Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the penalty for a second or subsequent violation of motor vehicle financial liability coverage requirements
Topics:Courts & civil lawPublic safety & emergenciesTransportation
Same legislation: HF 918
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: House committeeMarch 5, 2025
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 25, 202591–6
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 918 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 918 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
Under current law, a person driving a motor vehicle on a highway is required to have financial liability coverage in effect for the motor vehicle and have the proof of financial liability coverage card issued for the motor vehicle in the motor vehicle, unless specifically excepted. For a violation of these provisions, a peace officer is required to issue a warning memorandum; issue a citation; issue a citation and remove the motor vehicle’s license plates and registration receipt; or issue a citation, remove the motor vehicle’s license plates and registration receipt, and impound the motor vehicle, when the officer stops a driver whose vehicle is registered in Iowa.
Read the full explanation
If the vehicle is not registered in Iowa and the driver is a nonresident, the peace officer must issue a warning memorandum or a citation. A person who does not have financial liability coverage in effect for the vehicle or who does not carry proof of such coverage in the vehicle commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation. If in connection with a motor vehicle accident, the scheduled fine is $645; otherwise, the scheduled fine is $325. A fine collected must be submitted to the state court administrator and distributed percent to the victim compensation fund, percent to the county in which such fine is imposed, and percent to the general fund of the state.20B(1) within five years a class “D” felony. _____ For the penalty enhancement, the bill does not distinguish between vehicles registered in Iowa, or not, or drivers who are residents of Iowa, or not. A peace officer is required to arrest the driver if the driver cannot provide proof of financial liability coverage and was previously convicted for the same violation within five years. A peace officer may remove the motor vehicle’s registration plates and registration receipt, or impound the motor vehicle, in which case associated procedures under current law apply. In accordance with current law, a person cited for a violation, including a person arrested for a second or subsequent violation under the bill, may provide proof that financial liability coverage was in effect at the time the person was stopped and the court must dismiss the citation or charge and assess costs to the person. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.8108. Financial liability coverage is generally required to be in effect for every motor vehicle driven on Iowa highways.18); a lienholder with a security interest in a motor vehicle that does not drive or move the vehicle; and motor vehicles owned by a motor vehicle dealer or wholesaler licensed pursuant to Code chapter 322.20B.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendments H-1166, H-1154; see Amendments. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named February 13, 2025. On February 20, 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
Fiscal note
0 million per year beginning in FY 2026. Of this amount, the impact to the General Fund is approximately $235,000. The revenues will be distributed as displayed in Figure 2 and Figure 3. Additionally, the Bill will have a one-time IT cost of $440,000 for the DOT’s ARTS System.
- Driving Without Insurance, Criminal Penalty · April 30, 2025
- Driving Without Insurance, Criminal Penalty · March 24, 2025
Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note
Iowa Code it changes
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
1 for · 0 against · 6 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.
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91st General Assembly
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