Iowa House Bill HSB135

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the recycling of battery electric motor vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicles, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 548.)

Summary

House Study Bill 135 would create a new requirement for authorized vehicle recyclers who handle battery electric motor vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2027, those recyclers could not recycle those vehicles unless they have completed a Department of Transportation-approved education program focused on high-voltage battery safe handling and storage, and they must display proof of completion alongside their recycler license. The bill directs the Iowa DOT to approve qualifying training programs and to issue completion certificates to recyclers who finish them. It also ties the new requirement to existing vehicle recycler licensing rules under chapter 321H, which already regulate certain dismantling, salvage, and recycling activities. A violation would be treated as a serious misdemeanor, carrying the standard criminal penalties for that offense.

Impact

The bill would amend Iowa’s vehicle recycler regulatory framework by adding a specialized training and certification condition for recyclers that process EVs and plug-in hybrids. It would not broadly change who must be licensed as an authorized vehicle recycler, but it would impose an additional compliance step for handling high-voltage battery vehicles and would require public display of the training certificate at the recycler’s business. The measure also creates a new enforcement mechanism through criminal penalties for noncompliance.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill was received favorably at the committee level, passing the House Committee on Transportation unanimously 21-0. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded debate to indicate broader support or opposition arguments. Based on the text, the bill appears framed as a safety and training measure rather than a restrictive policy change, which may have contributed to the lack of recorded dissent.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the added regulatory burden on authorized vehicle recyclers, especially smaller businesses that would need to obtain DOT-approved training and maintain visible certification. Another possible issue is the use of criminal penalties for noncompliance, since a violation is treated as a serious misdemeanor. On the other hand, the bill’s supporters would likely emphasize safety concerns associated with high-voltage batteries in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and the need for standardized handling and storage practices.