House approves $350 million transportation appropriation

By James Q. Lynch 

The Gazette

DES MOINES – ATVs, seatbelts and the “NAFTA Super-highway” were among the potholes on the road to House passage of a $350.7 million state transportation budget Wednesday.

Senate File 2381 includes $48.9 million from the Road Use Tax Fund, $301.8 million from the Primary Road Fund, and authorizes 3,373.0 FTE positions. That's a net decrease of $1.6 million and 20 FTE positions compared to the current year.

On the way to approving the budget, representatives agreed to allow ATV operators to stop for soda or gas at a convenience store. They also changed seatbelt regulations to take drivers off the hook for backseat passengers who don't buckle up. A driver and front seat passenger each may be charged for not using their seatbelts. However, the amendment adopted by the House says the driver cannot be charged for a violation by a passenger who is 14 or older.

The House rejected an amendment that would have stripped $50,000 from the appropriation for North America' Supercorridor Coalition dues. Rep. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, said the Legislature didn't know enough about the coalition and what it did to justify the dues – roughly enough to pay for one K-12 teacher.

Floor Manager Rep. Dennis Cohoon, D-Burlington, defended the dues, saying $50,000 “is not that huge” and offers Iowa an economic development tool.

Among the highlights of the transportation appropriations bill are:

an increase of $1.2 million for road salt.a decrease of $1.1 million and 20 FTEs for staffing costs associated with implementation of the federal REAL ID Act. The department says they will implement REAL ID using existing staff.an increase of $162,000 for electronic processing of driver's licenses and an increase of $12,000 for county issuance of driver's licenses.$1 million for connecting 20 DOT garages to municipal sanitary sewers. The cost is $6.8 million and the department will request $1 million a year over the next six years, or the amount necessary to fully fund the requirements.

a decrease of $1.1 million and 20 FTEs for staffing costs associated with implementation of the federal REAL ID Act. The department says they will implement REAL ID using existing staff.

an increase of $162,000 for electronic processing of driver's licenses and an increase of $12,000 for county issuance of driver's licenses.

$1 million for connecting 20 DOT garages to municipal sanitary sewers. The cost is $6.8 million and the department will request $1 million a year over the next six years, or the amount necessary to fully fund the requirements.

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