House File 150 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY KAUFMANN Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to the regulation of electric scooters by cities 2 and providing a penalty. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 1481YH 82 5 dea/je/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 321.1, Code 2007, is amended by adding 1 2 the following new subsection: 1 3 NEW SUBSECTION. 20C. "Electric scooter" means a tandem 1 4 two=wheeled device that is designed to be stood upon or sat 1 5 upon by the operator, with handlebars for steering control, 1 6 and powered by an electric motor that is capable of propelling 1 7 the device with or without human propulsion. "Electric 1 8 scooter" also means a device powered by an electric motor and 1 9 designed with a single seat for the operator mounted on a 1 10 three=wheeled or four=wheeled platform, with controls on a 1 11 column positioned in front of the seat. "Electric scooter" 1 12 does not include a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, motor 1 13 scooter, or all=terrain vehicle. An electric scooter is not a 1 14 motor vehicle for purposes of this chapter. 1 15 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 321.246 ELECTRIC SCOOTERS == 1 16 OPERATION ON CITY STREETS == PENALTY. 1 17 1. The governing body of a city may allow and regulate the 1 18 operation of electric scooters on city streets by persons 1 19 possessing a valid driver's license. An electric scooter 1 20 operated on a city street shall be equipped with adequate 1 21 brakes and shall meet any other safety requirements imposed by 1 22 the governing body. Electric scooters are not subject to the 1 23 registration provisions of this chapter. 1 24 2. A person convicted of a violation of this section is 1 25 guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled 1 26 violation under section 805.8A, subsection 3, paragraph "f". 1 27 Sec. 3. Section 805.8A, subsection 3, paragraph f, Code 1 28 2007, is amended to read as follows: 1 29 f. For violations under sections 321.234A, 321.246, 1 30 321.247, 321.381, and 321.381A, the scheduled fine is fifty 1 31 dollars. 1 32 EXPLANATION 1 33 This bill authorizes a city to allow and regulate the 1 34 operation of electric scooters on streets within the city. 1 35 The bill provides a definition of "electric scooter" that 2 1 includes a tandem two=wheeled device stood upon or sat upon by 2 2 the operator and controlled by means of handlebars. The 2 3 definition also includes a device with a single seat for the 2 4 operator mounted on a three=wheeled or four=wheeled platform 2 5 and facing a control column. 2 6 The bill specifies that a person operating an electric 2 7 scooter on city streets must be a licensed driver. The 2 8 electric scooter must be equipped with adequate brakes and 2 9 meet any other safety requirements imposed by the city. 2 10 Electric scooters are not subject to vehicle registration with 2 11 the department of transportation. 2 12 The bill provides that a person who violates the electric 2 13 scooter provisions commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by 2 14 a scheduled fine of $50. 2 15 LSB 1481YH 82 2 16 dea:nh/je/5