Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to speed limits, including the speed limit range for which certain excessive speed violations cannot be considered for certain purposes and the default speed limit for all vehicular traffic, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. David D. Rowley (R)
Topics:Transportation
Same legislation: SF 73
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
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary The default speed limit for all vehicles in Iowa would increase to 65 miles per hour. To show this change, road agencies can use temporary stickers or overlays on existing signs until new signs are installed. This update does not change the rules for driver's license suspensions or the minimum speed limits set by local cities.1
Read the official explanation
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). In addition, the agency responsible for a highway is authorized to establish a lower reasonable and proper speed limit on the highway under certain 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.
Changed since by amendment H-8245; see Amendments.
House subcommittee
Named March 5, 2026. On March 11, 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
Fiscal note
Cost: up to $825,000 Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill increases the default speed limit to 60 miles per hour and allows for the use of temporary overlays on existing signs. It is estimated to have a one-time cost of $825,000, with $518,000 occurring in fiscal year 2027 and $307,000 occurring in fiscal year 2028. Costs for the Department of Transportation will be paid from the Primary Road Fund, while costs for county sign replacement will be paid by individual counties from the Secondary Road Fund.3
From the 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.
- 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 · $783,000
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91st General Assembly