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COMMITTEE ACTION:
HF 493 – Low-speed electric bikes
HF 493 defines “low-speed electric bicycle” and establishes three different classes of low-speed electric bicycles and where those bicycles may operate. This is the criteria for each class of low-speed electric bicycle:
- Class 1: Low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases when the bicycle speed reaches 20 miles per hour or more.
- Class 2: Low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used to exclusively propel the bicycle and that is not capable of helping when the bicycle speed reaches 20 miles per hour or more.
- Class 3: Low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used when the rider is pedaling and that ceases when the bicycle speed reaches 28 miles per hour or more.
The bill excludes low-speed electric bicycles from the definition of “vehicle,” thereby excluding them from license and permit requirements. The bill requires that manufacturers or distributors of these bicycles permanently affix a label to low-speed electric bicycles manufactured or distributed after January 1, 2022, stating the class number of the bicycle, the top assisted speed and the motor wattage. The bill limits the ability to modify a low-speed electric bicycle in a way that would disqualify it from the definition stated in the bill, and if modification would move a bicycle from one classification of low-speed electric bicycle to another, the bicycle must be labeled as the new classification. The bill also provides certain manufacturing requirements and prohibits a person 16 or younger from operating a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle. Scheduled violations are punishable by a fine of $25.
[3/31: short form]
HF 524 – Leaving scene of an accident
HF 524 applies the mandatory license revocation provision under Iowa Code section 321.209 to a driver who knows or has reason to believe that their vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in injury or death. It provides that if a driver knows or has reason to believe that their vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in injury or death, they must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene. If the driver leaves the scene and later discovers their vehicle was involved in such an accident, they must make a good-faith effort to immediately contact emergency services.
The bill expands the penalties applicable under Iowa Code section 321.261 to include:
- Any person failing to stop or to comply with the requirements to stop under this section, who causes an accident resulting in a serious injury is guilty of a Class D felony.
- A person failing to stop or to comply with the requirements of this section, who causes an accident resulting in the death is guilty of a Class C felony.
[3/31: short form]
HF 828 – Commercial Driver’s License fees
HF 828 assesses fees for the driving skills testing required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The bill allows the Department of Transportation (DOT) to charge a $25 fee to schedule the pre-trip inspection test. It also allows counties that provide CDL testing to charge $25 for each of the three driving skills tests required for a CDL. These fees are nonrefundable, and fees collected by the DOT are allocated to the Statutory Allocations Fund, while the fees collected from counties are deposited in that county’s general fund. The fees assessed in this bill do not apply to any third party that offers driving skills testing for a CDL. If a person is employed by or volunteers for a government entity, they would only pay for the pre-trip vehicle inspection portion of the test if they take the test at a county facility, and would pay no fees if they test at a DOT facility. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2022.
[3/31: short form]
FLOOR ACTION:
HF 654/SF 331 – Lights on Authorized Emergency Vehicles
HF 654 authorizes the types of lights on emergency vehicles owned by the state or any political subdivision. It authorizes emergency vehicles to be equipped with flashing headlamps, red and blue lights, flashing or solid white lights, split red and blue steady or flashing lights and light bars containing one or more rear-zone amber light or amber directional arrows. Also, an incident command vehicle may be equipped with one or more steady or flashing green lights. Towing or recovery vehicles, unless owned by the state or municipality, are prohibited from having red and blue lights or a siren. Any emergency vehicle purchased on or after July 1, 2021, must be equipped with a master warning switch to activate all emergency lights on the vehicle.
[3/29: 45-0 (Excused: Driscoll, Hogg, Kraayenbrink, Nunn, Sweeney)]
SF 333 – Emergency vehicles
SF 333 is a sweeping bill covering the actions of emergency vehicles. First, it adds emergency medical services and emergency management vehicles as authorized emergency vehicles. It allows the driver of authorized emergency vehicles to drive on the shoulder or median of the highway and to disregard laws governing overtaking or passing other motorists. It allows them to proceed past a red signal or through a red light, but only after slowing to a speed deemed necessary for safe operation by the driver based on information known at the time. It also allows the driver to exceed the speed limit as long as the driver does not recklessly endanger life or property. Any driver who has completed certain training will not be liable for any consequences of injury or loss arising from the operation of an emergency vehicle in response to an emergency call unless the vehicle is operated with reckless disregard. The bill specifies that the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle will not be liable for any injury or loss arising from the operation of the vehicle unless reckless disregard for the safety of people or property is proven by a preponderance of the evidence. If a person brings a tort claim against the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, a municipality or the state for any injury or loss arising from the operation of the authorized emergency vehicle, the bill requires a court to determine on motion by any party or on its own motion, whether the person has presented sufficient, admissible evidence to support prima facie finding of recklessness before the matter proceeds to trial.
[3/29: 31-14 (No: Bolkcom, Boulton, Celsi, Dotzler, Giddens, Jochum, Mathis, Petersen, Quirmbach, Ragan, J. Smith, T. Taylor, Trone Garriott, Wahls; Excused: Driscoll, Hogg, Kraayenbrink, Nunn, Sweeney)]
HF 280/SF 318 – Renewal of CDL online
HF 280/SF 318 is a Department of Transportation (DOT) bill. This bill will allow many commercial drivers to renew their CDL online every other renewal period. During the pandemic, the federal government announced that CDL holders could renew online unless they hold a hazmat endorsement. Current Iowa Code prohibits online renewal for CDLs, and the bill will provide greater flexibility and convenience for those renewing and reduce unnecessary in-person appointments by 28,000. This will free up appointment times for those seeking other DOT services.
[3/29: 45-0 (Excused: Driscoll, Hogg, Kraayenbrink, Nunn, Sweeney)]
HF 382/SF 422 – Weight limits in national emergency
HF 382/SF 422 – Federal law 23 U.S.C. §127(i) authorizes states to issue special permits for overweight vehicles carrying divisible loads of disaster relief supplies on the interstate system during a presidentially declared national emergency that is a major disaster. Iowa Code does not currently authorize the DOT to issue one special permit to apply to multiple vehicles with overweight divisible loads on the interstate when those vehicles are all operating under the same motor carrier’s U.S. DOT number. This bill rectifies that problem.
[3/29: 45-0 (Excused: Driscoll, Hogg, Kraayenbrink, Nunn, Sweeney)]