Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to motor vehicles that traverse certain railroad grade crossings against a gate or signal, and providing penalties
Topics:Transportation
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 19, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 24, 2023
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 22, 2023
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 360
- Skipped: House committee
- Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 15, 2023
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 360 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 360 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Drivers who ignore railroad crossing signals at quiet zones with median barriers would face a $520 fine. Instead of paying this amount, people can choose to complete an approved driver improvement program at their own expense. To avoid the fine, drivers must notify the court of their plan and provide proof that they finished the program.1
Read the official explanation
341 provides that when a person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and a warning is given by automatic signal, crossing gate, or flag person of the immediate approach of a railroad train or railroad track equipment, the driver is required to stop within feet but not less than feet from the nearest rail and is prohibited from proceeding until the driver can do so safely. In addition, the driver is required to stop the vehicle and not traverse the railroad grade crossing when the crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train or railroad track equipment. A violation of this provision is punishable by a scheduled fine of $260.341 occurs at a railroad grade crossing that has a median barrier and that is established as a quiet zone in accordance with federal regulations, the violation is punishable by a scheduled fine of $520. However, the bill allows the person to attend and successfully complete, at the person’s own expense, a driver improvement program approved by the department of transportation in lieu of the fine. To be eligible, the person must notify the clerk of court prior to the date of the person’s court appearance that the person intends to attend and successfully complete a driver improvement program, and must submit to the clerk of court written verification that the person completed the program, signed by the instructor of the program, within days of the violation. If a person notifies the clerk of court of the person’s intent to complete the program but fails to submit the required verification of completion within days, the person must be assessed the $520 fine.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 24, 2023. On January 31, 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
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
12 for · 0 against · 9 undecided · Who →
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Tried before
Study bill
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- HF 210 Relating to motor vehicles that traverse certain railroad grade crossings against a gate o…89th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 2537 · same titleCleared committee
- SF 2126 Relating to motor vehicles that traverse certain railroad grade crossings against a gate o…89th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2537 Relating to motor vehicles that traverse certain railroad grade crossings against a gate o…89th General Assembly · Passed House · nearly identicalPassed a chamber
- SF 474 Relating to motor vehicles that traverse certain railroad grade crossings against a gate o…88th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 622 · same titleCleared committee
- SF 622 Relating to motor vehicles that traverse certain railroad grade crossings against a gate o…88th General Assembly · Approved by committee · same titleCleared committee
- SF 295 Relating to motor vehicles that traverse certain railroad grade crossings against a gate o…88th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 474 · very similarCleared committee
Matched by wording or an identical title.