Capitol Notebook: Stronger interlock requirements proposed to address drunken driving in Iowa

DES MOINES — Lawmakers advanced a bill aimed at improving Iowa's ignition interlock law by requiring those convicted of drunken driving to complete the designated time period without violations before the device can be removed and their license reinstated.

The bill is supported by AAA, the National Safety Council, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Students Against Destructive Decisions and other traffic safety groups.

The groups, in a letter to lawmakers, say the legislation is critical to reducing impaired driving in Iowa. They note 118 people died in drunken driving crashes in Iowa in 2021, accounting for about one-third of all traffic deaths in the state.

Supporters pointed to studies that suggest ignition interlock devices reduce recidivism by up to 70 percent among all offenders while being used.

House Study Bill 618 “protects people on the roadways while still allowing drivers with alcohol-related convictions to responsibly continue driving and meeting family and work obligations,” the letter states.

The bill allows individuals to waive the requirement to install an interlock device for a “verifiable medical condition that makes the person incapable of properly operating” the device.

Kellie Paschke, representing the Iowa Peace Officers Association, said the group has concerns with the bill mandating use of an interlock device, which some people may not be able to afford, leading to more people convicted of OWI to drive without a license and insurance. Such devices can cost from $50 to $100 a month to rent, in addition to installation and removal fees.

“From a police officer’s perspective, allowing pathways to compliance makes our roads safer,” Paschke said.

Rep. Brian Meyers, D-Des Moines, who voted against advancing the bill, echoed those concerns, saying he believes the policy creates a “money grab” opportunity for interlock companies. Meyers said he plans to work on an amendment to propose.

Lawmakers voted 2-1 to advance the bill for consideration by the full House Public Safety Committee.

Bill would cut funding levels if no budget passed

Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill that would allow lawmakers to end a legislative session without passing a budget.

Under the proposed bill, House File 2020, any agencies or programs that do not get funded by state lawmakers through the regular budget process at the time the Legislature adjourns for the year would automatically receive the same amount of money they received during the last fiscal year, reduced by half a percent.

The bill could address issues where the leaders in the Senate, House and the governor’s office reach an impasse on negotiating a budget for the upcoming year. In 2020, lawmakers passed a state budget just days before the new fiscal year started on July 1 after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations at the Capitol.

Rep. John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake, who introduced the bill, said during the subcommittee meeting that its intent is to put more pressure behind lawmakers to get a budget passed by the time the session is scheduled to end.

“My thought process in this is that this will force the Legislature to actually move faster and get a budget before April 16, because that’s our last day,” he said.

The bill was advanced by two Republicans on a three-member subcommittee. Rep. Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, did not vote to advance the bill.

Matson said she appreciated the idea of having a backup plan for funding the government, but that she would like the bill to at least keep funding status quo, rather than reducing funding.

Lawmakers move to restrict AI in elections

A bill aimed at restraining the use of artificial intelligence in Iowa elections advanced out of a subcommittee Tuesday.

The bill, House Study Bill 599, would require materials made with artificial intelligence that are intended to advocate for or against a candidate for office in the state to have a statement attached that acknowledges it was created using artificial intelligence.

The bill comes as state and federal regulators consider how to contain the emerging technology that could have major ramifications on elections.

Artificial intelligence refers to a type of computer program that can perform tasks that typically require human input. AI technology can be used to create digitally altered images, videos and audio recordings.

The bill would require that a “materially deceptive depiction of a candidate” in campaign materials include an acknowledgment. That would include depictions that alter the physical appearance of a candidate or show them doing something that never happened.

The bill would also prohibit a person from publishing a “false representation about a candidate or ballot issue” that is intended to or does affect voting during an election.

Gender balance repeal advances

A bill that would remove the requirement for Iowa’s boards and commissions to have an equal number of men and women advanced Tuesday out of a Senate committee.

The bill would overturn a set of laws, dating to 1987, that require a gender balance on state boards and commissions. The laws originally were passed to address a lack of women appointed to the boards.

Supporters of Senate File 2096 say the gender balance requirements on Iowa’s boards are unnecessary as women have made advances in Iowa. But opponents say the existing law has helped to empower women in Iowa and removes barriers to leadership.

The bill is now eligible for a vote in the Iowa House.

The bill comes after a federal judge in January struck down the gender balance requirement for the State Judicial Nominating Commission, saying the requirement is unconstitutional.

Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to introduce a similar provision as part of a bill that would reorganize Iowa’s board and commissions.

Driving while high

Senate lawmakers advanced a bill Tuesday that would exempt medical marijuana patients in Iowa from being convicted of operating while intoxicated if they have only marijuana in their system.

The bill, Senate File 2074, would expand existing law that states that OWI laws do not apply to a person who uses a substance that was prescribed by a physician or pharmacist to encompass people that use cannabis as part of the state’s lawful medical cannabis program.

If drivers can prove they had a legal medical cannabis card at the time of the alleged offense, they could use that as a defense against an OWI conviction. The exemption would not apply if the person was also under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Cannabis can be detected in urine for weeks after the most recent use, and for up to 12 hours in blood tests.

While Senate lawmakers advanced the bill, some said they were concerned it would give people who are impaired from cannabis to use legal immunity.

“We need to understand that cannabis is something that we’ve legalized in Iowa for medical treatment, and that, frankly, some of these prescription drugs that we’ve legalized are incredibly dangerous to be operating on,” said Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau