Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
HF 629 – Automated Traffic Enforcement Systems, Primary Roads (LSB2142HV)
Staff Contact: Maria Wagenhofer (515.281.5270) maria.wagenhofer@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
House File 629 regulates the use of automated traffic enforcement (ATE) systems by local
authorities on the primary road system and prohibits the use or ownership of any ATE devices
by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT is also prohibited from receiving
any financial payment from ATE systems.
Prior to utilizing an ATE on the primary road system, a local jurisdiction must receive approval
from the DOT through submittal of a justification report that details the need for an ATE system
based on a variety of factors as detailed in the Bill. The DOT must approve or deny ATE
system requests within 90 days of receiving a completed justification report. The DOT must
post the local jurisdiction’s request and justification report on its website.
The Bill establishes the location and method that ATE systems may be installed and requires
local jurisdictions to post signs in advance of locations where ATE systems are in use. ATE
systems must be calibrated quarterly for fixed locations and prior to use for mobile ATE
systems. ATE systems must be used in conjunction with conventional law enforcement
methods and not as a replacement.
On or before May 1 each year, a local jurisdiction with an ATE system must evaluate the
effectiveness of the system and report the finding to the DOT. The DOT must review the annual
reports and determine whether continued use of the ATE system is justified. A local jurisdiction
may appeal a decision made by the DOT.
Background
As of March 2022, the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) is aware of 19 cities and towns in
Iowa that operate an ATE system or systems, including Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport,
Muscatine, Fort Dodge, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Waterloo, Fayette, West Union, LeClaire,
Strawberry Point, Hudson, Chester, Buffalo, Bellevue, Miles, Independence, and Oelwein. Data
is not available at this time regarding the use of ATE systems in additional cities or towns. As of
March 4, 2023, the LSA obtained data from Davenport, Des Moines, Muscatine, and Cedar
Rapids regarding their current ATE systems. Oelwein and Hudson recently implemented ATE
systems and do not have a full year of data.
Table 1 provides data obtained by the LSA on the number of ATE devices, base cost per
violation, vendors’ share of revenues, and local authorities’ share of revenues for the last full
fiscal year. Table 2 provides the number of ATE systems used by local authorities on primary
roads.
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 Table 1 — FY 2022 Estimated Violations and Revenues from ATE Devices
Local Number of Total Number of Number of Number of Base Fine Vendor Local Authority
Authority Mobile ATEs Operating ATEs Violations Issued Violations Collected Per Violation* Revenue Revenue
Cedar Rapids 2 19 187,575 108,557 $ 75 $ 2,439,845 $ 8,307,136
Council Bluffs 0 15 17,059 10,083 100 381,482 712,696
Davenport 4 18 43,327 21,357 65 647,671 1,720,046
Des Moines 2 11 116,918 76,960 65 1,735,109 3,267,303
LeClaire 1 5 79,922 69,341 50 2,323,790 2,428,840
Muscatine** 1 9 12,177 7,590 75 208,224 474,695
Sioux City 2 9 9,775 4,038 100 264,240 169,376
* Lowest violation amount. Actual violation amounts may increase depending on miles over the legal speed limit.
** Figures provided for Calendar Year 2022.
Source: Local authorities
Table 2 — Local Use of ATEs on Primary Roads
Number of Stationary Mobile ATEs Utilized on
Local Authority
ATEs on Primary Roads Primary Roads
Cedar Rapids 14 No
Council Bluffs 2 No
Davenport 11 Yes
Des Moines 4 No
LeClaire 4 Yes
Muscatine 2 No
Sioux City 2 Yes
Assumptions
The impact of House File 629 on the continued use of ATE systems already in operation on
primary roads is unknown.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact, if any, to local governments is unknown at this time. Table 3 shows each
city’s use of ATE system revenue.
Table 3 — Local Uses of ATE System Revenue
Local Authority Uses
Cedar Rapids Public safety positions, equipment, and programs
Council Bluffs General Fund
Davenport General Fund
Des Moines Des Moines Public Safety Radio System and Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System
LeClaire General Fund
Muscatine Police department personnel costs
Sioux City Public safety expenses
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Sources
Local authorities
Iowa Department of Transportation
Legislative Services Agency analysis
/s/ Jennifer Acton
March 23, 2023
Doc ID 1370776
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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