What changed in SF 551
The bill as introduced, compared with the version both chambers passed (89th General Assembly). 2 adopted amendments account for the changes.
4 passages reworded, 6 added and 0 removed; 8 of 18 unchanged.
Removed AddedIntroduced textText as passedAmendments
Section 1.
NEW SECTION. 321.231A Fire fighters and emergency medical services members responding to emergency situations.
1. The Notwithstanding section 321.231, the driver of a vehicle making use of a blue light pursuant to section 321.423, subsection 3, or displaying fire fighter or emergency medical services registration plates issued pursuant to section 321.34, subsection 10 or 10A, who is a current member of a paid or volunteer fire department or emergency medical services agency, may reasonably exceed the maximum speed limits based on the facts and circumstances at the time when responding to, but not upon returning from, an emergency call or fire alarm, time, only if the driver has received emergency vehicle operations training and is making use all of a blue light pursuant to section 321.423, subsection 3. the following apply:
a. The driver is a current member of a paid or volunteer fire department or emergency medical services agency.
b. The driver is responding to, but not returning from, an emergency call or fire alarm.
c. The driver has received emergency vehicle operations training.
2. The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all other persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of the driver’s reckless disregard for the safety of others.
3. A court shall dismiss and expunge from a driver’s record any excessive speed violation citations issued to a driver under circumstances in which the driver complied with subsection 1, if the driver presents to the court a signed statement from the applicable fire chief or chief officer of an emergency medical services agency providing details about the driver’s operation of the vehicle while responding to an emergency call or fire alarm, which operation resulted in the citation. This subsection does not apply to a driver who holds a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit.
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2. Section 321.423, subsection 3, paragraph a, subparagraph (2), Code 2022, is amended to read as follows:
(2) A vehicle authorized by the chief of the fire department if the vehicle is owned by a member of the fire department, the request for authorization is made by the member on forms provided by the department, and necessity for authorization is demonstrated in the request, and the member has received emergency vehicle operations training.
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2. 3. Section 321.423, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2021, 2022, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
NEW SUBPARAGRAPH.
(03) A vehicle authorized by the chief officer of an emergency medical services agency, if the vehicle is owned by a member of the emergency medical services agency, the request for authorization is made by the member on forms provided by the department, and necessity for authorization to respond to an emergency call or fire alarm under section 321.231A is demonstrated in the request.
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3. 4. Section 321.423, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2021, 2022, is amended to read as follows:
b. A person shall not use only a blue light on a vehicle unless the vehicle meets the requirements of paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1), or (2), or (03).