Transportation – Week of March 24, 2011

STAFF CONTACT:  Hannah Garden-Monheit

HF 290 – Motorcycles with stabilizing wheels

HF 465 – Retractable Axles

SF 312 – Business-trade and Special Truck License Plates

COMMITTEE ACTION:

HF 465 allows the operator of a vehicle with a retractable axle to exceed weight limitations while raising the axle to make a turn. [3/16: 11-0, Danielson, McCoy excused]

FLOOR ACTION:

HF 290 allows for a motorcycle with two removable stabilizing rear wheels to be operated on Iowa roads. [3/21: 48-0, Seymour, Ward excused]

SF 312, as amended, phases out the license plates for business-trade trucks and special farm trucks. Currently, persons receiving these discount registrations are required to display a license plate that says “business-trade” or “special” on it. Under the bill, the next time these plates are replaced the owner of a vehicle with these types of registration will be eligible for a regular license plate or any of the specialty plates currently available to everyone else. Owners have the option of replacing their license plates sooner at their own cost. The bill does not change registration or license plate fees. The bill also prohibits a business-trade and special truck vehicles from having more than one set of firefighter plates. Additionally, the bill creates new license plates for veterans awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Medical Badge, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge. [3/21: 48-0, Seymour, Ward excused]