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HF2655 • 2026

A bill for an act relating to the operating privileges of drivers of authorized emergency vehicles and police officers riding police bicycles. (Formerly HSB 686 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

A bill for an act relating to the operating privileges of drivers of authorized emergency vehicles and police officers riding police bicycles. (Formerly HSB 686 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Last action
2026-05-02
Official status
Signed by Governor . H.J. 1160 .
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the removal of previous restrictions.

Emergency Vehicle and Police Bicycle Driving Rules

This act modifies driving rules for authorized emergency vehicle drivers and police officers on bicycles to provide more flexibility in certain situations.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows drivers of authorized emergency vehicles or peace officers riding police bicycles to proceed past red or stop signals after slowing down if it is safe based on the situation.
  • Permits drivers of authorized emergency vehicles or peace officers riding police bicycles to exceed speed limits as long as they do not recklessly endanger life or property.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles
  • Police officers on duty who are riding bicycles

Terms To Know

Authorized Emergency Vehicle
A vehicle that is officially designated for use in emergencies, such as police cars or ambulances.
Peace Officer
An officer who has the authority to enforce laws and maintain public order, like a police officer.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The new rules only apply when emergency vehicles are making use of sirens or lights.
  • Police officers must still act reasonably and not recklessly endanger people or property while using these exemptions.
  • These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-02 Iowa Legislature

    Signed by Governor . H.J. 1160 .

  2. 2026-05-02 Iowa Legislature

    Reported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor. H.J. 1160 .

  3. 2026-05-01 Iowa Legislature

    Explanation of vote. H.J. 1082 .

  4. 2026-04-22 Iowa Legislature

    Message from House. S.J. 862 .

  5. 2026-04-21 Iowa Legislature

    Immediate message. H.J. 973 .

  6. 2026-04-21 Iowa Legislature

    Passed House , yeas 93, nays 0. H.J. 962 .

  7. 2026-04-21 Iowa Legislature

    House concurred in Senate amendment H-8359 . H.J. 961 .

  8. 2026-04-14 Iowa Legislature

    Senate amendment H-8359 filed. H.J. 899 .

  9. 2026-04-14 Iowa Legislature

    Message from Senate. H.J. 890 .

  10. 2026-04-14 Iowa Legislature

    Immediate message. S.J. 781 .

  11. 2026-04-14 Iowa Legislature

    Passed Senate , yeas 47, nays 0. S.J. 778 .

  12. 2026-04-14 Iowa Legislature

    Amendment S-5112 adopted. S.J. 778 .

  13. 2026-03-26 Iowa Legislature

    Placed on calendar under unfinished business. S.J. 659 .

  14. 2026-03-19 Iowa Legislature

    Placed on calendar.

  15. 2026-03-19 Iowa Legislature

    Amendment S-5112 filed. S.J. 608 .

  16. 2026-03-19 Iowa Legislature

    Committee report, recommending amendment and passage. S.J. 608 .

  17. 2026-03-18 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.

  18. 2026-03-17 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee Meeting: [].

  19. 2026-03-17 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee: Dickey, Costello, and Drey. S.J. 587 .

  20. 2026-03-16 Iowa Legislature

    Read first time, referred to Transportation. S.J. 576 .

  21. 2026-03-16 Iowa Legislature

    Message from House. S.J. 576 .

  22. 2026-03-12 Iowa Legislature

    Immediate message. H.J. 666 .

  23. 2026-03-12 Iowa Legislature

    Passed House , yeas 90, nays 1. H.J. 656 .

  24. 2026-03-12 Iowa Legislature

    Amendment H-8208 withdrawn. H.J. 655 .

  25. 2026-03-12 Iowa Legislature

    Amendment H-8201 withdrawn. H.J. 655 .

  26. 2026-03-11 Iowa Legislature

    Amendments H-8201 and H-8208 filed. H.J. 637 .

  27. 2026-02-20 Iowa Legislature

    Introduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 366 .

Official Summary Text

A bill for an act relating to the operating privileges of drivers of authorized emergency vehicles and police officers riding police bicycles. (Formerly HSB 686 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
STATE OF IOWA
KIM REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
May 02, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
House File 2655, an Act relating to the operating privileges of drivers of authorized
emergency vehicles and police officers riding police bicycles.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
Sincerely,
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
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GENERÄL ASSEMBLY"!*;
House File 2655
AN ACT
RELATING TO THE OPERATING PRIVILEGES OF DRIVERS OF AUTHORIZED
EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND POLICE OFFICERS RIDING POLICE
BICYCLES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. Section 321.231, subsection 2, unnumbered
paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
The driver of any an authorized emergency vehicle or peace
officer riding a police bicycle in the line of duty , ma y :
House File 2655, p. 2
Sec. 2. Section 321.231, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended
by adding the following new paragraphs:
NEW PARAGRAPH , f . Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop
sign, but only after slowing down to or maintaining a speed
deemed necessary for safe operation by the driver based on
information known to the driver at the time. This paragraph
does not apply to a driver operating a towing vehicle that was
issued a certificate of designation as an authorized emergency
vehicle pursuant to section 321.451.
NEW PARAGRAPH , g. Exceed the maximum speed limits so long
as the driver does not recklessly endanger life or property.
This paragraph does not apply to a driver operating a towing
vehicle that was issued a certificate of designation as an
authorized emergency vehicle pursuant to section 321.451.
Sec. 3. Section 321.231, subsection 3, Code 2026, is amended
by striking the subsection.
Sec. 4. Section 321.231, subsection 5, Code 2026, is amended
to read as follows:
5. a. The exemptions granted to the driver of an authorized
emergency vehicle under subsection 2 and to the driver of
an offi-c-i-al fir e d e partment v e hicl e, — polic e vehicl e, — r e scu e
v eh-i-cle, — ambulanc e ,— emerg e ncy m e dical s ervices vehicl e, — ef-
em e rg e ncy managem e nt vehicle as provid e d in subsection 3 shall
apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible
warning device meeting the requirements of section 321.433 or a
visual signaling device authorized under this chapter.
b. The exemption granted under subsection -3- 2» paragraph
"b" "g" , shall be granted to a peace officer or reserve peace
officer operating an authorized emergency vehicle without using
an audible warning device or visual signaling device if such
action occurs over the shortest distance necessary, does not
recklessly endanger persons or property, and if the officer
is pursuing a suspected violator of the speed restrictions
imposed by or pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of
determining the speed of travel of such suspected violator,
or if the officer reasonably believes based on the facts and
circumstances at the time that a suspected violator's knowledge
of the officer's proximity may cause the suspected violator
to destroy evidence of a suspected felony or aggravated
House File 2655, p. 3
misdemeanor, evade apprehension, or endanger the public or the
officer .
c. The exemption granted under subsection -3 2, paragraph
"g" > shall be granted to the driver of an authorized
emergency vehicle transporting a patient to a hospital without
using a visual signaling device or audible warning device if a
certified emergency medical care provider reasonably believes
the patient's condition warrants rapid transport.
_ c<L^
PAT GRASSLEY AMY SINCLAIR
Speaker ^f the House President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 2655, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approved ' 2026
_
NŒEHAN NELSON
Thiyf ClerÇ^jf the House
Kim Reynolds £ \
Governor