This bill establishes regulations regarding the audio volume of commercial advertisements transmitted by video streaming services in Iowa. Effective July 1, 2026, video streaming services must ensure that the audio volume of their commercial advertisements does not exceed the volume of the accompanying video programming or content. The bill defines "video streaming service" and clarifies that it does not include traditional television broadcast stations or entities that provide commercial-free content. Additionally, it outlines that the enforcement of these regulations will align with federal standards set by the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act.

The Iowa Utilities Commission is granted the authority to enforce compliance with this bill. If the commission believes a video streaming service is violating the volume regulation, it can initiate civil actions to stop further violations and impose penalties of up to $500 for each infraction, with each day of violation counted separately. The bill also allows video streaming services to demonstrate compliance either by providing evidence of actual adherence to the regulations or by following the recommended practices from the Advanced Television Systems Committee. Importantly, the bill specifies that it does not create a private right of action for individuals.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 474.1