A bill for an act relating to certain state highways not designated as part of the interstate road system, including the operation of implements of husbandry on such highways, and including applicability provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HF 1025 blocks interstate designation on US‑65/IA‑5 segment unless federal weight exemptions exist, and temporarily allows farm implements there until an alternate route is opened.

Signed by Governor.

#highways #implementsofhusbandry

Summary — HF 1025 (Signed May 27, 2025)

Purpose
- HF 1025 addresses the potential conversion of certain segments of State Highway 5 / U.S. Highway 65 to interstate status and preserves temporary access for agricultural equipment (implements of husbandry) while an alternative route is developed.

Key provisions
- Interstate-designation prohibition (new Iowa Code §314.16A)
- The Iowa DOT and State Transportation Commission are prohibited from pursuing an interstate designation for the controlled‑access segment carrying State Highway 5 and U.S. Highway 65 between Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 unless the U.S. government grants a federal exemption for vehicle weight and size on that segment.
- Any federal exemption must allow vehicles that were lawful on the segment before designation to continue to operate there after it becomes an interstate.

Implements of husbandry grandfathering (amendment to Iowa Code §321.285(5)(e))

Vehicles (or equipment) unable to attain 40 mph are generally prohibited on the interstate system. HF 1025 creates an exception for implements of husbandry that were authorized to operate on the US‑65/IA‑5 segment between US‑6 and US‑69 (and, if DOT authorizes, farther west beyond US‑69) prior to the date that particular segment becomes part of the interstate system.
That exception is temporary: it is repealed once an alternative route for implements of husbandry — deemed suitable by DOT in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship — is developed and opened to traffic. DOT must notify the Iowa Code editor when that alternative route opens.

Alternative route study and development

The DOT must collaborate with the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as the MPO conducts an alternative highway study to develop and implement an accessible route suitable for implements of husbandry to operate alongside (but not on) the US‑65 / IA‑5 segment between US‑6 and US‑69.

Applicability

The Act applies to the described segment on its effective date and continues to apply to that physical segment regardless of future changes to its highway designations by state or federal authorities.

Who is affected
- Farmers and agricultural operators who use implements of husbandry along the affected segment (grandfathered operation until an alternative route is opened).
- Iowa DOT and State Transportation Commission (restrictions on pursuing interstate designation without federal exemption; responsibility to collaborate on and implement an alternative route).
- Des Moines Area MPO (lead on conducting the alternative‑highway study in collaboration with DOT).
- Federal government (would need to provide a specific exemption to enable interstate designation without disrupting existing vehicle access).

Procedural/timeline notes
- Introduced: April 17, 2025. Passed House (Apr 22, 2025), passed Senate (May 12, 2025; 50–0). Enrolled and sent to Governor (May 19, 2025). Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on May 27, 2025 — now law.
- The grandfather exception remains in effect until DOT (with Ag Department input) certifies and opens an alternative route; DOT must notify the Iowa Code editor on that date, at which point the exception repeals automatically.