A bill that would have raised the speed limit on Iowa’s interstates has hit a dead end in the Iowa Senate, but legislators are advancing bills targeting those caught texting and driving on Iowa roads.The Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday tabled a bill that would have given the D-O-T authority to raise the speed limit to 75 miles an hour on highways designed for higher speeds.
Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, was the bill’s sponsor.

“I heard from probably hundreds of Iowans — some for, some against and I would say it’s healthy to have the conversation,” Zaun says. “I would say it’s dead for right now.” But Zaun says if there’s an opportunity to insert his proposed speed hike into another bill being debated in the senate, he’ll try it. “Might possibly do an amendment if I find the right vehicle to do that, no pun intended,” Zaun says, with a laugh. A bill that would ban drivers from holding a cell phone while they’re driving is eligible for debate in the House Transportation Committee this afternoon (Wednesday).

The SENATE Transportation Committee, however, has voted to allow police to pull someone over if they suspect the driver is texting, but the committee did NOT vote to ban talking on a cell phone while driving. Senator Tod Bowman, a Democrat from Maquoketa, says it’s “common sense” not to start listing all kinds of behavior — from talking on your cell to eating a hamburger — that leads to distracted driving.

“We’re hoping that people and technology adapt so that holding a hand-held will be a thing of the past,” Bowman says. Under current Iowa law, drivers are not to be writing, reading or sending texts while they’re behind the wheel, but law enforcement cannot pull you over simply because they suspect you’re texting. A driver has to be committing some other traffic violation like speeding or running a stop light. The bill now eligible for debate in the Senate would make texting while driving a “primary offense” and give police the authority to cite it as the sole reason for a traffic stop.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation say they’re still unsure why the agency’s first drug-sniffing dog jumped out of a truck window in October and fled into traffic. Earlier this week, the Iowa Appeal Board approved a $1,323 payout for damages to the owners of the vehicle that struck and killed the 2-year-old Belgian Malinois named Sara. The Oct. 8 incident was ruled an accident.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate committee has approved a bill that would expand language on a texting while driving ban but without a provision to prohibit people from using hand-held devices like cellphones. It is now available for the full Senate for debate. The committee also agreed to defer a vote on a bill that would have increased the speed limit on some Iowa highways from 70 mph to 75 mph.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Younger children could use guns with their parents’ approval under a bill approved by a House panel. The bill that now heads to a full committee also includes a provision blocking public access to the names of people with permits to carry and purchase weapons. The bill also would allow purchases of suppressors to silence firearm. People now must be at least 14 to use a pistol or revolver.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — The longtime owner of an iconic Ottumwa restaurant has sold the eatery after nearly 40 years of it being in the family name. Shirley McBeth, the woman in charge of the Canteen in Ottumwa, says she has transitioned ownership of the restaurant to Scott Pierce, an Ottumwa businessman. The Canteen has belonged to McBeth and her husband since 1976. The Canteen has been relocated once since its opening more than 80 years ago.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Younger children could use guns with their parents’ approval under a bill approved by a House panel. A judiciary subcommittee unanimously approved the bill Tuesday. It now heads to a full committee. Rep. Matt Windschitl, a Missouri Valley Republican, sponsored the bill, which also includes a provision blocking public access to the names of people with permits to carry and purchase weapons. The bill also would allow purchases of suppressors to silence firearm.

People now must be at least 14 to use a pistol or revolver. Windschitl says the limit should be removed, leaving the choice to parents. Most discussion at the hearing was about the public access questions. Windschitl says the change would protect residents’ privacy. The Iowa Newspaper Association says the public has a right to such records.

A local tax preparer wants to pass along a message she’s received from the Iowa Department of Revenue. Jan Kinnison with J&R Tax Service in Atlantic, says Iowa officials have been made aware of a potential scam targeting Iowa taxpayers. The scam begins through an automated phone call, which shows on your caller ID as being from 515-281-3114. That number is the Iowa Dept. of Revenue’s Taxpayer Service number, however, no automated phone calls can originate from that number.

If you answer, you’ll be informed that you are eligible for a refund from the Iowa Dept. of Revenue, and you’ll be asked whether the refund should be deposited into the account the Dept. has on-file, if you’ like to donate the refund to an animal charity. The Dept. of Revenue stresses that THEY WILL NOT MAKE THESE TYPES OF CALLS! Official believe this is an attempt to steal your bank account or other personal information.

By fraudulently displaying the Department’s phone number on caller ID, the scammer is attempting to convince you the call is legitimate. If you receive such a call, DO NOT PROVIDE any information to the caller. You may report the incident to the Iowa Dept. of Revenue or Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

For more information, go to https://tax.iowa.gov/identity-theft-and-phishing.