Requiring employees of the department of transportation to provide a specimen for alcohol and drug analysis following a motor vehicle accident or collision resulting in injury or death, and making penalties applicable

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 30, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 10, 2025
Done: House committeeFebruary 26, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 5, 202685–1
Done: Senate committeeMarch 18, 2026
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became HF 788 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 788 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

Under current law, a person who operates a motor vehicle under circumstances which give reasonable grounds to believe that the person was operating the motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a drug is deemed to have given consent to the withdrawal of a specimen of the person’s blood, breath, or urine and to chemical tests of the specimen for the purpose of determining the alcohol concentration or presence of drugs.2A, and if certain conditions exist, including when the person has been involved in a motor vehicle accident or collision resulting in personal injury or death.

Read the full explanation

This bill requires a person employed by the department of transportation (DOT) to provide a specimen of the person’s urine if the person was involved in an accident or collision that resulted in injury or death while operating a motor vehicle owned by the DOT or other state entity. The person must provide the specimen to a peace officer as soon as practicable after the accident or collision, but within at least two hours. A specimen provided must be analyzed in a manner in accordance with Code chapter 321J (operating while intoxicated) to determine the alcohol concentration or presence of a controlled substance or other drugs. The person may pay for an independent analysis of the provided specimen, but the failure or inability of the person to obtain an independent analysis does not preclude the admission of evidence of the results of the analysis. The person is entitled to be provided the results of the analysis upon request. The bill does not apply if a blood, breath, or urine specimen is taken pursuant to Code chapter 321J. By operation of law, a violation of the bill is a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendments H-8156, H-8155; see Amendments. Full bill text

House subcommittee

Named February 10, 2025. On February 11, 2025 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

Creates§321.270

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

0 for · 1 against · 11 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.

91st General Assembly

HF 162Renumbered HF 788Passed a chamberfrom HF 162

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.