HOUSE FILE 2027

BY  ALONS

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to window transparency requirements for antique motor vehicles used for limited purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.438, subsection 2, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   2.
  a.  A
 
Except as provided in paragraph “b”, a person shall not operate on the highway a motor vehicle equipped with a front windshield, a side window to the immediate right or left of the driver, or a side-wing
 
sidewing forward of and to the left or right of the driver which is excessively dark or reflective so that it is difficult for a person outside the motor vehicle to see into the motor vehicle through the windshield, window, or sidewing. The department shall adopt rules establishing a minimum measurable standard of transparency which shall apply to violations of this subsection.
   b.  Upon application by the owner of the motor vehicle, and subject to the approval of the department, the requirements of paragraph “a” shall not apply for a motor vehicle registered as an antique vehicle and used exclusively for exhibition or educational purposes at state or county fairs, in local parades, or at other places where the motor vehicle may be exhibited for entertainment or educational purposes. An exemption granted pursuant to this paragraph shall permit driving of the vehicle upon the public roads to and from state and county fairs, local parades, or other places of entertainment or education for exhibition or educational purposes and to and from service stations for the purpose of receiving necessary maintenance.
EXPLANATION
   Current law prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle whose front windshield, front side windows, or front sidewings to the left or right of the driver are excessively dark or reflective so that it is difficult for a person to see into the motor vehicle. The department of transportation has established by rule a minimum standard of transparency of 70 percent light transmittance.
   This bill allows the department to exempt certain antique motor vehicles used exclusively for exhibition or educational purposes from the window transparency requirements. The bill requires the owner of an antique motor vehicle to submit an application for an exemption, which is subject to the approval of the department. The exemption would apply for antique motor vehicles exhibited at state or county fairs, in local parades, or at other places for entertainment or educational purposes. The exemption would also apply when the vehicle is being driven to and from those places and events, and to and from service stations.