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Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate Bill 2294 Caps Audio Volume on Video Streaming Commercials
Last action · March 4, 2026: Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
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What This Bill Would Do
Beginning July 1, 2026, s in Iowa are prohibited from transmitting commercial advertisements louder than the accompanying video content. The Iowa Utilities Commission is granted sole authority to enforce the restriction, seek civil penalties of up to $500 per daily violation, and charge administrative expenses directly to the streaming services involved.
Streaming providers operating in Iowa face up to $500 in daily civil penalties per violation if their commercial audio exceeds the volume of the primary content, with enforcement costs billed directly to them.
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.
video streaming services
Video streaming services must adjust commercial audio levels to match programming content or face regulatory investigations, civil penalties up to $500 per day, and direct administrative charges.
consumers in Iowa
Consumers receive protection against commercials broadcast at a higher audio volume than the video programming they accompany.
Key Facts
- Beginning July 1, 2026, video streaming services cannot transmit commercials louder than the accompanying video content to consumers in Iowa.
- The Iowa Utilities Commission holds sole authority to enforce violations, seek compliance, and enjoin further violations.
- Civil penalties for violations cannot exceed $500 per day, with each day a violation occurs counted as a separate violation.
- Streaming services can demonstrate compliance upon notice by providing evidence of actual compliance or ongoing adherence to commission standards.
Show all 6 facts
- The legislation explicitly does not create a private right of action for individuals to sue streaming services directly.
- The Iowa Utilities Commission is authorized to allocate and charge direct expenses attributable to proceedings under this chapter to the entities involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the commercial volume limit take effect?
Can individual consumers sue a streaming service for loud commercials under this bill?
What is the maximum penalty for violating the volume limit?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
11 actions- Mar 4, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
- Mar 2, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 03/04/2026 10:00AM Room 315.
- Feb 24, 2026SenateSubcommittee: Taylor, Bisignano, and Gruenhagen. S.J. 392 .
- Feb 24, 2026SenateCommitteeReferred to Ways and Means. S.J. 376 .
- Feb 12, 2026SenateCommittee report, approving bill. S.J. 285 .
- Feb 12, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 268 .
Show 5 earlier actions
- Feb 11, 2026Iowa LegislatureCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 2294 .
- Jan 21, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Jan 15, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 01/21/2026 12:00PM Room 217 Conference Room.
- Jan 13, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee: Sweeney, Bennett, and Taylor.
- Jan 13, 2026Iowa LegislatureIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Technology.
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.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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