All Roll Calls
Yes: 131 • No: 12
IowaSF 2291st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
A bill for an act relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while driving, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable. Effective date: 07/01/2025.
Sponsored By: Mark S. Lofgren (Republican)
Signed by Governor
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Hands-free device use while driving
Beginning July 1, 2025, you cannot use a hand-held device to write, send, or read messages while driving. You may use GPS and features you control by voice or a single touch. The law defines “use” to include holding, viewing, or manipulating a device. It excludes devices built into the car and bans watching non‑navigation video, video calls, streaming video, gaming data, and reading messages while driving. Exemptions apply for public safety work, emergency reporting, farm equipment, licensed amateur radio, some transit and utility workers, certain ride‑share drivers when stopped, and fleet management systems.
Distracted-driving penalties and protections
Beginning July 1, 2025, using an electronic device while driving is treated as evidence of reckless driving, unless you use voice‑activated or hands‑free features or fall under listed exemptions. If a hand‑held message violation causes serious injury or death, extra criminal penalties apply. Breaking the hand‑held message law is a simple misdemeanor as a scheduled violation, and it is not a moving violation. Officers must issue a warning memorandum instead of a citation until January 1, 2026. These violations do not count toward the six‑offense habitual‑violator total. The scheduled fine wording changes, and police are not authorized to confiscate your device during enforcement.
Stricter rules for teen and work licenses
Beginning July 1, 2025, the DOT may suspend your instruction permit, intermediate license, or full license if you violated permit or intermediate license restrictions during those terms. For restricted work licenses, the DOT may suspend after one conviction and must revoke after two or more convictions. After revocation, you cannot get a new license or permit for one year or until you turn 18, whichever is longer. If you break these listed license restrictions, you get a special citation that is not a moving violation.
One statewide rule on device use
Beginning July 1, 2025, counties and cities cannot set their own rules for using electronic devices while driving. The statewide rule applies everywhere in Iowa. This makes enforcement uniform and removes local differences.
Code cleanup on license and penalties
Beginning July 1, 2025, the law deletes several paragraphs in the driver licensing and penalty code. These are conforming changes and the removed text is not shown here. Direct effects on most drivers are limited and mainly procedural.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mark S. Lofgren
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Kevin Alons
Republican • Senate
Doug Campbell
Republican • Senate
Dawn Driscoll
Republican • Senate
Lynn Evans
Republican • Senate
Jesse Green
Republican • Senate
Dennis Guth
Republican • Senate
Mike Klimesh
Republican • Senate
Carrie Koelker
Republican • Senate
Tim Kraayenbrink
Republican • Senate
Jeff Reichman
Republican • Senate
David D. Rowley
Republican • Senate
Ken Rozenboom
Republican • Senate
Sandy Salmon
Republican • Senate
Jeff Shipley
Republican • House
Annette Sweeney
Republican • Senate
Scott Webster
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/26/2025
Passed House
Yes: 84 • No: 11
Senate vote • 3/18/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 47 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Explanation of vote.
4/22/2025legislatureSigned by Governor.
4/2/2025GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
3/31/2025SenateMessage from House.
3/27/2025HouseImmediate message.
3/26/2025legislaturePassed House, yeas 84, nays 11.
3/26/2025HouseSubstituted for HF 827.
3/26/2025legislaturePlaced on calendar under unfinished business.
3/18/2025legislatureRead first time, passed on file.
3/18/2025legislatureMessage from Senate.
3/18/2025SenateImmediate message.
3/18/2025legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 47, nays 1.
3/18/2025SenateAmendment S-3027 filed, lost.
3/18/2025legislaturePlaced on calendar.
2/12/2025legislatureCommittee report, recommending passage.
2/12/2025legislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
1/22/2025legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 01/22/2025 2:30PM Room 315.
1/18/2025legislatureSubcommittee reassigned: Lofgren, Petersen, and Webster.
1/17/2025legislatureSubcommittee: Webster, Lofgren, and Petersen.
1/16/2025legislatureIntroduced, referred to Judiciary.
1/14/2025legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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