Bill
Bill > HF2024
IA HF2024
IA HF2024A bill for an act relating to motor vehicle window tint, and making penalties applicable.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
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 450.5), “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, 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, and a side or rear window other than a side window or sidewing immediately beside or forward of the driver to meet a minimum standard of transparency of at least 35 percent light transmittance. Under current law, the light transmittance of such other windows is not regulated. A violation of Code section 321.438 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $70.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing regulations on motor vehicle window tint by directly establishing new transparency standards in law rather than allowing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to set them through rules. Specifically, it prohibits operating a vehicle with a front windshield that allows less than 70 percent light transmittance, meaning at least 70 percent of light must pass through it. Side windows or "sidewings" (small windows forward of the driver) immediately next to or in front of the driver must allow at least 50 percent light transmittance. Other side or rear windows, not immediately next to or in front of the driver, must have at least 35 percent light transmittance. These new rules replace the previous general prohibition against windows being "excessively dark or reflective" and the DOT's authority to define that standard, though an exception for law enforcement vehicles remains. Violations of these window tint rules are subject to a $70 scheduled fine.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Public Safety. H.J. 44. (on 01/13/2026)
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=HF2024 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF2024.html |
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