Governor Kim Reynolds met with law enforcement officials in Adel and signed a bill into law on Tuesday. 

Reynolds held a press conference at the I-80 Weigh Station near mile marker 115 in Adel as well as toured the facility and signed into law Senate File 513, which aligns two state government departments. The Law will transfer 98 Motor Vehicle Enforcement employees from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Public Safety. Governor Reynolds says the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division is limited in what they can do from a law enforcement perspective and this law will allow them to get the additional training to become a trooper. 

“I think it’s the right thing to do. And really there was already a great partnership that exists. But at a time when we’re having a hard time finding, you know, state troopers and law enforcement to be able to bring 98 enforcement officers into the fold is, you know, they’ll still do. They’ll still have the MVA division, which is incredibly important, but they’ll also have the training to be a trooper.”

Chief of the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Tom Brunn says that this law will enhance the footprint of state officers on the road and improve safety and the ability of the officers to protect. 

“I believe it’s positive for both departments. It’s positive for the citizens of Iowa. It’s a more streamlined government will be more effective and just more resources available in emergency situations.”

The effective changes will be made on July 1st.