Iowa Senate Bill SF2117

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to personal information of the previous owner of a motor vehicle.(Formerly SSB 3033.)

Impact

The effect of SF2117 would be significant for both vehicle buyers and sellers as it shifts the burden of keeping track of previous owner information from titles to centralized records managed by state authorities. This transition aims to improve the integrity of records while diminishing the risk of privacy violations that can occur when personal information is present on public documents. By ensuring that previous owner details are maintained securely in a centralized system, the Iowa State Legislature anticipates maintaining better control over sensitive data and bolstering protection against identity theft.

Summary

Senate File 2117 focuses on regulating the disclosure of personal information regarding previous owners of motor vehicles in Iowa. The bill aims to amend certain sections of the Iowa Code to change the requirements for information included on vehicle title certificates. Specifically, the legislation seeks to remove the requirement for the name and address of the previous owner to appear on the vehicle title certificate, thus centralizing and securing this information within the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the county treasurer's records. This change is part of an effort to streamline vehicle registration processes while enhancing privacy protections for individuals who transfer ownership of vehicles.

Contention

Notably, the discussion surrounding this bill has not been without contention. Supporters argue that the removal of previous ownership information from titles is a necessary step to protect citizen privacy in an era of increasing data breaches and unauthorized access to personal information. However, critics may raise concerns about the transparency of vehicle ownership transitions and how these changes could complicate efforts to track vehicle history for prospective buyers. Balancing personal privacy with the public's right to access ownership information poses a challenge that legislators must navigate while considering the bill.

Voting_history

The bill has garnered unanimous support within committee votes, reflecting a strong bipartisan agreement on the necessity of protecting personal information related to motor vehicle ownership. The voting history indicates a positive trend towards its acceptance in the Senate, enhancing the likelihood of its eventual enactment. As this initiative progresses, ongoing discussions will likely continue to address both the concerns and advantages of these legislative changes.