SF 307 (LSB 2379XS (3) 87)

SENATE FILE 307

BY  SCHNEIDER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to rescue vehicles designated as authorized emergency vehicles, and making a penalty applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.231, subsections 3 and 4, Code 2017, are amended to read as follows:
   3.  The driver of a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, rescue vehicle, or ambulance, or a peace officer riding a police bicycle in the line of duty may do any of the following:
   a.  Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.
   b.  Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property.
   4.  The exemptions granted to an authorized emergency vehicle under subsection 2 and for a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, rescue vehicle, or ambulance as provided in subsection 3 shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signaling device meeting the requirements of section 321.433 or a visual signaling device, except that use of an audible or visual signaling device shall not be required when exercising the exemption granted under subsection 3, paragraph “b” of this section when the vehicle is operated by a peace officer, pursuing a suspected violator of the speed restrictions imposed by or pursuant to this chapter, for the purpose of determining the speed of travel of such suspected violator.
    Sec. 2.  Section 321.451, subsection 2, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  a.  The application for a certificate of designation must include the name of the owner of the vehicle, vehicle identification information, a description of the vehicle’s equipment, and a description of how the vehicle will be used as an authorized emergency vehicle.
   b.  If the vehicle is a rescue vehicle, the application shall be accompanied by a letter of approval from the sheriff or emergency management coordinator of the county of the vehicle owner’s residence. This paragraph “b” shall not apply to a rescue vehicle designated as an authorized emergency vehicle prior to July 1, 2017, or to any other rescue vehicle owned by a person who owns or has owned a rescue vehicle designated as an authorized emergency vehicle prior to July 1, 2017.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, an authorized emergency vehicle that is a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, or ambulance, that is responding to an emergency call, in the pursuit of a perpetrator, operating in response to an incident dangerous to the public, or responding to a fire alarm, may proceed past a red light or stop sign after slowing down as necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle, and may exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property. This bill broadens that provision to include rescue vehicles. Under Code chapter 321, a “rescue vehicle” is a motor vehicle equipped with rescue, fire, or life support equipment used to assist and rescue persons in emergencies or support emergency personnel in the performance of their duties. The penalty for a violation of this provision remains a scheduled fine of $100.
   Under current law, privately owned rescue vehicles and certain other privately owned vehicles may be designated by the department of transportation as authorized emergency vehicles. The bill requires an application for a certificate of designation for a rescue vehicle to be accompanied by a letter of approval from the sheriff or emergency management coordinator of the county of the vehicle owner’s residence. This provision of the bill does not apply to a rescue vehicle designated as an authorized emergency vehicle prior to July 1, 2017, or to any other rescue vehicle owned by a person who owns or has owned a rescue vehicle designated as an authorized emergency vehicle prior to July 1, 2017.