SENATE FILE 379

BY  HANCOCK

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to service brake requirements for certain trailers used to transport construction materials or equipment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  Section 321.430, subsection 4, Code 2011, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  e.  A trailer with a gross weight exceeding three thousand pounds and equipped with a tow bar and a steering axle, which is used for the transportation of construction materials or equipment, need not be equipped with brakes on the front wheels. 
EXPLANATION
   Current law requires every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to be equipped with service brakes on all wheels. Exceptions are allowed for motorcycles and motorized bicycles, trailers with a gross weight of less than 3,000 pounds, certain trucks and truck tractors equipped with three or more axles, and certain vehicles in a driveaway-towaway operation.
   This bill creates an exception from the brake requirement for certain trailers with a gross weight of more than 3,000 pounds which are used to transport construction materials or equipment. If such a trailer is equipped with a tow bar and a steering axle, the trailer is not required to be equipped with brakes on the front wheels.