Transportation

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 569: A bill for an act relating to mandatory revocation of driver’s licenses, including immediate revocation for certain excessive speed violations.

HF 569 requires immediate revocation of Iowa driver's licenses for drivers caught speeding at 100 miles per hour or more. Peace officers can take the license on the spot, issue a 10-day temporary license, and send it to the Department of Transportation. The license is revoked for 30 days with no option for a temporary restricted license during that period. This applies specifically to drivers exceeding 100 mph, not other speeding violations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enforces license revocation for 100+ mph speeding, enhancing road safety under transportation vehicle regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 938: A bill for an act relating to police, fire department, and other emergency vehicles.

HF 938 updates Iowa's emergency vehicle equipment standards. It requires police, fire, EMS, and emergency management vehicles purchased or refurbished after specific dates (2021-2022) to have: rear zone amber lights or arrows (not on front/sides), a master switch to activate all emergency lights, and sirens with at least two distinct tones. The bill also removes redundant "official" wording before vehicle lists in the law. These changes directly affect state and local emergency vehicle operators by standardizing safety equipment requirements. The bill does not alter when emergency vehicles may exceed speed limits or run red lights.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUpdates emergency vehicle safety standards with mandatory lights/sirens, directly enhancing road safety for transportation responders per bill's focus on vehicle regulations.95% confidence

Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

Track

passed · Iowa · House Mar 26, 2026

HF 788: A bill for an act requiring state employees to provide a specimen for alcohol and drug analysis following certain motor vehicle accidents or collisions resulting in serious injury or death under certain circumstances, and making penalties applicable.

HF 788 requires Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) employees operating state-owned commercial vehicles to provide a urine sample for alcohol and drug testing within two hours after any accident causing injury or death. The employee must submit the sample to a peace officer, though they may pay for an independent test at their own expense (though this doesn’t prevent the required test from being used as evidence). Failure to comply is a simple misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $855 fine. This applies only when no blood, breath, or urine test was already taken under existing traffic laws.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires DOT employees to provide drug/alcohol tests after commercial vehicle accidents causing injury/death, enhancing transportation safety standards per bill's focus on accident prevention.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HF 529: A bill for an act relating to the maximum weight of vehicles powered primarily by natural gas or electric battery, and making penalties applicable.

HF 529 allows natural gas and electric battery-powered trucks in Iowa to exceed standard 80,000-pound weight limits up to 82,000 pounds, removing a previous requirement that the extra weight must directly offset the heavier fuel system. This change applies to commercial trucking companies operating these specific vehicle types, directly affecting their weight compliance. The bill modifies existing weight regulations by simplifying the calculation for allowable excess weight, while maintaining current penalty structures for overweight vehicles (fines from $12 to $2,200 plus $0.10 per pound over limit). It aims to align weight rules with the physical characteristics of alternative-fuel vehicles without altering enforcement penalties.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRemoves weight offset requirement for electric/natural gas trucks, facilitating adoption of sustainable transport vehicles per bill's focus on alternative fuel trucks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 528: A bill for an act relating to reckless driving and excessive speed, and making penalties applicable.

HF 528 reclassifies speeding 25 miles per hour or more over the limit as reckless driving under Iowa law. This change means drivers who exceed speed limits by 25+ mph will now face reckless driving charges instead of standard speeding penalties. If such speeding unintentionally causes death, it becomes a class C felony (up to 10 years in prison); if it causes serious injury, it becomes a class D felony (up to 5 years). The bill directly affects drivers who speed significantly, with penalties escalating based on the outcome of the violation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for speeding-related deaths/injuries to felonies, strengthening punitive sentencing rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens road safety by reclassifying severe speeding as reckless driving with felony penalties for causing death/injury, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 542: A bill for an act relating to operators of motor vehicles approaching certain slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles, and making penalties applicable.

HF 542 requires drivers to approach slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles (operating at 15 mph or less) with caution, mirroring existing rules for stationary emergency vehicles. Drivers must change lanes if safe, or reduce speed below the limit and be prepared to stop if lane changes aren't possible. The bill defines "slow-moving" as 15 mph or less for emergency vehicles performing official duties. Violations remain a simple misdemeanor with a $135 fine, plus potential higher fines and license suspensions if accidents cause injury or death. This applies only to emergency vehicles, not other slow-moving vehicles like construction or utility vehicles.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates driver caution around slow-moving emergency vehicles, enhancing road safety standards for transportation infrastructure operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety Tags Public Safety

Track

signed · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2025

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.

SF 22 regulates how drivers can use electronic devices while operating a vehicle. It specifically addresses the use of these devices in a voice-activated or hands-free mode. The bill establishes penalties for any violations of these new rules. These provisions and penalties are set to become effective on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRegulates device use while driving to enhance road safety, directly supporting transportation safety standards through new penalties for violations.95% confidence

passed · Iowa · House Apr 30, 2025

HF 918: A bill for an act relating to motor vehicle financial liability coverage, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

HF 918 modifies Iowa law regarding motor vehicle financial liability coverage. It requires vehicle owners to certify and provide proof of insurance when registering or renewing their motor vehicle registration, effective December 1, 2028. The bill also revises penalties for operating a vehicle without coverage, increasing fines, particularly for violations connected to an accident or for repeat offenses. Drivers cited for lacking coverage can have their charge dismissed if they provide proof that coverage was in effect at the time of the stop, though court costs will be assessed. Fines collected will be distributed among the victim compensation fund, counties, and the state general fund.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enforces insurance requirements for vehicle registration, increasing penalties for operating without coverage - particularly in accidents - to enhance road safety and financial responsibility, aligning with transportation safety indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

Track

in committee · Iowa · House May 13, 2025

HSB 237: A bill for an act relating to fuel taxation by extending tax credits for E-85 and E-15 gasoline, and biodiesel, and extending sales tax refunds for biodiesel production.

HSB 237 extends several existing tax credits and sales tax refunds related to renewable fuels. It prolongs the availability of tax credits for retail dealers who sell E-85 gasoline, E-15 plus gasoline, and biodiesel blended fuel. Additionally, the bill extends sales tax refunds for companies that produce biodiesel. These provisions, previously set to expire between 2026 and 2028, are generally extended until December 31, 2030, or January 1, 2030. The bill also ensures these tax credits are available for an entire tax year for retail dealers whose tax year does not align with the repeal date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax credits and sales tax refunds for renewable fuels, maintaining fiscal incentives without increasing taxes or defunding programs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends tax credits for renewable fuels (E-85, E-15, biodiesel), directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure through financial incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends tax credits for renewable fuels (E-85, biodiesel) to promote sustainable transportation alternatives and reduce fossil fuel reliance, aligning with sustainable transportation indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transportation Funding

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 5, 2025

HF 74: A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor.

This bill clarifies Iowa's regulation for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances (like scooters and mobility devices) by defining their maximum motor power output as "not more than 750 watts." It directly affects owners and users of these devices, ensuring they remain classified separately from standard motor vehicles. The bill specifies that devices meeting this power limit - equipped with pedals for e-bikes or designed for pedestrian use - will not be subject to standard vehicle laws. Devices exceeding 750 watts would instead fall under motor vehicle regulations. The change primarily clarifies existing language without altering the 750-watt threshold.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies regulations for e-bikes/scooters under 750W, enabling sustainable transport use by preventing classification as motor vehicles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety

Track