SSB 1135 (LSB 1577XC (2) 90)

SENATE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION BILL BY CHAIRPERSON KLIMESH)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the display of a special registration sticker on certain motor vehicles in lieu of a front registration plate, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.37, subsection 1, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than an autocycle, motorcycle, motorized bicycle, or truck tractor shall be attached to the motor vehicle, one in the front and the other in the rear.  However, subject to the conditions set forth in section 321.37A, a person may display a special registration sticker on the motor vehicle in lieu of attaching a front registration plate. The registration plate issued for an autocycle, motorcycle, or other vehicle required to be registered hereunder under this chapter shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle. The registration plate issued for a truck tractor shall be attached to the front of the truck tractor. The special plate issued to a dealer shall be attached on the rear of the vehicle when operated on the highways of this state.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  321.37A  Special registration sticker.
   1.  Upon application and payment of a fee of fifty dollars, the department shall issue a special registration sticker to the owner of a motor vehicle other than an autocycle, motorcycle, motorized bicycle, truck tractor, or motor vehicle operating under a special plate issued to a dealer. The special registration sticker may be displayed on the driver’s side of the motor vehicle’s windshield. A special registration sticker so displayed must not be placed so as to interfere with the driver’s view of the highway. If the special registration sticker is displayed in accordance with this section, the motor vehicle may be operated without the front registration plate attached, provided that the front registration plate is carried in the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is operated on a public highway and is available to any peace officer for inspection upon the officer’s request.
   2.  A special registration sticker issued for a motor vehicle is valid for one year and shall be issued at the same time and expire at the same time as the vehicle registration plates or validation sticker issued pursuant to section 321.34.
   3.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A providing for the design of the special registration sticker.
   4.  The fees collected by the department under this section shall be remitted to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill authorizes the department of transportation (DOT) to issue a motor vehicle special registration sticker that may be displayed on the driver’s side of the windshield of certain motor vehicles. If the special registration sticker is so displayed, the motor vehicle may be operated without the front registration plate attached. The front registration plate must be carried in the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is operated on a public highway and must be available to any peace officer for inspection upon the officer’s request. Requirements for the display of a rear registration plate and annual validation sticker are not altered by the bill.
   The fee for a special registration sticker is $50. The fees collected by the DOT for special registration stickers must be remitted to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. Under the bill, a special registration sticker issued for a motor vehicle is valid for one year and must be issued at the same time as the vehicle registration plates or validation sticker, as applicable.
   By operation of law, a violation of the provisions of the bill is punishable by a scheduled fine of $30.