HF 863 (LSB 1769HV (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 863

BY  COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 95)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the use of blue lights on vessels operating on waters under the jurisdiction of the natural resource commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 462A.12, subsection 4, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   4.  No person shall operate on the waters of this state under the jurisdiction of the commission any vessel displaying or reflecting a blue light or flashing blue light unless such vessel is an authorized emergency vessel.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Current law prohibits vessels from displaying or reflecting solid or flashing blue lights when operating on waters under the natural resource commission’s jurisdiction unless the vessel is an authorized emergency vessel. A person who violates this prohibition is subject to a scheduled fine of $35. This bill removes the prohibition on displaying or reflecting solid blue lights while operating a vessel in waters under the commission’s jurisdiction. The display or reflection of flashing blue lights is still prohibited.