House File 2302 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY R. OLSON Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to enforcement of requirements for illumination 2 of motor vehicle registration plates. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 6008HH 82 5 dea/nh/8 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 321.388, Code 2007, is amended to read 1 2 as follows: 1 3 321.388 ILLUMINATING PLATES. 1 4 Either the rear lamp or a separate lamp shall be so 1 5 constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the 1 6 rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a 1 7 distance of fifty feet to the rear. When the rear 1 8 registration plate is illuminated by an electric lamp other 1 9 than the required rear lamp, the two lamps shall be turned on 1 10 or off only by the same control switch at all times when head 1 11 lamps are lighted. Notwithstanding any other provision of 1 12 law, a peace officer shall not stop a motor vehicle operator 1 13 based solely on an alleged violation of this section. 1 14 EXPLANATION 1 15 This bill prohibits a peace officer from stopping a motor 1 16 vehicle operator for not having a properly illuminated rear 1 17 license plate unless the operator is being stopped for another 1 18 type of violation as well. Current law requires that the rear 1 19 registration plate must be illuminated by a white light that 1 20 renders it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet. The 1 21 penalty for a violation of the lighting requirements is a 1 22 scheduled fine of $10. 1 23 LSB 6008HH 82 1 24 dea/nh/8