This bill amends Iowa's motor vehicle financial liability coverage requirements, specifically increasing the penalties for repeat violations. Under the new provisions, if a peace officer stops a driver who cannot provide proof of financial liability coverage and has been previously convicted of the same violation within the last five years, the officer is required to arrest the driver. The bill also allows the officer to remove the vehicle's registration plates and registration receipt or impound the vehicle. A significant change is that a second or subsequent violation of the financial liability coverage requirement within five years is classified as a class D felony, which carries a potential penalty of up to five years of confinement and fines ranging from $1,025 to $10,245.

Additionally, the bill introduces new subsections that outline the procedures for handling violations, including the dismissal of charges if the driver can provide proof of coverage at the time of the stop. It also clarifies that the scheduled fines for violations are $645 if related to an accident and $325 otherwise, with specific distribution of the collected fines. The bill removes certain existing language and adds new provisions to streamline the enforcement process and enhance penalties for non-compliance with financial liability coverage requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.20B, 805.8A