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
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 827
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 827 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 827 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Drivers in Iowa would be prohibited from using any electronic device while driving, rather than just those used for messaging. While hands-free or voice-activated modes are allowed, using a device while moving could result in a $100 fine. Certain people, such as emergency responders and utility workers, are exempt from these rules under specific circumstances.1
Read the official explanation
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. 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.
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
2 written public comments to its subcommittee: January 28, 2025 (1), January 22, 2025 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
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
34 for · 1 against · 8 undecided · Who →
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Tried before
Study bill
91st General Assembly
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.
- 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
- 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 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 · very similarCleared committee
- HSB 668 HSB 66890th General Assembly · In 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 · very similarCleared committee
Matched by wording or an identical title.