Transportation Committee Report – week 9, 2017

SF 265 – Safe operation of bicycles
SSB 1036– Enforcement of motor vehicle laws by the DOT
SSB 1038 – Money collected on driver’s abstracts
SSB 1140 –Lienholders of motor vehicles
SSB 1149 –Installation of cattle guards
SSB 1178 – Possession of salvage motor vehicles
HF 218 – Maximum length for a single truck
HF 289 –Issuance of drivers’ license

 

FLOOR ACTION

HF 312 permits a motor vehicle to stand unattended without first stopping the engine.
[3/8: 49-0 (Chelgren excused)]

 

COMMITTEE ACTION

SF 265 requires motorists to change lanes to pass bicycles, unless they encounter bicycles using a paved shoulder or dedicated bike lane. It also allows motorists to pass bicyclists in a no-passing zone if there is no oncoming traffic and other safety provisions for passing apply (e.g., not near a crest of a hill, bridge, tunnel, viaduct or intersection). The bill also requires a cyclist to have a steady or flashing rear red light to be visible at 300 feet from dusk to dawn, as well as in conditions of fog, sleet and rain. The bill allows a bicyclist 72 hours to replace or repair a front or rear lamp and have their citation expunged.
[3/1: short form]

 

SSB 1036 authorizes peace officers employed by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to enforce all laws of the state including, but not limited to, the rules and regulations of the DOT. States employees designated as peace officers will primarily engage in federal and state motor carrier safety and the lawful operation of commercial motor vehicle operators. The maximum age for a person employed as a peace officer with the DOT is 65. The bill also strikes the provision that commercial learner permits must be renewed after 180 days and makes the permit valid for one year with no renewal period.
[3/1: 8-5 (Danielson, Horn, Bertrand, Anderson, Brown “no”)]

 

SSB 1038 provides that money collected for a certified driver’s abstract by the Department of Administrative Services and the Office of the Chief Information Officer will transfer to the State treasurer, who will credit the money to the General Fund.
[3/1: short form]

 

SSB 1140 decreases the time from 20 days to five days that the police or a private entity is required to notify by certified mail to the last known registered owner and all lienholders of record that a vehicle has been taken into custody.
[3/1: short form]

 

SSB 1149 permits a landowner who owns property on both sides of a street or highway “dead end” to install a cattle guard where using a fence has continually been impaired by flooding. The road must serve no residence and exit to a secondary road.
[3/1: short form]

 

SSB 1179 provides that an insurer may apply for and be issued a salvage title without surrendering the certification of title if ownership of the vehicle was transferred or will be transferred to the insurer. This is pursuant to a settlement with the previous owner of the vehicle arising from damage to the vehicle and 30 days have expired since the effective date of the settlement. The insurer must submit an application to the county treasurer where the vehicle is stored and must have an affidavit from the insurer that two written attempts to obtain a properly assigned certificate of title were attempted and failed.
[3/1: short form]

 

HF 218 increases the maximum length for a single truck from 41 feet to 45 feet, but does not increase the weight. A single truck may exceed 45 feet when applying for a permit. Violation of the Code is a penalty of $200.
[3/8: short form]

 

HF 289 authorizes Carroll and Clay counties to issue driver’s licenses, non-operator ID cards and persons with disabilities identification tags.
[3/8: short form]