SF 2153 – Extending the Commercial Industrial Network
SF 2216 – Staggered registration of commercial motor vehicles under International Registration Plan
SF 2249 – Allows dealers to offer motor vehicles for sale at fairs, vehicle shows & exhibitions
SF 2288 – Requirements for drivers at railroad crossing with railroad track equipment
HF 2228 – Control and speed of vehicle in work zones
HF 2428 – Creates a new permit for commercial trucks of certain length
SF 2153 would extend the Commercial Industrial Network (CIN), the road system of primary highways that connect the state’s regional growth areas, provide long distance route continuity and carry a significant amount of the state’s commercial traffic. The CIN does not include the interstate system. The network was limited to 2,500 miles, including municipal extensions of the designated highways. Establishing a cap was important at the time the network was established to create legislative intent and define what constitutes a high volume of total traffic. The 2,500-mile limit served the state for approximately 20 years, and in that time, the network has become fairly well established. In order to accommodate some roadways that may still be eligible for the network, this bill raises the limit to 2,600 miles, including municipal extensions. [2/26: 48-2 (Feenstra, Sorenson “no”)]
SF 2216 is a Department of Transportation (DOT) bill that addresses the registration of commercial motor vehicles that operate in interstate trucking and are subject to the International Registration Plan (IRP). IRP is an agreement providing registration reciprocity among all 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and various Canadian provinces. The IRP agreement provides for the payment of registration fees on the basis of fleet distance operated in the various jurisdictions. Even though fees are paid to multiple jurisdictions through the “base jurisdiction,” only one license plate and registration cab card (known as “credentials”) is required for each vehicle. IRP is intended to facilitate free and efficient movement of commerce among states.
The bill makes these changes to simplify the registration and titling process, enhance law enforcement and allow the DOT to balance its workload:
** Updates Iowa Code chapter 326 (Registration Reciprocity) to conform to the IRP, which is the governing document for registration reciprocity.
** Implements a “staggered registration” system for IRP vehicles so that the registrations and renewals are spread evenly throughout the year.
** Allows “county truck” registration to be staggered based on the owner’s birth month. “County trucks” are registered in accordance with chapter 321.
** Eliminates the half-year payment option for truck registration and makes conforming changes.
** Allows trailers registered under the IRP to continue to have an annual and five-year payment option, and eliminates the three-year trailer registration option. Permanent plates are available in both the annual or five-year options.
** Eliminates the grace period for IRP truck registration renewal. Notices will be sent to a customer 60 days prior to the renewal month, and a customer will have until the last day of the renewal month to renew a vehicle registration.
** Makes various process changes to the cab card and decals used for credentials for IRP registered trucks. [4/3: 48-0 (Bertrand, Horn excused]
SF 2249 allows used motorcycles to be offered for sale at motorcycle rallies, provided the sponsor of the rally holds no more than one rally per year in Iowa, the rally is conducted for three to seven days, and attendance at the rally is restricted to those paying a nonrefundable admission fee.
A motor vehicle dealer from another state may also offer used motorcycles for sale at motorcycle rallies in Iowa if the dealer presents to the Department of Transportation (DOT) a current license valid for the sale of used motorcycles at retail in the person’s state of residence, and provided the dealer’s home state extends similar privileges to a dealer licensed in Iowa. A dealer from another state must furnish a surety bond that meets current requirements for motor vehicle dealer licensing.
The DOT may issue a temporary permit allowing a motor vehicle dealer to participate in an event that is in the dealer’s “community,” meaning the business area that the dealer is responsible for. A motor vehicle dealer may not be issued more than one such permit in a calendar year. All sales must be finalized at the motor vehicle dealer’s principal place of business.
The bill also amends the definition of “travel trailer” to exclude vehicles designed to be towed exclusively by a motorcycle. [3/26: 50-0]
SF 2288 states that in any situation where a driver is required to stop or proceed with caution when given warning of an approaching railroad train or is required to stop or be alert for an approaching railroad train, the requirement also applies to railroad track equipment. A person convicted of a railroad crossing violation commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $200. [3/5: 49-0 (Behn excused)]
HF 2228 clarifies the Iowa Code in three ways:
1. By stating separately the requirement that a vehicle must be under control at all times and the requirement that a vehicle must reduce speed to a reasonable and proper rate under specified circumstances.
2. By striking from Code section 321.288 the requirement to reduce speed to a reasonable and proper rate when approaching and traversing a bridge. The topic is addressed with more specificity in Code section 321.295.
3. By revising the requirement to reduce speed to a reasonable and proper rate when approaching and passing through a road work zone to conform to the definition of “road work zone” contained in chapter 321. A violation remains a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a scheduled fine of $100.
The bill also updates Iowa’s Move Over/Slow Down law. A violation is still a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $100, but the bill establishes a new penalty for violations causing damage to property and strengthens the penalties for violations causing injury or death of another person. If the violation causes damage to the property of another person, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will suspend the person’s driver’s license or operating privileges for 90 days. If the violation causes bodily injury to another person, DOT will suspend the person’s driver’s license or operating privileges for 180 days, and a court could impose an additional fine of $500. If the violation causes death, the DOT will suspend the person’s driver’s license or operating privileges for one year, and a court could impose an additional fine of $1,000. The suspensions and fines are in addition to any other penalties applicable under law. The DOT and Department of Public Safety will establish educational programs to promote public awareness of these new requirements. [3/21: 50-0]
HF 2428 creates a new permit for certain commercial trucks. The Department of Transportation is authorized to adopt rules providing for economic export corridors for the transportation of goods or products manufactured in Iowa to or through the state of South Dakota and for the return of unladen semitrailers or unladen full trailers used for the transportation of those goods or products. The rules may authorize the operation of combinations of vehicles on an economic export corridor. [3/26: 50-0]