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Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate File 2263 legalizes weapons in government parking lots and foster vehicles while doubling penalties near schools and parks
Last action · May 2, 2026: Explanation of vote. H.J. 1158 .Sponsor: Jason Schultz
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What This Bill Would Do
Iowa Senate File 2263 allows people to keep lawful weapons out of sight in locked, unoccupied vehicles parked in public, nonsecure government parking lots, and prohibits state rules from banning firearms in vehicles transporting foster children. The measure also narrows the definition of weapons-free zones around schools and parks by excluding designated hunting areas and doubling fines for weapons offenses committed inside these zones.
Drivers gain the legal right to store lawful weapons in locked vehicles parked at state, county, city, or township properties, and foster parents may transport firearms in vehicles carrying foster children, while anyone committing a weapons offense within 1,000 feet of a school or in a non-hunting public park faces double the standard maximum fine.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
motor vehicle operators
Drivers gain the specific right to store lawful weapons in locked, out-of-sight vehicles parked in public nonsecure government parking lots.
foster care parents and children
Foster parents are permitted to transport lawful firearms in motor vehicles used for carrying foster children without violating department rules.
individuals in weapons free zones near schools and public parks
Anyone committing a weapons offense within 1,000 feet of a school or in a non-hunting public park faces double the standard maximum fine.
Key Facts
- A person may carry, transport, or possess a dangerous weapon in a privately owned motor vehicle on a publicly accessible, nonsecure parking lot operated by the state, county, city, or township if the weapon remains out of sight and inside a locked vehicle when unoccupied.
- Public parking lot provisions do not apply to facilities or armories owned or operated by the national guard.
- Division I of the Act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
- Department rules are prohibited from banning the otherwise lawful carrying, transportation, or possession of a firearm in motor vehicles used to transport a child in foster care.
Show all 6 facts
- A weapons free zone is defined as the area in or on, or within one thousand feet of, a public or private elementary or secondary school, or in a public park, but excludes portions of public parks designated as hunting areas under section 461A.42.
- A person who commits a public offense involving a firearm or offensive weapon within a weapons free zone is subject to a fine of twice the maximum amount otherwise permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave a weapon in my car parked at a city-owned public parking lot?
Does the law allow firearms in vehicles carrying foster children?
Are hunting areas inside public parks subject to enhanced weapons penalties?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
29 actions- May 2, 2026HouseExplanation of vote. H.J. 1158 .
- Apr 16, 2026HouseMessage from House, with amendment S-5191 . S.J. 825 .
- Apr 16, 2026HouseImmediate message. H.J. 933 .
- Apr 16, 2026HouseFloorPassed House , yeas 60, nays 26. H.J. 931 .
- Apr 16, 2026HouseFloorAmendment H-8290 adopted, as amended. H.J. 930 .
- Apr 16, 2026HouseFloorAmendment H-8321 to amendment H-8290 adopted. H.J. 930 .
Show 23 earlier actions
- Apr 16, 2026HouseFloorAmendment H-8366 adopted. H.J. 930 .
- Apr 15, 2026HouseAmendment H-8366 filed. H.J. 921 .
- Apr 7, 2026HouseAmendment H-8321 filed. H.J. 838 .
- Apr 2, 2026HouseAmendment H-8290 filed. H.J. 806 .
- Mar 26, 2026HousePlaced on calendar under unfinished business. H.J. 760 .
- Mar 19, 2026HousePlaced on calendar. H.J. 707 .
- Mar 18, 2026HouseCommittee vote: Yeas, 15. Nays, 5. Excused, 1. H.J. 707 .
- Mar 18, 2026HouseCommittee report, recommending passage. H.J. 707 .
- Mar 12, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Mar 10, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 03/12/2026 8:30AM RM 103.
- Mar 10, 2026HouseSubcommittee: Holt, Wheeler and Wilburn. H.J. 632 .
- Feb 26, 2026HouseIntroducedRead first time, referred to Judiciary. H.J. 438 .
- Feb 24, 2026HouseMessage from Senate. H.J. 399 .
- Feb 24, 2026SenateImmediate message. S.J. 388 .
- Feb 24, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate , yeas 35, nays 12. S.J. 386 .
- Feb 24, 2026SenateFloorAmendment S-5021 adopted. S.J. 386 .
- Feb 23, 2026SenateAmendment S-5021 filed. S.J. 373 .
- Feb 19, 2026Iowa LegislaturePlaced on calendar.
- Feb 19, 2026SenateCommittee report, recommending passage. S.J. 335 .
- Feb 17, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Feb 16, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 02/17/2026 11:00AM Room 315.
- Feb 11, 2026SenateSubcommittee: Schultz, Quirmbach, and Westrich. S.J. 257 .
- Feb 10, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Judiciary. S.J. 239 .
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Vehicle Carry Rights in Government Spaces
The bill explicitly overrides potential local or agency-level restrictions against keeping weapons in locked vehicles parked on state, county, city, or township properties.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz60Current news / social attention level
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