicle is operated and the number of axles and the distance between the axles on the vehicle. Generally, the maximum gross weight of a vehicle, including combinations of vehicles, is 80,000 pounds when operated on a highway in Iowa. Certain exceptions exist including but not limited to specially permitted vehicles and vehicles with six or seven axles while operated on noninterstate highways. Additionally, a motor vehicle equipped with an engine fueled primarily by natural gas may exceed the standard weight limit and is authorized to weigh up to 82,000 pounds, as long as the vehicle’s excessive weight equals the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system installed in the vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel fuel tank and fueling system. This bill strikes the requirement that the excessive weight be attributable to the power unit substitution and instead authorizes all such vehicles to weigh up to 82,000 pounds. The bill likewise authorizes a motor vehicle primarily powered by means of electric battery power to exceed any applicable gross weight limit, up to 82,000 pounds. A vehicle that exceeds the allowable weight based on its number of axles and the distance between the axles is subject to a scheduled fine. The scheduled fine ranges from $12 to $2,200 plus cents per pound in excess of 20,000 pounds over the limit.
House subcommittee
Named January 20, 2026. On January 29, 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
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91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- SF 2143 Relating to the maximum weight of vehicles powered primarily by natural gas or electric ba…90th General Assembly · Passed Senate · same titlePassed a chamber
- HF 2447 Relating to the maximum weight of vehicles powered primarily by natural gas or electric ba…90th General Assembly · Approved by committee · nearly identicalCleared committee
Matched by wording or an identical title.