Iowa House Bill HF94

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/23
• Engrossed: 1/26/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

A bill for an act related to forgery involving movie prop money, and providing penalties.(Formerly HF 28.)

Impact

HF94 establishes a legal framework aimed at preventing the possible misuse of movie prop money. It sets out various penalties based on the monetary value of the property or services obtained through the fraudulent use of prop money. These range from a simple misdemeanor for offenses less than $300 to a class C felony for offenses involved more than $10,000. Such categorization of penalties reflects the seriousness of the offense as it relates to the intent to defraud, thereby allowing authorities to impose appropriate sanctions depending on the severity of the crime.

Summary

House File 94 addresses issues surrounding forgery specifically related to movie prop money. The bill introduces new provisions that define 'movie prop money' as currency-like products created for use in film, theater, or print media. By providing a clear definition, the bill aims to standardize the handling and legal implications of using these prop items in a manner that could be construed as fraudulent. This legal clarity addresses potential confusion around the usage of such currency replicas in various media productions, an area that tends to lack specific legal guidelines.

Contention

While the bill received overwhelming support in its voting history, with 94 yeas against just one nay, there may be concerns regarding the enforcement of these new provisions. One notable point of contention could arise from the interpretation of 'intent to defraud,' which may vary in execution depending on individual cases. Critics might argue that the bill could unintentionally affect individuals who use prop money legitimately in artistic or commercial contexts, raising the question of how law enforcement will differentiate between genuine use and malicious intent.

Last_action

The most recent action taken on HF94 occurred on January 26, 2023, when the bill passed successfully through the voting process, indicating a strong legislative support for addressing this type of forgery.