HSB 92 (LSB 1727DP (2) 85)

SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BILL)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the period of validity of driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards, and including effective date and applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.190, subsection 1, paragraph d, Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   d.  The fee for a nonoperator’s identification card shall be five
 
eight dollars and the card shall be valid for a period of five
 
eight years from the date of issuance. A nonoperator’s identification card shall be issued without expiration to anyone age seventy or over. If an applicant for a nonoperator’s identification card is a foreign national who is temporarily present in this state, the nonoperator’s identification card shall be issued only for the length of time the foreign national is authorized to be present as determined by the department, not to exceed two years. An issuance fee shall not be charged for a person whose driver’s license or driving privilege has been suspended under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3).
    Sec. 2.  Section 321.196, subsection 1, Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Except as otherwise provided, a driver’s license, other than an instruction permit, chauffeur’s instruction permit, or commercial driver’s instruction permit issued under section 321.180, expires five
 
eight years from the licensee’s birthday anniversary occurring in the year of issuance if the licensee is between the ages of seventeen years eleven months and seventy years on the date of issuance of the license. If the licensee is under the age of seventeen years eleven months or age seventy or over, the license is effective for a period of two years from the licensee’s birthday anniversary occurring in the year of issuance. A licensee whose license is restricted due to vision or other physical deficiencies may be required to renew the license every two years. If a licensee is a foreign national who is temporarily present in this state, the license shall be issued only for the length of time the foreign national is authorized to be present as verified by the department, not to exceed two years.
    Sec. 3.  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 321.190, subsection 1, paragraph “d”, as amended in this Act, and section 321.196, subsection 1, as amended 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. The rules established under this authority may provide for a transition from five-year to eight-year renewal periods for driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards. During the transition, the department may issue driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards valid for periods of five, six, seven, or eight years to equalize renewal periods and applicants over succeeding years.
    Sec. 4.  EFFECTIVE UPON ENACTMENT.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
   This bill concerns the period of validity of driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards issued by the department of transportation.
   The bill amends Code section 321.190 to extend the validity of nonoperator’s identification cards from five years to eight years, with a corresponding fee increase from $5 to $8. In addition, the current provision that provides for issuance of a nonexpiring nonoperator’s identification card to a person age 70 or over is stricken. Code section 321.196 is amended to extend the validity of a driver’s license from five years to eight years for licenses issued to persons between the ages of 17 years, 11 months, and 70 years. Pursuant to current law, the fee for a driver’s license is based on the years of validity; that does not change under the bill. The department is authorized to adopt emergency rules to implement the driver’s license and nonoperator’s identification card renewal provisions, and to provide for a transition from five-year to eight-year renewal periods.
   The bill takes effect upon enactment.