Statehouse roundup — hands-free while driving law finally passes legislature, House approves new eminent domain bill

DES MOINES — The Iowa House once again has approved bipartisan legislation protecting landowners along with proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline route.

The bill includes new restrictions on eminent domain use to seize land for an expansion of the pipeline. It also calls for Summit to reimburse landowners who cannot obtain insurance because the pipeline runs through their property.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where key Republicans there have voiced support along with Governor Reynolds for the pipeline project.

== After years of efforts, the Iowa House on an 84-11 vote passed a bill that bans the use of electronic devices while driving unless the device is in “hands free” or “voice activated” mode. The Senate passed the bill last week and it now heads to Governor Reynolds for her signature. Reynolds called for lawmakers to take action on the bill during her annual “Condition of the State” address in January.

When the bill is signed, it will end a decade-long effort to pass a tougher bill. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau called for the law in 2015, back when Terry Branstad was governor. Over two-dozen organizations formed a coalition in December called “End Distracted Driving”. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s executive director says 30 states have adopted “hands free” laws and have seen a significant drop in accidents and fatalities caused by distracted drivers.

Iowa Department of Transportation records indicate distracted driving crashed have increased by 43 percent over the past decade.