Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to motor vehicle window tint, and making penalties applicable
Topics:Transportation
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 21, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 22, 2023
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 2, 2023
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 491
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 491 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 491 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Drivers would no longer be subject to Department of Transportation rules about window darkness, but they must still follow specific limits on how much light can pass through their windshields and side windows. These new rules set exact percentages for how clear windows must be and how much they can reflect light. If a driver breaks these rules, they can be charged a $70 fine.1
Read the official explanation
Under current law, a person is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle equipped with a front windshield, a side window to the immediate right or left of the driver, or a sidewing forward of and to the left or right of the driver (window) which is excessively dark or reflective so that it is difficult for a person outside the motor vehicle to see into the motor vehicle through the window.7), “excessively dark or reflective” means the window does not meet a minimum standard of transparency of percent light transmittance. However, the requirement does not apply to a person who operates a motor vehicle owned or leased by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency if the operation is part of the person’s official duties. This bill strikes the authority of the DOT to adopt rules establishing a minimum measurable standard of transparency and instead prohibits a person from operating on the highway a motor vehicle equipped with a front windshield to which light-transmission-reducing material has been applied. However, a windshield may have light-transmission-reducing material applied that allows at least percent light transmittance and does not exceed a luminous reflectance of percent above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or within the top five inches of the windshield. A person is also prohibited from operating a motor vehicle with a side window to the immediate right or left of the operator, or a sidewing forward of and to the left or right of the operator, that allows less than percent light transmittance or exceeds a luminous reflectance of percent. Under the bill, a person is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle equipped with any other window that allows less than percent light transmittance or exceeds a luminous reflectance of percent.437.438 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $70.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 22, 2023. On February 27, 2023 it recommended passage. [].
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill prohibits vehicle window tinting that allows less than 35.0% light transmittance and removes the Department of Transportation's authority to set transparency standards. The fiscal impact of this bill cannot be determined, but a decrease in convictions could reduce revenue for the state's General Fund, other state funds, and local jurisdictions.3
Read the fiscal note
Description
Senate File 2267 prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with window tinting on a front windshield, front side windows, or forward sidewing that allows a minimum standard of transparency of less than 35.0% light transmittance. The Bill also removes the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) rulemaking authority to establish a minimum standard transparency for window tint.
Background
Iowa Code section 321.438(2) currently does not allow a front windshield, side window, or sidewing of a vehicle to be excessively dark or reflective and requires the DOT to establish rules to set a minimum measurable standard of transparency for this provision. The DOT adopted administrative rule 761 IAC 450.7, which established 70.0% light transmittance as the lowest level acceptable for vehicles.
In FY 2023, there were 10,065 violations of Iowa Code section 321.438(2). The current scheduled fine for a violation of Iowa Code section 321.438(2) is $70. Under Iowa Code section 602.8106(4)(b), scheduled fine revenue for a State law violation is distributed as follows: 91.0% to the State and 9.0% to the general fund of the county in which the violation occurred. For the State share of citations, 1.3% is distributed to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fund and 98.7% is distributed to the State General Fund. In addition to the scheduled fine, a Crime Services Surcharge, equal to 15.0% of the fine, and a $55 fee for court costs are also imposed. The Crime Services Surcharge is remitted to the State Court Administrator and is distributed as follows: 46.0% to the Juvenile Detention Home Fund; 32.0% to the Victim Compensation Fund; 20.0% to the Criminalistics Laboratory Fund; and 2.0% to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Fund. The fee assessed for court costs is deposited into the State General Fund.
Assumptions
- The number of convictions for an excessively dark window or windshield may decrease under SF 2267.
- For estimation purposes, it is assumed that the number of current convictions may decrease by 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 per year.
- The collection rate for scheduled violations is estimated at 59.2%.
- Commercial motor vehicles are not included in the estimated impact.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact of SF 2267 cannot be determined. However, any reduction in convictions under Iowa Code section 321.438(2) may reduce revenue to the General Fund and may also reduce annual fine and surcharge revenue allocated by the law to other funds and local jurisdictions. Figure 1 shows the distribution of the estimated annual revenue reduction based on conviction decreases of 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000.
Figure 1 — Estimated Range of Annual Fiscal Impact Under SF 2267
Sources
- Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning, Department of Management
- Legislative Services Agency calculations
- Motor Vehicle Window Tint · February 26, 2024
- Motor Vehicle Window Tint · March 14, 2023
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90th General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Similar bills
- HF 206 Relating to motor vehicle window tint, and making penalties applicable91st General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 766Nearly identical
- SSB 1019 Relating to motor vehicle window tint, and making penalties applicable91st General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passageNearly identical
- HF 2037 Relating to motor vehicle window tint, and making penalties applicable90th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passageNearly identical
- HF 2024 Relating to motor vehicle window tint, and making penalties applicable91st General Assembly · In committeeVery similar
Matched by wording or an identical title.