SF 340 – Length of on-duty, rest periods for drivers of rail crew transport vehicles
SF 364 – Vehicle registration fee equity
SF 386 –Department of Transportation omnibus bill
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 340 sets length of on-duty and rest periods for drivers of rail crew transport vehicles that are similar to those for commercial vehicle operators. The bill provides a detailed definition of “on duty” and “uninterrupted rest.” A driver who violates the hours-of-service restrictions commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $50. A violation by a railroad worker transportation company or a railroad corporation is a schedule “one” penalty, subject to a fine of $100 under current law applicable to railroads. [3/19: 46-2 (Chapman, Feenstra “no”; Bolkcom, Dearden excused)]
SF 364 creates greater vehicle registration fee equity. It has two components:
1. It addresses attempts to evade the fee for new registration. Beginning July 1, 2013, if the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Revenue, determines that a nonresident owner of a vehicle is a shell business, it will be presumed that the Iowan using the vehicle is the actual owner and that the vehicle is subject to registration in this state. The Department of Transportation will notify the Iowan of the requirement to obtain a certificate of title and registration for the vehicle and pay the applicable fee for registration within 30 days. A person who willfully attempts to evade payment of the fee for new registration is guilty of fraudulent practice. In addition to any criminal penalty, the person will be assessed a penalty of 75 percent of the amount of the fee unpaid and required to be paid.
2. Electric motor vehicles will be subject to registration fees based on the weight and value of the vehicle. The change applies for registration years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Registration renewals for electric motor vehicles purchased prior to that date and registered to the same owner will continue to pay current fees. [3/18: 46-2 (Feenstra, Sorenson “no”; Chelgren, Sinclair excused)]
SF 386 is the Senate version of the Department of Transportation (DOT) omnibus bill. Highlights include:
• Allowing individuals to add emergency/medical information to their electronic record for their driver’s license or ID and self-manage the information through the “myMVD” portal on the DOT’s website.
• Adding the option of maintaining proof of financial liability coverage electronically in order to provide it to the requesting officer.
• Complying with the federal regulations that require text messaging or using hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial motor vehicle to be an offence for purposes of commercial driver’s license disqualification. The receipt of federal highway funds is conditioned upon compliance.
• Complying with the federal transportation legislation approved in 2012 that requires an ignition interlock device for one year for a repeat OWI offenders. This allows them to get a temporary restricted license after a mandatory revocation period. The receipt of federal highway funds is conditioned upon compliance.
• Allowing fleets to renew the annual register on all their vehicles at the same time. [3/18: 48-0 (Chelgren, Sinclair excused)]