Bill
Bill > HF766
IA HF766
IA HF766A bill for an act relating to motor vehicle window tint, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HF 206.)
summary
Introduced
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
In Committee
03/26/2025
03/26/2025
Crossed Over
03/25/2025
03/25/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
Under current law, a person is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle equipped with a front windshield, a side window to the immediate right or left of the driver, or a sidewing forward of and to the left or right of the driver which is excessively dark or reflective so that it is difficult for a person outside the motor vehicle to see into the motor vehicle through the window. Under rules adopted by the department of transportation (DOT) (761 IAC 450.7), “excessively dark or reflective” means the window does not meet a minimum standard of transparency of 70 percent light transmittance. However, the requirement does not apply to a person who operates a motor vehicle owned or leased by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency if the operation is part of the person’s official duties. This bill strikes the authority of the DOT to adopt rules establishing a minimum measurable standard of transparency and instead prohibits a person from operating on the highway a motor vehicle equipped with a front windshield that meets a minimum standard of transparency of less than 70 percent light transmittance or a side window or sidewing immediately beside or forward of the driver, as applicable, that meets a minimum standard of transparency of less than 50 percent light transmittance. A violation of Code section 321.438 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $70.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Iowa's existing motor vehicle window tint regulations by replacing the current language that prohibits windows that are "excessively dark or reflective" with specific, measurable light transmittance standards. The bill removes the Department of Transportation's (DOT) authority to establish transparency rules and instead directly sets legal limits for window tinting: front windshields must allow at least 70 percent light transmittance, while side windows and side wings adjacent to the driver must allow at least 50 percent light transmittance. The bill maintains an existing exemption for law enforcement vehicles when officers are performing official duties. Violations of these new window tint standards will result in a $70 fine. In practical terms, this means that vehicle windows must now be significantly clearer than before, with a quantifiable standard that removes the previous subjective language about windows being "difficult to see through." The change provides a more precise and enforceable rule for law enforcement and vehicle owners regarding window tinting.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Transportation (House)
Last Action
Placed on calendar. (on 02/11/2026)
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=HF766 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF766.html |
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