House File 634 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY D. OLSON Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to licensing requirements for drivers of vans 2 used to transport railroad workers. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 2979YH 81 5 dea/sh/8 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 327F.39, subsection 1, Code 2005, is 1 2 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 1 3 NEW PARAGRAPH. ff. "Van" means a motor vehicle, as 1 4 defined in section 321.1, having a seating capacity of not 1 5 less than eight passengers and not more than fifteen 1 6 passengers, including the driver. 1 7 Sec. 2. Section 327F.39, subsection 5, Code 2005, is 1 8 amended to read as follows: 1 9 5. RULE VIOLATIONS. When the administrator finds that a 1 10 motor vehicle used to transport workers to and from their 1 11 places of employment or during the course of their employment 1 12 violates a rule adopted under this section, the administrator 1 13 shall make, enter, and serve upon the owner of the motor 1 14 vehicle an order as necessary to protect the safety of workers 1 15 transported in the motor vehicle. The administrator may 1 16 direct in the order, as a condition to the continued use of 1 17 the motor vehicle for transporting workers to and from their 1 18 places of employment or during the course of their employment, 1 19 that additions, repairs, improvements, or changes be made and 1 20 that safety devices and safeguards be furnished and used as 1 21 required to satisfy the rules in the manner and within the 1 22 time specified in the order. The order may also require that 1 23 any driver of the motor vehicle satisfy the licensing 1 24 requirement for a driver under subsection 5A, if applicable, 1 25 and minimum standards for a driver under the rules. 1 26 Sec. 3. Section 327F.39, Code 2005, is amended by adding 1 27 the following new subsection: 1 28 NEW SUBSECTION. 5A. OPERATION OF VANS. Notwithstanding 1 29 the requirements for commercial driver licensing under chapter 1 30 321, a person shall not operate a van used to transport 1 31 railroad workers to and from their places of employment or 1 32 during the course of their employment unless the person holds 1 33 a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement, as 1 34 provided by the department by rule. 1 35 EXPLANATION 2 1 This bill requires that a person who operates a van 2 2 transporting railroad workers during the course of their 2 3 employment must hold a commercial driver's license with a 2 4 passenger endorsement. The bill defines "van" to mean a motor 2 5 vehicle designed to hold eight to 15 passengers, including the 2 6 driver. This licensing requirement for railroad drivers is an 2 7 exception to current law, which requires a commercial driver's 2 8 license for operators of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight 2 9 rating of 10,001 pounds or more and designed to transport 16 2 10 or more passengers, including the driver. 2 11 LSB 2979YH 81 2 12 dea:nh/sh/8