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SF490 • 2026

A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor. (Formerly SF 375 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor. (Formerly SF 375 .) 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
2026-04-30
Official status
Signed by Governor . S.J. 947 .
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor. (Formerly SF 375 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor.

What This Bill Does

  • A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor.
  • (Formerly SF 375 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-30 Iowa Legislature

    Signed by Governor . S.J. 947 .

  2. 2026-04-30 Iowa Legislature

    Reported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor. S.J. 947 .

  3. 2026-03-09 Iowa Legislature

    Message from House. S.J. 491 .

  4. 2026-03-05 Iowa Legislature

    Immediate message. H.J. 601 .

  5. 2026-03-05 Iowa Legislature

    Passed House , yeas 82, nays 4. H.J. 588 .

  6. 2026-01-29 Iowa Legislature

    Placed on calendar. H.J. 183 .

  7. 2026-01-28 Iowa Legislature

    Committee vote: Yeas, 19. Nays, 0. Excused, 2. H.J. 183 .

  8. 2026-01-28 Iowa Legislature

    Committee report, recommending passage. H.J. 183 .

  9. 2026-01-22 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee recommends passage.

  10. 2026-01-21 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee Meeting: 01/22/2026 7:45AM RM 103.

  11. 2026-01-20 Iowa Legislature

    Subcommittee: Henderson, Meyer, A. and Scholten. H.J. 126 .

  12. 2025-12-31 Iowa Legislature

    * * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *

  13. 2025-05-15 Iowa Legislature

    Rereferred to Transportation. H.J. 1221 .

  14. 2025-04-03 Iowa Legislature

    Placed on calendar under unfinished business. H.J. 894 .

  15. 2025-03-24 Iowa Legislature

    Read first time, passed on file. H.J. 788 .

  16. 2025-03-24 Iowa Legislature

    Message from Senate. H.J. 777 .

  17. 2025-03-24 Iowa Legislature

    Immediate message. S.J. 616 .

  18. 2025-03-24 Iowa Legislature

    Passed Senate , yeas 49, nays 0. S.J. 614 .

  19. 2025-03-04 Iowa Legislature

    Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 410 .

  20. 2025-03-04 Iowa Legislature

    Introduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 400 .

Official Summary Text

A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor. (Formerly SF 375 .) Effective date: 07/01/2026.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
STATE OF IOWA
KIM REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
April 30, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
Senate File 490, an Act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric
bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor.
The above Senate File is hereby approved on this date.
Sincerely,
KifnP^^lds!
Govemor of Iowa
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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Senate File 490
AN ACT
RELATING TO THE MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT FOR LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC
BICYCLES AND PEDESTRIAN CONVEYANCES POWERED BY AN ELECTRIC
MOTOR.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. Section 321.1, subsection 36A, unnumbered
paragraph 1, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
'^Low-speed electric bicycle** means a device having equipped
with a saddle or seat for the use of a rider, two or three
wheels_j_ equipped with fully operable pedals, and an electric
motor of less than that produces not more than seven hundred
fifty watts that meets, and is classified in accordance with
the following requirements of one of the following claoscs:
Sec. 2. Section 321.1, subsection 51A, Code 2025, is amended
to read as follows:
51A, ^Pedestrian conveyance** means any human-powered device
by which a pedestrian may move other than by walking or by
which a pedestrian may move another person, including but not
limited to a wheelchair, stroller, skateboard, scooter, or
other similar device. ^Pedestrian conveyance** also includes
an electric personal assistive mobility device and any other
device used to move a person sitting or standing on the device
regardless of whether the device is powered by an electric
Senate File 490, p. 2
motor, so long as the electric motor produces less not more
than seven hundred fifty watts. ^Pedestrian conveyance" does
not include a bicycle.
AMY SINCLAIR
President of the Senate
PAT GRASSLEY.
Speaker o^^he House
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate and
is known as Senate File 490, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approved 2026
W. CHARLES SMITHSON
Secretaa of _the Senate
KIM RE
Governor