(Iowa Department of Transportation)
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has enacted a law backed by the state trucking association to strengthen the trucking industry’s independent contractor model in the state.
Spearheaded by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, Senate File 377 was an act to prohibit “the consideration of the deployment, implementation or use of a motor carrier safety improvement when determining a person’s employment status.”
The measure was introduced Feb. 19 by the state Senate Transportation Committee during the 2025-2026 91st General Assembly. It was shepherded by state Sen. Dan Zumbach (R), chair of the Transportation Committee, and state Rep. Norlin Mommsen (R), who serves on the House Transportation Committee.
“Essentially the model language that passed out of both chambers will clarify that if an owner contracts with an independent contractor to have, for example, safety equipment (cameras) in their vehicles, this provision cannot be interpreted to changing the independent contractor’s status to that of an employee,” explained Brenda Neville, IMTA president and CEO. “There was no opposition to this legislation on either side of the aisle. It was considered good legislation by both Republican and Democrat leaders. We are always looking for ways to make Iowa a great place to work and this [bill] easily falls into that category.”
The bill passed the Legislature on March 28 and was signed into law that day by Reynolds. It takes effect July 1.
“While Iowa has some very good code language specific to independent contractors, and there has not been an issue in Iowa, some recent court cases prompted the association to look at this legislation,” Neville said. “We viewed it to be more pre-emptive in nature to ensure independent contractors are further protected here in Iowa.”
The bill was drafted using model language that has been approved in the following 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia.
“This is part of a nationwide effort by the trucking industry to further strengthen the independent contractor model,” Neville added.
