SF 224 – Duplicate driver’s license
SF 348 – Extending the period of validity of driver’s licenses and ID cards
SF 349 – Extending the deadline for obtaining a vehicle registration fee credit
SF 355 – Regulation and fees for vehicles of excessive size and weight
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 224 changes the fee for replacement of a driver’s license or ID card. Currently, under Code section 321.195, the fee for replacement of a driver’s license or ID card that was lost or destroyed is $3, and the fee for voluntary replacement (to reflect a name change, for example) is $1. The bill establishes a single replacement fee of $10, which is the actual cost of replacement. In addition, the bill allows honorably discharged veterans to have their veteran status noted on their driver’s licenses or ID when obtaining a duplicate, rather than waiting until their license comes up for renewal. [3/12: 37-11 (Anderson, Bertrand, Chapman, Chelgren, Dix, Guth, Sinclair, Smith, Sorenson, Whitver, Zaun “no”; Courtney, Ernst excused)]
SF 348 extends the period of validity of driver’s licenses and ID cards from five years to eight years, with a corresponding fee increase from $5 to $8. The current provision that provides for issuance of a non-expiring ID card to those 70 or over is stricken to comply with federal REAL ID requirements. If a driver is between 18 and 72, their license is good for up to eight years, not to exceed the driver’s 74th birthday. For those below age 18 and age 72 or older, a license is good for two years. The fee for a driver’s license will be based on the number of years it is valid. In addition, anyone who surrenders their license due to an inability to drive will receive an ID card at no charge. The Department of Transportation may adopt emergency rules to implement provisions of the bill, which takes effect upon enactment. [3/13: 49-0 (Courtney excused)]
SF 349 – When a person transfers ownership of a vehicle, they are entitled to a credit of the unexpired portion of the annual registration fee. As amended in committee, this bill extends to six months the deadline for obtaining a vehicle registration fee credit when a vehicle is sold, transferred or junked. In addition, when a motor vehicle is purchased by the lessee upon termination of a lease, the lessee has six months to transfer the registration fee credit and the registration plates. [3/13: 49-0 (Courtney excused)]
SF 355 reorganizes Iowa Code chapter 321E (vehicles of excessive size and weight) and updates various provisions in the chapter. Highlights of the legislation include:
• Updating all language for clarification and removing outdated language.
• Making changes to support electronic permitting.
• Combining all permit fees into the same section, Code section 321E.14.
• Moving Code provisions related to garbage trucks from Code chapter 321 to chapter 321E.
• Raising the continuous movement maximum height requirement to coordinate with Midwest states.
• Amending Code section 321E.16 to include violations by escort operators. This violation is established as a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $200. [3/13: 49-0 (Courtney excused)]