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SF 375IOWASession 2025-2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Iowa General Assembly raises electric motor power limit to 750 watts for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances

Original title: A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor.(See SF 490 .)

Last action · April 30, 2026: Signed by Governor . S.J. 947 .Sponsor: Mark Costello

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

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What This Bill Does

Iowa law now permits s and motor-powered s to use electric motors producing up to 750 watts, replacing a strict lower limit.

Why it matters

Determines whether specific higher-powered personal electric mobility devices fall under standard bicycle rules or motor vehicle statutes starting in 2026.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

riders of low-speed electric bicycles

Operating standards and motor power classification criteria are updated for their equipment.

Directly affected

users of electric pedestrian conveyances

Legal definitions and motor wattage limits are adjusted for motorized wheelchairs, scooters, and similar devices.

Key Facts

Defines 'low-speed electric bicycle' as a device equipped with a saddle or seat, two or three wheels, fully operable pedals, and an electric motor producing not more than 750 watts.
Defines 'pedestrian conveyance' to include electric personal assistive mobility devices and motor-powered devices operated by a person sitting or standing, provided the motor produces not more than 750 watts.
Specifies that 'pedestrian conveyance' explicitly excludes bicycles.
Applies standard motor vehicle and law of the road statutes from Code chapter 321 to devices exceeding the 750-watt threshold.

Show all 5 facts

Replaces the previous legal standard that limited electric motor output to strictly less than 750 watts with a standard allowing motors producing up to 750 watts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new maximum power output allowed for low-speed electric bicycles in Iowa?

s are allowed to have an electric motor producing not more than 750 watts.

Does a pedestrian conveyance include bicycles under the updated law?

No, s explicitly do not include bicycles.

What happens if an electric bicycle or conveyance motor produces more than 750 watts?

The vehicle becomes subject to the provisions of governing motor vehicles, automobiles, and motorcycles.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

38 actions

Apr 30, 2026SenateEnrolled
Signed by Governor . S.J. 947 .
Apr 30, 2026Senate
Reported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor. S.J. 947 .
Mar 9, 2026House
Message from House. S.J. 491 .
Mar 5, 2026House
Immediate message. H.J. 601 .
Mar 5, 2026HouseFloor
Passed House , yeas 82, nays 4. H.J. 588 .
Jan 29, 2026House
Placed on calendar. H.J. 183 .

Show 32 earlier actions

Jan 28, 2026House
Committee vote: Yeas, 19. Nays, 0. Excused, 2. H.J. 183 .
Jan 28, 2026House
Committee report, recommending passage. H.J. 183 .
Jan 22, 2026Iowa Legislature
Subcommittee recommends passage.
Jan 21, 2026Iowa Legislature
Subcommittee Meeting: 01/22/2026 7:45AM RM 103.
Jan 20, 2026House
Subcommittee: Henderson, Meyer, A. and Scholten. H.J. 125 .
Jan 20, 2026House
Subcommittee: Henderson, Meyer, A. and Scholten. H.J. 126 .
Dec 31, 2025Iowa Legislature
* * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *
Dec 31, 2025Iowa Legislature
* * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *
May 15, 2025House
Rereferred to Transportation. H.J. 1221 .
May 15, 2025House
Rereferred to Transportation. H.J. 1221 .
Apr 3, 2025House
Placed on calendar under unfinished business. H.J. 894 .
Apr 3, 2025House
Placed on calendar under unfinished business. H.J. 894 .
Mar 24, 2025HouseIntroduced
Read first time, passed on file. H.J. 788 .
Mar 24, 2025House
Message from Senate. H.J. 777 .
Mar 24, 2025Senate
Immediate message. S.J. 616 .
Mar 24, 2025SenateFloor
Passed Senate , yeas 49, nays 0. S.J. 614 .
Mar 5, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 515 .
Mar 5, 2025Iowa Legislature
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 765 .
Mar 4, 2025Senate
Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 410 .
Mar 4, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 400 .
Mar 4, 2025Senate
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 490 . S.J. 410 .
Mar 3, 2025Iowa Legislature
Subcommittee recommends passage.
Feb 25, 2025Senate
Subcommittee: Lofgren, Blake, and Pike. S.J. 356 .
Feb 24, 2025Senate
Subcommittee Meeting: 02/25/2025 4:00PM Senate Lounge.
Feb 19, 2025House
Committee vote: Yeas, 20. Nays, 0. Excused, 1. H.J. 370 .
Feb 19, 2025House
Committee report, recommending passage. H.J. 370 .
Feb 19, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced, referred to Transportation. S.J. 311 .
Feb 6, 2025Iowa Legislature
Subcommittee recommends passage.
Feb 5, 2025House
Subcommittee Meeting: 02/06/2025 8:30AM House Lounge 2.
Feb 5, 2025House
Subcommittee reassigned: Henderson, Kressig and Meyer, A. H.J. 183 .
Jan 29, 2025House
Subcommittee: Henderson, Golding and Kressig. H.J. 140 .
Jan 16, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced, referred to Transportation. H.J. 86 .

Version history

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Lobbying Activity

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Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

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