Iowa House Bill HF2133

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/24
• Refer: 1/24/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to required information in the electronic database used by the department of transportation and law enforcement to access registration, titling, and driver's license information.(See HF 2307.)

Impact

The implementation of HF2133 is expected to have significant implications on how the DOT manages driver-related data. By integrating information about mandatory driver improvement actions into their electronic systems, the bill will facilitate better accountability and awareness of drivers who have faced issues that prompted legal intervention. This move may also assist law enforcement in making informed decisions based on a driver's past behavior and compliance with required education or remediation programs. Furthermore, it aligns with broader public safety goals by potentially reducing repeat offenses among drivers who have had prior incidents requiring educational courses.

Summary

House File 2133, introduced by Representative Meggers, seeks to amend the existing information included in the electronic database maintained by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) and law enforcement agencies. The primary objective of this bill is to require that the database not only retains standard registration, titling, and driver license information but also records whether a driver has been mandated to undergo remedial driver improvement actions, such as educational courses, due to incidents like arrests or accidents. This enhanced tracking aims to promote road safety by ensuring that individuals with a history of driving infractions are monitored effectively through these improvements.

Contention

While the bill promotes important safety measures, concerns regarding privacy and the scope of information being collected and used have been raised. Some members of the legislature have expressed apprehension about the increased surveillance of drivers and how such data might be interpreted or misused by law enforcement. The discussion surrounding HF2133 highlighted the delicate balance between enhancing public safety and safeguarding individual rights, especially in regard to data management and the implications for drivers who may have already faced significant consequences for their actions.