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
Topics:Transportation
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 12, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 19, 2023
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2024 session adjourned on April 19, 2024, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Drivers in Iowa would be prohibited from using any electronic device while operating a vehicle, rather than just for sending messages. While hands-free or voice-activated modes are still allowed, certain exceptions exist for emergency workers and safety situations. Violating this law is considered a moving violation and can lead to higher fines or license suspensions if an accident causes injury or death.1
Read the official explanation
F.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” 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. 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 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.276 remains $45.276 a moving violation. Under current law, a moving violation can be considered for purposes of administrative suspension of a driver’s license or to establish habitual offender status. 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. 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.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 19, 2023. It hasn’t reported yet.
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
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
Lobbying
6 for · 0 against · 9 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Tried before
90th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
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 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
- 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 · nearly identicalCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- HF 64 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …90th General Assembly · In committeeNearly identical
- HF 827 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …91st General Assembly · WithdrawnVery similar
Matched by wording or an identical title.