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Bill > HF528
IA HF528
IA HF528A bill for an act relating to reckless driving and excessive speed, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HF 231.)
summary
Introduced
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
Under current law, driving in excess of the speed limit is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine based on the excessive speed, ranging from $30 to $135 plus $5 for each mile per hour (MPH) of excessive speed over 20 MPH over the limit, with increased fines for violations in road work zones. Also under current law, a person who drives a vehicle in such manner as to indicate either a willful or a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving, in violation of Code section 321.277. A person convicted for “reckless driving” commits 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. This bill provides that exceeding the speed limit by 25 MPH or more is reckless driving. By operation of law, a person who drives recklessly in violation of Code section 321.277, as amended by the bill, commits a class “C” felony if the violation unintentionally causes the death of another, and commits a class “D” felony if the violation unintentionally causes a serious injury (see Code section 707.6A —— homicide or serious injury by vehicle). Under current law, Code section 707.6A also applies if a person, other than a member of a public safety agency, exceeds the posted speed limit by 25 MPH or more and unintentionally causes death or serious injury, if the speeding violation is the proximate cause of the death or injury. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Iowa's existing reckless driving law by explicitly defining driving 25 miles per hour (MPH) or more over the speed limit as reckless driving. Currently, reckless driving is defined as driving in a manner that shows a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, but the bill now specifically includes excessive speeding as a clear example of such behavior. By making this change, the bill provides a more concrete definition of reckless driving and potentially makes it easier to prosecute such cases. The legal consequences for reckless driving remain significant: if such driving unintentionally causes a death, it would be a class "C" felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine between $1,370 and $13,660, and if it causes serious injury, it would be a class "D" felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine between $1,025 and $10,245. This amendment aims to deter dangerous driving and provide clearer legal guidance for prosecuting extreme speeding cases.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Public Safety (House)
Last Action
Referred to Public Safety. H.J. 895. (on 04/03/2025)
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=HF528 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF528.html |
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