HF 355 (LSB 1288HV (1) 85)

HOUSE FILE 355

BY  COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 56)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the renewal of driver’s licenses electronically and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.196, subsection 4, Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   4.  The department in its discretion may authorize the renewal of a valid driver’s license other than a commercial driver’s license upon application without an examination provided that the applicant
 
meets one of the following conditions:
   a.  The applicant
 
satisfactorily passes a vision test as prescribed by the department or.
   b.  The applicant
 
files a vision report in accordance with section 321.186A which shows that the applicant’s visual acuity level meets or exceeds those required by the department.
   c.  The applicant is eligible for license renewal electronically, pursuant to rules adopted by the department.

4A.  An application for renewal of a driver’s license shall include a statement for the applicant to sign that acknowledges the applicant’s knowledge of the requirement to notify the department of a mailing address change under section 321.182, subsection 1.
    Sec. 2.  EMERGENCY RULES.  The department of transportation may adopt emergency rules under section 17A.4, subsection 3, and section 17A.5, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, to implement section 321.196, subsection 4, paragraph “c”, as enacted in this Act, and the rules shall be effective immediately upon filing unless a later date is specified in the rules. Any rules adopted in accordance with this section shall also be published as a notice of intended action as provided in section 17A.4.
    Sec. 3.  EFFECTIVE UPON ENACTMENT.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
   Under current law, an applicant for renewal of a driver’s license must either pass a vision test or file a vision report that meets requirements of the department of transportation. This bill provides that when the department renews a driver’s license electronically, it may do so without requiring the licensee to pass a vision test or file a vision report, pursuant to rules of the department. The bill authorizes the adoption of emergency rules to implement this provision. The bill is effective upon enactment.