Iowa Bill Could Change the Way Cities Collect Traffic Camera Citations

Representatives speak with lobbyists at Tuesday's subcommittee meeting on House File 3.Photo: JD Snover

(Des Moines, IA) -- A proposed bill in Iowa could ban cities from using third party organizations to collect citations from traffic cameras. Cities say House File 3 would cause growth in government and force them to hire more employees.

Doug Struyk spoke on behalf of the City of Des Moines in a subcommittee meeting Tuesday morning.

"[The current system] is efficient," Struyk says. "They're good at what they do. It saves a lot of cost for the city and, therefore, the taxpayers in collecting these violations."

Des Moines wasn't the only city to send a lobbyist to the meeting. Gary Grant lobbied on behalf of Cedar Rapids.

"One of the frustrations we have is the legislature will pass a sweeping change and then come back next year with a tweak," Grant says. "Let's give things some time to work.

In addition to language on third party collectors, the bill also excludes camera citations from the list of set offs. That means the state Department of Revenue would not be able to go after unpaid debts and they would be left to the cities in all cases.

Rep. Bill Gustoff (R-Saylor Township) chaired the subcommittee.

"That part of bill...resonates with me a little bit more," Gustoff says.

The bill was sent back to the House's Public Safety committee for further consideration.


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