Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Fiscal Note
                                          Fiscal Services Division
HF 345 – Scenic Byways (LSB1429HZ)
Staff Contact: Maria Wagenhofer (515.281.5270) maria.wagenhofer@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
House File 345 establishes a Scenic Byways Enhancement Fund in the State Treasury under
the control of the Department of Transportation (DOT). For each application for vehicle
registration renewal, county treasurers or the DOT must request through use of a written form or
through verbal communication that an applicant make a voluntary contribution to the Fund.
Contributions must be $1 or more and computed to the nearest whole dollar. All moneys
collected in the form of contributions must be remitted for deposit in the Fund.
Moneys in the Fund are appropriated to the DOT for the support, development, maintenance,
and enhancement, including litter prevention, of scenic byways in the State. Up to 5.0% of the
moneys collected by a county may be retained in the general fund of that county.
This Bill takes effect January 1, 2024.
Background
Vehicles registered under Iowa Code chapter 321 are subject to registration renewal annually.
Vehicle registration must be renewed in the applicant’s county of residence or online.
The statewide Scenic Highways Program was established under Iowa Code chapter 306D.
Iowa Administrative Code 761 IAC 132 makes a distinction between a heritage byway and a
scenic byway and retitles the program to the Iowa Byways Program. A heritage byway is
defined as a route that has historic or cultural significance along its length or connects various
areas or sites of historic or cultural significance along its length. A scenic byway means a route
that has naturally scenic features visible along its length. Both byways are included under the
Iowa Byways Program. Iowa currently has 14 byways, which include 3 national scenic byways,
1 State heritage byway, and 10 State scenic byways.
Under Iowa Code section 321.44A, applicants for vehicle registration or renewal can currently
make a voluntary contribution of $1 or more to the Anatomical Gift Public Awareness and
Transplantation Fund established in Iowa Code section 142C.15. The counties maintain up to
5.0% of the moneys collected by the county. In calendar years 2021 and 2022, moneys
collected in this Fund totaled $126,000 and $121,000, respectively.
Assumptions
• It is unknown how many voluntary contributions will be made to the Scenic Byways
   Enhancement Fund, whether contributions will vary year by year, or whether any
   contributions made will offset contributions previously made to the Anatomical Gift Public
   Awareness and Transplantation Fund.
• Counties will retain 5.0% of the total contributions made to the Scenic Byways Enhancement
   Fund. At this time, it is unknown which counties will receive this funding.
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•   Calendar year 2021 and 2022 contributions to the Anatomical Gift Public Awareness and
    Transplantation Fund are used to estimate contributions to the Scenic Byways
    Enhancement Fund.
•   The DOT will absorb any additional information technology and administrative costs
    associated with this change in its existing resources and budget.
Fiscal Impact
At this time, it is difficult to determine the overall contributions to the Scenic Byways
Enhancement Fund and whether any contributions would displace contributions previously
made to the Anatomical Gift Public Awareness and Transplantation Fund.
If contributions made to the Scenic Byways Enhancement Fund mirror those made to the
Anatomical Gift Public Awareness and Transplantation Fund, HF 345 is estimated to increase
revenue to the Scenic Byways Enhancement Fund by $59,000 in FY 2024 and $118,000 each
fiscal year thereafter. County general funds in the aggregate would receive an increase of
$3,000 in FY 2024 and $6,000 in each fiscal year thereafter. Revenue collected in the Scenic
Byways Enhancement Fund is appropriated to the DOT. Moneys remaining in the Fund at the
end of the fiscal year are permitted to carry forward, and any interest earned remains in the
Fund.
Sources
Department of Transportation
Legislative Services Agency calculations
                                                                               /s/ Jennifer Acton
                                                                               February 21, 2023
Doc ID 1369555
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: 321.44B