HF 424 (LSB 2312YH (2) 86)

HOUSE FILE 424

BY  HALL, STUTSMAN, KRESSIG, OURTH, ANDERSON, OLDSON, HANSON, and MASCHER

A BILL FOR

An Act making text-messaging while driving a primary offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.276, subsection 5, Code 2015, is amended by striking the subsection.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Current law provides that a peace officer shall not stop or detain a person solely for a suspected violation of Code section 321.276, which prohibits text-messaging while driving. Code section 321.276 is enforceable by a peace officer only as a secondary action when the driver of a motor vehicle has been stopped or detained for a suspected violation of another law.
   This bill strikes these provisions and makes a violation of Code section 321.276 a primary offense. The scheduled fine for violating Code section 321.276 is $30.