Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while driving, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the Senate Ways and Means (successor To Sf 60) Committee
Topics:Transportation
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 11, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 18, 2023
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 6, 2023
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 22, 202347–3
- Done: House committeeMarch 29, 2023
- Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on April 19, 2024. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
276 prohibits the use of hand-held electronic communication devices to write, send, or view electronic messages while driving a motor vehicle.276 to prohibit any use of an electronic device while driving. The bill defines the terms “electronic device”, “use”, and “voice-activated or hands-free mode”. The bill allows the use of an electronic device if the vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway, or as far away from the center of the roadway as is practicable if the vehicle cannot be entirely removed.
Read the full explanation
The bill provides exceptions for the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode, for members of a public safety agency performing official duties, for health care professionals in the course of emergency situations, for the purpose of receiving safety-related information, for the purpose of reporting an emergency situation, for persons operating an implement of husbandry, for certain radio operators, for members of a public transit system performing official duties while in a vehicle that is not in motion, for utility maintenance employees or contractors for the purpose of providing utility services, for transportation network company drivers engaged in a prearranged ride while the vehicle is not in motion, and for persons using an electronic device for the purpose of accessing or using a fleet management system. Under current law, to be considered an implement of husbandry, a vehicle must be manufactured, designed, or reconstructed for agricultural purposes, exclusively used in the conduct of agricultural operations except for incidental uses, and operated at speeds of miles per hour or less.276 a moving violation.555). However, a peace officer is required to issue a warning memorandum in lieu of a citation for violations that occur during the period between the effective date of the bill and January 1, 2024.276 from $45 to $100.482A, if a person is convicted for a violation and the violation causes a serious injury, a court could impose an additional fine of $500 or suspend the person’s driver’s license for not more than days, or both. If a person is convicted for a violation and the violation causes a death, a court could impose an additional fine of $1,000 or suspend the person’s driver’s license for not more than 180 days, or both.482A.276 as amended by the bill.276 as amended by the bill applicable to such persons.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named March 27, 2023. On March 28, 2023 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 3-0.
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
More revenue: up to $212,000 Compare with other bills
Senate File 547 is estimated to increase State General Fund revenue by $7,000 in FY 2024 and increase revenue by $212,000 per year beginning in FY 2025 compared to estimated FY 2023. Revenue may increase in future years if fewer warnings are given in lieu of tickets.
- Distracted Driving · March 21, 2023
- Distracted Driving · February 23, 2023
Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note
Iowa Code it changes
Amends§321.178§321.180B§321.194§321.210§321.238§321.276§321.482A§321.555§707.6A§805.8A
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
30 for · 0 against · 15 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.
Tried before
90th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.
- HF 2129 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …89th General Assembly · Approved by committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 392 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …89th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 2129 · same titleCleared committee
- SF 2141 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …89th General Assembly · Approved by committee · same titleCleared committee
- SF 330 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …89th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 2141 · same titleCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- HF 827 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …91st General Assembly · WithdrawnNearly identical
- SF 2337 Relating to traffic violations and enforcement, including the use of an electronic device …90th General Assembly · Approved by committeeSimilar
Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.