SF 22: A bill for an act relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while driving, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable. Effective date: 07/01/2025. - Iowa

Enrolled → Enrolled with Governor's Action · 6 edits · Apr 2, 2025

MODERATE

This bill establishes statewide rules for using electronic devices while driving, replacing local ordinances with uniform state standards. It defines what counts as an electronic device, prohibits using hand-held devices while driving except at complete stops, and creates specific exemptions for emergency situations, public transit, and utility workers. The law also sets penalties for violations and outlines how licenses may be suspended or revoked for repeat offenders.

Scope change

The bill expands applicability by preempting local county and municipal ordinances, ensuring consistent enforcement across all of Iowa. It adds new exemptions for specific groups including public safety personnel, emergency responders, public transit employees, and utility maintenance workers.

DEFINITION

Added clear definitions for 'electronic device' and 'voice-activated or hands-free mode' to clarify what is prohibited and what exceptions exist.

ENFORCEMENT

Established that violations will not be considered moving violations and created a process for license suspension after one violation and revocation after two or more violations.

REQUIREMENT

Required uniform implementation of electronic device restrictions throughout the state, preventing local variations in enforcement.

Modified existing traffic laws to include electronic device restrictions and updated penalty schedules for violations.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions for public safety personnel, emergency responders, public transit employees, utility workers, and transportation network company drivers under specific conditions.

TIMELINE

Set a repeal date of January 1, 2026 for the provision requiring peace officers to issue warning memorandums instead of citations.

Introduced → Signed Enrolled Bill (PDF) · 5 edits · Apr 2, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Iowa's laws regarding the use of electronic devices while driving, specifically clarifying that voice-activated or hands-free modes are permitted exceptions to restrictions. It establishes new definitions for 'electronic device' and 'voice-activated or hands-free mode,' outlines penalties for violations, and preempts local ordinances that attempt to regulate this issue differently. The bill also includes special exemptions for emergency personnel, public safety workers, and others performing official duties.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of permitted device use by explicitly allowing voice-activated or hands-free operation while driving, while simultaneously restricting hand-held device use to specific exceptions like emergencies or when the vehicle is stopped.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'electronic device' (including phones, tablets, and similar portable devices) and 'voice-activated or hands-free mode' (verbal commands or single-touch activation), excluding integrated navigation systems.

REQUIREMENT

Drivers are prohibited from using hand-held electronic devices to write, send, or view messages while driving, unless the vehicle is completely stopped or the driver is using voice-activated/hands-free features.

ENFORCEMENT

The Department of Transportation can suspend or revoke restricted work licenses for violations, and violations are classified as non-moving violations to prevent traffic citations from affecting driving records.

SCOPE

The state law preempts any county or municipal ordinances that attempt to regulate electronic device use differently, ensuring uniform enforcement across Iowa.

ELIGIBILITY

Exemptions were created for specific groups including public safety officers, healthcare professionals in emergencies, utility workers, and transportation network company drivers when not in motion.

Signed Enrolled Bill (PDF) → Enrolled · 3 edits · Apr 2, 2025

MINOR

This document shows the transition of Senate File 22 from a signed enrolled bill to its final enrolled version. The primary substantive change involves the removal of the Governor's signature and transmission letter, while the legislative text itself remains substantially unchanged. The bill regulates electronic device use while driving, specifically permitting voice-activated or hands-free operation while prohibiting other uses.

TECHNICAL

Removed the Governor's signature page, transmission letter to Secretary of State, and various formatting artifacts including page headers, footers, and graphical elements that were part of the signed PDF version.

Added clean formatting with line numbers and page references (Senate File 22, p. 2-4) to the enrolled version for official record-keeping purposes.

Corrected minor formatting inconsistencies in the text, such as standardizing spacing around section references and ensuring consistent capitalization in the title and section headers.

A bill for an act relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while driving, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable. Effective date: 07/01/2025.

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