HF 387 – Motor truck distances
HF 389 – Electronic licensing of boats
HF 643 – Driver’s licenses for the deaf
SF 227 – Displaying one plate on antique vehicle
SF 302 – Automated driving system
COMMITTEE ACTION:
HF 387 – Motor truck distances
HF 387 repeals two sections of the Code relating to following distance of certain vehicles. Under current law, motor trucks and motor vehicles drawing another vehicle are prohibited from following within 300 feet of another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle. This bill strikes these requirements and the related penalties.
[4/1: short form]
HF 389 – Electronic licensing of boats
HF 389 contains provisions to bring the Code in line with electronic licensing systems on boats. It adds a 60-day grace period from when the boat registrations are due before a $5 penalty is required. It allows changes to be made to boat registrations in any county rather than just the county in which the boat was registered. It removes the requirement for the owner of the boat with an expired registration to first register the boat prior to selling it, the requirement for an application for a title to be notarized and the requirement for a dealer to notify a county recorder of acquisitions. The bill also extends the deadline for filing registration applications and fees from the sale of boats, ATVs and snowmobiles with the country recorders from 15 to 30 days.
[4/1: short form]
HF 643 – Driver’s licenses for the deaf
HF 643 allows a deaf or hard-of-hearing person to request that their driver’s license reflect that status on the face of the license when they apply for issuance or renewal. The bill authorizes the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to adopt rules to establish criteria under which the license is marked with deaf or hard-of-hearing status. Once marked, the licenses must be noted in the electronic database used by the DOT and law enforcement. The bill also instructs the DOT to work with the Commission of Deaf Services to develop educational media to raise awareness about the ability to request such a mark on a license.
[4/1: short form]
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 227 – Displaying one plate on antique vehicle
SF 227 permits antique vehicles (25 years and older) and vehicles that would require modification by adding or mounting hardware, drilling or adhesives, to display only the rear plate. The other registration plate must be carried in the vehicle at all times. Police may only enforce a violation as a secondary offense.
[4/1: 34-14 (No: Bisignano, Bolkcom, Boulton, Celsi, Dotzler, Giddens, Hogg, Jochum, Kinney, Mathis, Petersen, Quirmbach, Rozenboom, Wahls; Excused: Breitbach, Zaun)]
SF 302 – Automated driving system
SF 302 allows driverless-capable vehicles to operate on public highways without a human driver physically present in the vehicle if:
- It is capable of achieving minimal risk conditions if a malfunction occurs that renders it unable to perform any dynamic driving task.
- While driverless, it is capable of operating in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws that govern dynamic driving tasks.
- It is in compliance with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
- The owner has submitted to the DOT proof of financial liability coverage.
The vehicle must remain at the scene of an accident. Failure to comply may result in an owner being charged with related code violations. The human driver must possess a valid driver’s license. Proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle. The bill also creates and authorizes a person to operate an on-demand driverless-capable vehicle network to transport goods and people. Automated driving systems will be governed and regulated by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
[4/2: 45-1 (No: Hogg; Excused: Brown, Kinney, Mathis, Zaun)]