A proposal moving through the state legislature would raise the speed limit on many two-lane highways from 55 to 60 miles per hour. Lawmakers in the Iowa House passed the measure 76-16.
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford tells RadioOnTheGo News the update reflects modern driving conditions and could improve traffic flow across rural parts of the state.
“This is my 20th legislative session. This is a question you often get, especially in our rural areas. Have you guys ever considered increasing the speed limit? We made the decision as a caucus and it was actually quite enthusiastic for a willingness. And I think many of my colleagues are hearing similar things to us as why have we never increased this? It’s been in place for a long time. And so we feel that given the option for local communities to be able to increase that level within our counties is something that we at least should consider and give them that ability to do. I will tell you, it’s kind of interesting to that topic. We’ve had a tremendous amount of feedback and very positive feedback since we passed that. Like you said, it wasn’t something that was on our earlier priority list. It was something that came up from the Senate, but there’s been a tremendous amount of outpouring of support here over the last few days.”
Grassley notes the increase wouldn’t apply everywhere as state officials would still be able to lower speed limits in areas where safety is a concern. If signed into law, the new speed limit would take effect July 1.
Meanwhile, another issue important to Iowa’s agricultural community is also gaining traction at the Statehouse.
A “right-to-repair” bill has advanced out of subcommittee, aiming to give farmers more freedom to fix their own equipment. Supporters say the change could reduce costly delays during critical planting and harvest seasons, while also lowering repair expenses.
The proposal would require manufacturers to provide access to parts, tools, and diagnostic information—something Grassley says is long overdue for modern, high-tech farm machinery.
“We’ve had two different bills moving through the process this session. This one is a little bit more narrowly focused on just the issue of right to repair. I think finally we’re to a point in the legislature where we’ve actually been able to take action on it, which would basically be looked at from the standpoint when we’ve talked to farmers, given them the ability to use alternative options to be able to have repairs. We get asked a lot of questions. ‘What are you doing for agriculture?’ This is something that continues to come up about with high parts prices, high maintenance prices and all the things and repair prices across state, that giving some flexibility to farmers to be able to decide how they best think to repair their equipment or who they want to work with in doing that.”
The bill now heads to the Ways and Means Committee before it would move to the house floor.
Full interview below
