Bills › 91st 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 14, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 22, 2025
- Done: House committeeFebruary 12, 2025
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 26, 202584–11
- Skipped: Senate committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 18, 202547–1
- Done: To the GovernorMarch 31, 2025
- Done: Signed into lawApril 2, 2025
Became HF 827 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 827 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. _____ 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, 2026.276 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 · What changed before it passed
House subcommittee
Named January 22, 2025. On January 28, 2025 it recommended passage.
- Rep. Ann Meyer REmail
- Rep. Sean Bagniewski DEmail
- Rep. Mary Lee Madison DEmail
- Rep. Brent Siegrist REmail
- Rep. David E. Young REmail
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
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
34 for · 1 against · 8 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
Study bill
91st General Assembly
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 2 earlier General Assemblies. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- HF 64 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …90th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- SF 207 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …90th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 547 · same titleCleared committee
- SF 547 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …90th General Assembly · Passed Senate · same titlePassed a chamber
- SF 60 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …90th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 207 · same titleCleared committee
- SF 71 Relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while …90th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- SF 2337 Relating to traffic violations and enforcement, including the use of an electronic device …90th General Assembly · Approved by committee · similarCleared committee
- 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
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.