HSB 86 (LSB 1485YC (2) 90)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION BILL BY CHAIRPERSON BEST)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the driving privileges of persons holding a special minor’s driver’s license, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.194, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2023, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
   NEW SUBPARAGRAPH.  (04)  (a)  A licensee carrying proof of authorization as provided in subparagraph division (b) may operate a motor vehicle during the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee’s residence and the residence of any grandparent of the licensee, provided the driving distance between the licensee’s residence and the destination is no more than fifty miles.
   (b)  The school board, superintendent, or principal of the licensee’s school may authorize the licensee to operate a motor vehicle pursuant to this subparagraph. If such authorization is granted, the school board, superintendent, or principal, as applicable, shall provide the licensee proof of authorization on a form prescribed by the department.
    Sec. 2.  Section 321.194, subsection 2, paragraph a, subparagraph (4), Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   (4)  To a service station for the purpose of refueling, so long as the service station is the station closest to the route on which the licensee is traveling under subparagraph (1), (2), or (3) this paragraph.
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, a person issued a special minor’s driver’s license is generally allowed to operate a motor vehicle during the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. between, among other locations, the licensee’s residence, school of enrollment, bus stops, certain other sites, facilities, or schools for certain extracurricular activities, locations for farm work, and fuel stations.
   This bill authorizes a licensee to operate a motor vehicle during the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee’s residence and the residence of any grandparent of the licensee, provided the licensee is authorized to do so by the licensee’s school board, superintendent, or principal, the licensee carries proof of such authorization in the vehicle, and the driving distance between the licensee’s residence and the destination is no more than 50 miles.
   If the school board, superintendent, or principal authorizes the licensee in accordance with the bill, the school board, superintendent, or principal, as applicable, is required to provide the licensee with proof of authorization on a form prescribed by the department of transportation.
   A violation of Code section 321.194 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $70.