The Taylor Report by Sen. Rich Taylor

Sen. Rich Taylor?s legislative update for the week of May 13.

Chief Justice Mark Cady said in his State of the Judiciary address that ?Iowans expect their government to operate a full-time, full-service and efficient court system.?

The Legislature is working to provide that full-time access to justice with court funding in the Judicial Branch Budget. Senate File 442, approved with strong bipartisan support, should help Iowa?s highly respected courts improve staffing and services to ensure we continue to have one of the most responsive court systems in the nation.

Budget cuts have left 21 clerk offices open only part-time. This makes it difficult for Iowans to take care of court-related business during regular business hours. Citizens shouldn?t find a closed sign on the door when they show up to apply for a protective order, access legal documents or pay a bill.

In another move to make government more customer

friendly, the Legislature has approved changes that will make getting an Iowa driver?s license faster and easier.

SF 224, signed into law May 1, lets Iowa veterans get their veteran status marked on their driver?s license or state ID when they go in for a duplicate rather than waiting until they come up for renewal, which could be years away. It also makes licenses good for eight years for Iowans between the ages of 18 and 74. In addition, Iowans who voluntarily give up their driver?s license for age-related or medical reasons may get a free state ID.

HF 355, approved by the House and Senate, will make it possible for most Iowans to renew their driver?s license online every other time it comes up for renewal. That means no waiting in lines, no driving long distances and the convenience of renewing your license 24/7.

Those who will not be able to renew online include those under 18 and over 72, as well as those with serious vision problems such as glaucoma, cataracts or macular degeneration. These folks will still need to go to their local driver?s license renewal office.

Take advantage of online services offered through the Iowa Department of Transportation at https://mymvd.iowadot.gov.

Sen. Rich Taylor represents Henry and Lee counties and portions of Washington and Jefferson counties. For more information, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/taylor. To contact Taylor during session, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise, he can be reached at home at 319-931-1568 or rich.taylor@legis.iowa.gov.