Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF475

Introduced
2/19/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to financial institution acceptance of negotiable instruments, and providing penalties.

Impact

The enactment of HF475 will delineate specific responsibilities and protocols for financial institutions within Iowa regarding the acceptance of negotiable instruments. It establishes a framework that obligates banks, credit unions, and similar entities to not only accept these instruments without rigid conditions (like account opening or identification presentation), but ensures timely cash settlements which could significantly affect cash flow for individuals relying on such payment methods. This law aims to enhance consumer protections while ensuring a level of financial institution accountability.

Summary

House File 475 pertains to the acceptance of negotiable instruments by financial institutions in Iowa. The bill mandates that financial institutions are obligated to accept any negotiable instrument presented for payment, which should lead to the issuance of a conditional credit to the issuer of the instrument. Moreover, the institutions are required to make a good-faith effort to obtain payment from the original issuer of the instrument and must remit cash within two days following successful payment. This is intended to facilitate financial transactions and provide better service to individuals and businesses that utilize negotiable instruments.

Contention

One of the notable points in the bill includes the civil penalties that could be assessed against financial institutions that deny acceptance of a negotiable instrument three times or more. The proposed penalties range from a minimum of ten thousand dollars to a maximum of twenty-five thousand dollars, which may prompt debate among legislators about the appropriateness of such fines and the implications for financial institutions' operational practices. Discussions may also arise regarding the balance between regulatory protections for consumers and the potential burdens placed upon financial institutions that must adapt to these new requirements.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF2474

A bill for an act relating to financial institution acceptance of negotiable instruments, and providing penalties.

IA HF2409

A bill for an act relating to discrimination in the provision of financial services, and providing civil penalties.

IA SSB3094

A bill for an act relating to discrimination in the provision of financial services, and providing civil penalties.

IA HSB671

A bill for an act relating to government records of firearms, and payment card transactions involving firearms and ammunition, and providing civil penalties.(See HF 2464.)

IA HF2464

A bill for an act relating to merchant category codes for transactions involving firearms and ammunition, firearm registries and records, and providing civil penalties. (Formerly HSB 671.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF2221

A bill for an act relating to payment card transactions involving firearms and ammunition, and providing civil penalties.

IA HSB601

A bill for an act relating to money transmission services, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 2262.)

IA SSB3110

A bill for an act relating to money transmission services, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 2294.)

IA HF2262

A bill for an act relating to money transmission services, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 601.) Effective date: 04/10/2024. Applicability date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF431

A bill for an act relating to money transmission services.(Formerly HSB 128; See HF 675.)

Similar Bills

IA HF2474

A bill for an act relating to financial institution acceptance of negotiable instruments, and providing penalties.

LA SB217

Adopts the Uniform Prudent Management of Institution Funds Act. (7/1/10)

LA SB79

Provides with respect to the prudent management of institutional funds. (1/1/2011)

TX HB2223

Relating to developmental coursework offered by public institutions of higher education under the Texas Success Initiative.

MS HB1367

Real property; establish process to remove discriminatory language from recorded instruments of conveyance.

CA AB76

Money laundering: blockchain technology.

TX SB1564

Relating to developmental education courses and the assessment of student readiness under the Texas Success Initiative for public institutions of higher education.

AZ HB2182

ALTCS; preadmission screening; cognitive impairment