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Bill > HF129
IA HF129
IA HF129A bill for an act relating to the minimum amounts required for motor vehicle financial responsibility, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 2352.)
summary
Introduced
01/27/2025
01/27/2025
In Committee
01/27/2025
01/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill increases the minimum amounts of coverage required under Code chapter 321A for motor vehicle financial responsibility for bodily injury or death of one person ($20,000 to $50,000), bodily injury or death of two or more persons ($40,000 to $100,000), and property damage ($15,000 to $50,000). The bill makes corresponding changes to provisions regarding associated policies, bonds, and judgments. The bill also increases the minimum amount of coverage required for property damage for evidence of financial responsibility under Code chapter 321F (leasing and renting of vehicles) ($10,000 to $50,000) and for drivers while not engaged in a prearranged ride under Code chapter 321N (transportation network companies) ($25,000 to $50,000). Under current law, the minimum amount of coverage required under those circumstances is already $50,000 and $100,000 for bodily injury or death of one person and two or more persons, respectively. A person who violates a provision of Code chapter 321A which does not otherwise provide a penalty commits a serious misdemeanor, punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. In addition, Code section 321.20B prohibits a person, including a transportation network company driver, from driving a motor vehicle unless financial liability coverage is in effect for the vehicle and the person carries proof of such coverage. By operation of law, the associated coverage amounts are increased by the bill. A person who violates Code section 321.20B commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $325 scheduled fine. If a violation is discovered in connection with a motor vehicle accident, the fine increases to $645. The person is also subject to possible removal of the vehicle’s registration plates and registration receipt, and impoundment of the vehicle. A person who violates a provision of Code chapter 321F is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than 30 days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855.
AI Summary
This bill increases the minimum amounts of motor vehicle financial responsibility and insurance coverage across several sections of Iowa Code. Specifically, the bill raises the minimum coverage for bodily injury or death from $20,000 to $50,000 for one person and from $40,000 to $100,000 for two or more persons, and increases property damage coverage from $15,000 to $50,000. These changes apply to various contexts, including standard motor vehicle insurance policies, leased vehicles, and transportation network company (TNC) drivers when they are logged into a digital network but not engaged in a prearranged ride. The bill also updates corresponding sections of the law to reflect these new minimum coverage amounts, ensuring that insurance policies, bonds, and judgments align with the updated financial responsibility requirements. While most of the changes involve increasing coverage limits, they maintain the existing structure of liability protection for motor vehicle accidents, with the goal of providing more comprehensive financial protection for individuals involved in motor vehicle incidents. The bill does not fundamentally alter the underlying insurance requirements but serves to adjust the monetary thresholds to potentially better reflect current economic conditions and potential accident-related costs.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2352. (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF129 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF129.html |
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