Branstad signs 37 bills into law

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad signed 37 bills into law Thursday dealing with policy issues ranging from traffic enforcement to election laws and severely ill Iowans being able to try experimental medical treatments.

Here is an overview of the bills signed by the governor that are now Iowa law:

' DOT tickets

: House File 464 gives Iowa Department of Transportation enforcement officers, often called 'blue jackets,” expanded enforcement authority to write traffic citations for one year, though their primary job continues to be commercial motor vehicle enforcement. DOT enforcement officers can ticket 'egregious offenders, such as those traveling at speeds 20 mph or more over the limit, operating while intoxicated and reckless driving.” Legislators plan to revisit the issue next session before deciding how to proceed in what was described as a 'turf conflict” with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and Iowa State Patrol.

' Assessment appeals:

House File 478 makes it easier for property taxpayers to appeal large spikes in property assessments; makes it easier to remove aggressive, poorly performing 'rogue” assessors; and shifts the burden from taxpayers to assessors to justify property values. Lawmakers say they were prompted to change the current process for protesting local assessor orders in light of the recent public outcry over high property assessments and valuations.

' Traffic accidents:

House File 313 states that drivers involved in a minor property-damage traffic accident must now move the vehicle from the travel portion of a roadway if the vehicle is operable and can be removed in a safe manner. The new law requires the driver to move the damaged vehicle to the shoulder, emergency lane or median nearest to the accident. Currently, drivers in minor accidents are required to immediately stop their vehicle at the accident scene until they exchange information with the other driver.

' ‘Right to try':

Senate File 404 allows terminally ill patients to have a 'right to try” by gaining access to experimental drugs. The law permits manufacturers of investigative drugs, biological products or devices to make them available to eligible patients with terminal illnesses, as long as patients provide written consent. Senators accepted a House amendment to make clear the legislation 'shall not be construed to allow a patient's treating physician to assist the patient in committing or attempting to commit suicide,” as prohibited by law.

' Gambling addiction: Problem gamblers can now enter into a voluntary lifetime exclusion from gaming areas. Under Senate File 442, a person could choose either a lifetime ban or a five-year exclusion. A five-year exclusion could be renewed for another five years or for life.

' School board elections:

House File 566 puts Iowa school board elections and city elections on the same day, effective in July 2019. Backers believe the change will increase voter turnout and decrease costs. Critics worry the change could confuse voters and add costs to counties if they have to train additional volunteers and keep polling places open later.

' Political checkoff gone:

House File 242 eliminates the optional Iowa Election Campaign Fund Income Tax Checkoff from the Iowa income tax form and also eliminates the Iowa Election Campaign Fund. It takes effect for the 2017 tax year. The bill repeals the Iowa Election Campaign Fund effective July 1, 2018. Under current law, each taxpayer filing an individual Iowa income tax return could assign $1.50 of the taxpayer's tax liability to a political party or the Iowa Election Campaign Fund. The checkoff does not increase the amount of tax owed or decrease refunds. When taxpayers choose to participate, funds are transferred from the state's general fund to either the selected political party or the Iowa Election Campaign Fund. It's estimated ending that checkoff will save the general fund $65,000 in the 2018 fiscal year.

' Child health care:

Taxpayers will not be asked on their 2017 state income tax return to indicate the presence or absence of health care coverage for their dependent children or be able to apply for certain public health care coverage.

' Trespassers:

Senate File 260 protects landowners from being sued by trespassers who should not have been on their land. Also, House File 69 changes the penalty for trespassing on private property from a simple misdemeanor to a scheduled fine. The fines increase from a range of $65 to $625 to $200 for the first violation, $500 for the second and $1,000 for subsequent violations.

' Jobs impact:

Senate File 1 requires that every administrative rule proposed by a state agency or department be accompanied by a jobs impact statement. The information is to outline the rule's purpose and statutory authority and detail the effect on state agencies, local governments, the public and the regulated entities, businesses and self-employed individuals. Each statement must determine whether a proposed rule would have a positive or negative impact on private sector jobs and employment opportunities.

l Comments: (515) 243-7220; rod.boshart@thegazette.com