SF22 makes it illegal to use a handheld electronic device (such as a phone) while driving unless it is in hands-free or voice-activated mode. Drivers caught using a device improperly face a $100 fine, and if their actions cause serious injury, penalties can increase to $500 and include possible license suspension. The law goes into effect July 1, 2025, and exempts fully stopped vehicles, public-safety workers, utility workers, transit operators, and farmers using implements of husbandry.

The Iowa State House of Representatives passed SF22 on March 26, 2025 by a vote of 84 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill expands government regulation at the expense of personal responsibility and individual liberty. It allows the state to further intrude into daily life and sets a precedent for micromanaging behavior behind the wheel. Additionally, carve-outs for certain professions create unequal treatment under the law, undermining the principle of equal protection and fostering public distrust. Such matters are best addressed through education and individual accountability—not government mandates.