Iowa Senate Bill SSB3033

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/10/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to personal information of the previous owner of a motor vehicle.(See SF 2117.)

Impact

The legislation is expected to have implications on how personal data related to vehicle ownership is managed within the state. By centralizing the previous owners' data in the DOT's or county's records rather than on publicly accessible title certificates, the bill seeks to safeguard former owners' information from being readily available to the public. This step reflects a growing concern for individual privacy and aligns with broader trends in data management and protection laws.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 3033 aims to amend the legal requirements surrounding the information contained within motor vehicle title certificates in Iowa. The bill proposes to remove the mandate that the title certificate include the name and address of the previous vehicle owner. Instead, it requires that the Department of Transportation (DOT) or county treasurers maintain this information in their administrative records. The goal of this amendment is to enhance privacy protections for previous vehicle owners while ensuring that necessary data remains accessible through official channels.

Contention

While this bill has garnered support for its privacy-saving measures, there may be points of contention among stakeholders, particularly vehicle buyers, and industry advocates who may argue that access to previous ownership information is crucial for due diligence in transactions. Some may worry that limiting access to this information could hinder transparency within the vehicle sales market. Additionally, the bill might raise questions about how effectively the DOT and county offices can manage and protect this sensitive data without compromising accessibility for authorized users.