Bill

Bill > HF394


IA HF394

A bill for an act relating to certain state highways not designated as part of the interstate road system, including the operation of implements of husbandry on such highways, making appropriations, and including applicability provisions.(See HF 1025.)


summary

Introduced
02/13/2025
In Committee
02/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

Under current law, any kind of vehicle, implement, or conveyance incapable of attaining and maintaining a speed of 40 miles per hour (MPH) is prohibited from using the interstate road system. This bill provides a conditional exception to that prohibition. If an implement of husbandry may be operated on the segment of the highway known as U.S. highway 65, and state highway 5, including where the highway designations overlap (segment), between the highway’s intersection with U.S. highway 6 and the highway’s intersection with U.S. highway 69, prior to the date the segment becomes part of the interstate road system, then the implement of husbandry may continue to be operated on that segment until an alternative route for implements of husbandry is made available. The department of transportation (DOT) may authorize an implement of husbandry to be operated on the segment farther west beyond the intersection with U.S. highway 69. Under current law, an “implement of husbandry” means a vehicle or special mobile equipment manufactured, designed, or reconstructed for agricultural purposes and, except for incidental uses, is exclusively used in the conduct of agricultural operations. To be considered an implement of husbandry, a self-propelled qualifying vehicle must be operated at speeds of 35 MPH or less. The bill prohibits the DOT and the state transportation commission from pursuing an interstate road designation for the segment extending between the segment’s intersections with interstate 35 and interstate 80 unless the U.S. government provides an exemption from federal regulations regarding vehicle weight and size on that segment, as described in the bill. The bill appropriates moneys from the general fund of the state to the DOT to conduct an alternative highway study to develop and implement an accessible alternative highway route suitable for implements of husbandry. The bill applies to the segment on the effective date of the bill, and will continue to apply to the segment regardless of whether the highway’s designation is subsequently changed.

AI Summary

This bill addresses the operation of agricultural vehicles (implements of husbandry) on specific highway segments and prevents the Department of Transportation (DOT) from designating certain highway sections as interstate roads without federal exemptions. The bill allows implements of husbandry to continue operating on a segment of U.S. Highway 65 and State Highway 5 between U.S. Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 69, even after the segment becomes part of the interstate road system, until an alternative route is developed. The DOT is prohibited from pursuing interstate road designation for this highway segment unless the U.S. government provides an exemption from federal vehicle weight and size regulations. The bill appropriates $250,000 to the DOT to conduct a study and develop an alternative highway route suitable for agricultural vehicles. An "implement of husbandry" is defined as a vehicle designed primarily for agricultural purposes that typically operates at speeds of 35 miles per hour or less. The bill ensures that these provisions will continue to apply to the specified highway segment regardless of future designation changes, providing ongoing protection for agricultural vehicle operators in the area.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Withdrawn. H.J. 1073. (on 04/28/2025)

bill text


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