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Bill > HF529
IA HF529
IA HF529A bill for an act relating to the maximum weight of vehicles powered primarily by natural gas or electric battery, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HSB 134.)
summary
Introduced
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
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 10 cents per pound in excess of 20,000 pounds over the limit.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing Iowa vehicle weight regulations by expanding allowable maximum gross vehicle weight for certain alternative fuel vehicles. Specifically, the legislation increases the maximum gross vehicle weight to 82,000 pounds for motor vehicles powered primarily by natural gas or electric battery, removing the previous requirement that the weight exception be directly attributable to the alternative fuel tank and fueling system. Previously, natural gas-powered vehicles could only exceed standard weight limits by the specific weight difference between their unique fuel system and a standard diesel fuel system. Now, these vehicles, along with electric battery-powered vehicles, can automatically qualify for the 82,000-pound weight limit without having to mathematically prove the exact weight difference of their fuel systems. The bill maintains existing penalty structures for vehicles exceeding weight limits, which currently range from $12 to $2,200 plus 10 cents per pound over the 20,000-pound threshold. This change aims to provide more flexibility for alternative fuel vehicle operators while potentially supporting the adoption of cleaner transportation technologies by reducing potential regulatory barriers.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Transportation (House)
Last Action
Placed on calendar. H.J. 238. (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF529 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF529.html |
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