Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
SF 331 – Motor Vehicles, Blue Lights (LSB1690SV)
Staff Contact: Austin Brinks (515.725.2200) austin.brinks@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
Senate File 331 creates Iowa Code section 321.424, which outlines where authorized
emergency vehicles can equip lighting equipment and authorizes the different colors and
functions of those lights. In addition, the Bill amends Iowa Code sections 321.423 and 321.433
by restricting towing or recovery vehicles that are not owned by the State or a municipality from
being equipped with red or blue lights or a siren. A fine of $45 is created within Iowa Code
section 805.8A(3) for violations of new Iowa Code section 321.424.
Background
Iowa law currently provides circumstances in which blue, red, white, and amber lights may be
used on vehicles. Flashing lights on or in a motor vehicle are prohibited except for the following
instances:
• On an authorized emergency vehicle.
• On a vehicle when used to turn, a mechanical failure, or an emergency stop.
• On a vehicle used by a rural mail carrier when stopped or stopping near a highway to deliver
mail, or if the shade of the light is between white and amber and mounted as a dome light
on top of the vehicle.
• On a vehicle being operated under an excess size permit.
• A blue light under Iowa Code section 321.423(3) and a white light under Iowa Code section
321.423(7).
• Red, amber, and white lights used by school buses as described in Iowa Code sections
321.372 and 321.373(7).
• An amber light on a towing or recovery vehicle; utility, municipal, or highway maintenance
vehicle; construction vehicle; or certain other vehicles.
• Modulating headlamps on a motorcycle.
• On a vehicle being operated as an escort vehicle for a funeral procession under Iowa Code
section 321.324A.
Assumptions
There will be an unknown increase in fine and surcharge revenue as a result of SF 331.
Correctional Impact
Senate File 331 creates a new citation under Iowa Code section 805.8A(3). Since the violation
of this citation does not result in imprisonment, this Bill is not estimated to have a correctional
impact. Refer to the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) memo addressed to the General
Assembly, Cost Estimates Used for Correctional Impact Statements, dated January 22, 2021,
for information related to the correctional system.
Minority Impact
Senate File 331 establishes a new citation under Iowa Code section 805.8A(3). Since this is a
new citation, it is unknown how many violations there may be, and as a result, the minority
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impact is unknown. Refer to the LSA memo addressed to the General Assembly, Minority
Impact Statement, dated January 27, 2021, for information related to minorities in the criminal
justice system.
Fiscal Impact
Since SF 331 establishes a new citation, there may be an increase in fine and surcharge
revenue, but the impact is unknown. Table 1 shows the distribution of fine revenue for one
citation of the scheduled violation established under this Bill.
Table 1 — Fine and Surcharge Revenue Distribution
Fine Distribution 15.0% Crime Services Surcharge Distribution
15.0%
Crime 91.0% to State 32.0% to 20.0% to 2.0% to 46.0% to
Code Scheduled Services General 9.0% to Victim Comp. Criminalistics DARE** Juvenile Home Court
Section Fine Surcharge Fund/EMS* Fund County Fund Lab Fund Fund Detention Fund Costs
805.8A(3)(ac) $45 $6.75 $40.95 $4.05 $2.16 $1.35 $0.14 $3.11 $55.00
*Emergency Medical Services Fund (EMS) ** Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
/s/ Holly M. Lyons
February 18, 2021
Doc ID 1212789
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in
developing this fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services
Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov
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Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.393, 321.423, 670.1