Iowa Public Safety Grants

HSB 704 Proposed Restrictions, Not Current Law

The 2024 HSB 704 text proposed prohibiting government agencies from acquiring or using drones from certain “countries of concern,” classifying drones by data capability, isolating networks, scanning data transfers and restricting foreign access to certain data. It also proposed a July 1, 2029 phaseout with recurring notices to HSEM. These are provisions in the bill text; an introduced study bill does not establish a present deadline or required six-month reporting. See HSB 704’s legislative page.

HF 2646’s 2026 history shows introduction and a fiscal note, with no enactment. That proposal used different procurement tests, so do not conflate the two bills or present either as a statewide manufacturer blacklist in force.

Existing Iowa Drone Operation Rules

Iowa Code chapter 715E defines offenses involving intrusion and surveillance by remotely piloted aircraft over certain homesteads and farmsteads. Section 715E.6 lists exceptions, including government entities and specified consent or FAA-compliant commercial uses. That chapter is not HSB 704’s proposed manufacturer ban or network-control scheme. Confirm the mission, agency policy, property permissions, evidence handling and FAA public-safety authority; avoid treating a statutory exception as permission to ignore other applicable rules.

Federal Grants and Supply-Chain Checks

OMB M-26-02 Appendix D implements the American Security Drone Act restriction on federal financial assistance from December 22, 2025. Federal award funds generally may not procure or be used in connection with operating FASC-prohibited UAS, subject to authorized exceptions and waivers. Section 889 addresses certain telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment and services. FCC Covered List restrictions, TAA rules for covered federal acquisitions and Blue UAS vetting have distinct scopes. The companion guide explains the differences.

Iowa Information Security and State IT Procurement

Iowa’s Information Security Standard applies to defined state agencies and covers information systems that process, store, transmit or monitor digital information, including purchased services and off-site storage. It addresses risk assessments, network connections, system updates, privacy and incidents. Nonparticipating agencies are encouraged to follow enterprise guidance; local agencies should apply their own policies.

For participating agencies, the DoIT IT Governance Initiation Process requests data types and storage location and adds cybersecurity review when sensitive information will be processed or stored. Review aircraft companion apps, cameras, live feeds, evidence repositories and remote vendor access as an integrated system.

Select the Right Iowa Funding Route

BJA’s FY 2026 state JAG allocation for Iowa is $2,102,754, administered through ODCP’s competitive pass-through route. The separate FY 2026 direct local JAG total is $698,014 for listed jurisdictions; disparate groups use one fiscal agent and an MOU. BJA’s open local notice lists October 9 (Grants.gov) and October 16, 2026 (JustGrants) deadlines, Eastern time.

HSEM’s SHSP requires a homeland-security preparedness purpose and state subgrant process; the 2026 Iowa application deadline was March 27. SLCGP targets systemic cyber risk, not a general drone fleet. GTSB highway safety is tied to traffic-safety outcomes; its FFY 2027 application deadline was February 28, 2026. Obtain specific written equipment approval before ordering.

Practical Iowa UAS Procurement Checklist

1. 1Identify the funds and mission. Record direct federal, state pass-through and local shares, the applicant, proposed use, award conditions and any required equipment approval.
2. 2Screen the whole system. Request supplier ownership, country of origin, aircraft, cameras, radios, controller, firmware, software, cloud and subcontractor details.
3. 3Apply federal tests separately. Check FASC-prohibited UAS status and award terms for federal funds; review Section 889, FCC and TAA rules when each actually applies. Blue UAS status alone is not approval.
4. 4Map data flows. Document telemetry, imagery and evidence storage, remote support, updates, encryption, retention, access and incident response with the state or local IT team.
5. 5Complete applicable IT review. For participating state agencies, use Iowa DoIT procurement governance; purchases involving sensitive information call for additional cybersecurity review.
6. 6Confirm operating authority. Document FAA authorization, property or mission permissions, agency policy and applicable provisions of Iowa Code chapter 715E.
7. 7Preserve procurement evidence. Keep the official notice, vendor representations, security analysis, approvals, exceptions and mission records with the purchase file.