Minnesota Legislature
HF 893
as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/08/2021 02:16pm
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to transportation; providing new regulations related to animal-drawn
vehicles and overdimensional load vehicles; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020,
sections 169.035, subdivision 3; 169.18, subdivision 10; 169.522, subdivision 1;
169.58, by adding a subdivision; 169.812, subdivision 2.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 169.035, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Transportation by animal.
deleted text begin Everydeleted text end new text begin Anew text end person riding an animal or deleted text begin driving any
animal drawing adeleted text end new text begin operating an animal-drawnnew text end vehicle upon a roadway deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin isnew text end subject to
the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions
which by their nature can have no application.new text begin A person operating an animal-drawn vehicle
must comply with sections 169.18, subdivision 10; 169.522; and 169.58, subdivision 6.
new text end
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 169.18, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
Subd. 10.
Slower vehicles.
(a) Upon a roadway with one lane in the direction of travel,
a person proceeding at a speed that is sufficiently low as to create a traffic hazardnew text begin , including
when operating an animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway or shoulder of a roadway,new text end must
operate the vehicle as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
(b) Upon a roadway with more than one lane in the same direction of travel, a person
must move out of the left-most lane to allow another vehicle to pass, when practicable under
existing conditions. A left-most lane under this paragraph is the lane adjacent to one
designated and posted for a specific type of traffic, including as provided under section
160.93. This paragraph does not apply when:
(1) overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
(2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
(3) preparing to exit a controlled-access highway on the left side of the road;
(4) the lane is designated and posted for a specific type of traffic; or
(5) the vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle.
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 169.522, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
Displaying emblem; rules.
(a) All animal-drawn vehicles, motorized
golf carts when operated on designated roadways pursuant to section 169.045, implements
of husbandry, and other machinery, including all road construction machinery, which are
designed for operation at a speed of 30 miles per hour or less, must display a triangular
slow-moving vehicle emblem, except (1) when being used in actual construction and
maintenance work and traveling within the limits of a construction area marked in accordance
with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as set forth in section 169.06, or (2)
for a towed implement of husbandry that is empty and that is not self-propelled, in which
case it may be towed at lawful speeds greater than 30 miles per hour without removing the
slow-moving vehicle emblem. The emblem must consist of a fluorescent or illuminated
red-orange triangle with a dark red reflective border and be mounted so as to be visible from
a distance of not less than 600 feet to the rear. When a primary power unit towing an
implement of husbandry or other machinery displays a slow-moving vehicle emblem visible
from a distance of 600 feet to the rear, it is not necessary to display a similar emblem on
the secondary unit. All slow-moving vehicle emblems sold in this state must be so designed
that when properly mounted they are visible from a distance of not less than 600 feet to the
rear when directly in front of lawful lower beam of headlamps on a motor vehicle. The
commissioner of public safety shall adopt standards and specifications for the design and
position of mounting the slow-moving vehicle emblem. Such standards and specifications
must be adopted by rule in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(b) An alternate slow-moving vehicle emblem consisting of a dull black triangle with a
white reflective border may be used after obtaining a permit from the commissioner under
rules of the commissioner. A person with a permit to use an alternate slow-moving vehicle
emblem must:
(1) carry in the vehicle a regular slow-moving vehicle emblem and display the emblem
when operating a vehicle between sunset and sunrise, and at any other time when visibility
is impaired by weather, smoke, fog, or other conditions; and
(2) permanently affix to the rear of the slow-moving vehicle at least 72 square inches
of reflective tape that reflects the color red.
new text begin
(c) In addition to the emblem requirement under this subdivision, an animal-drawn
vehicle must comply with section 169.58, subdivision 6.
new text end
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 169.58, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
new text begin Subd. 6. new text end
new text begin Animal-drawn vehicles. new text end
new text begin
(a) An animal-drawn vehicle must be equipped with
an identification lamp or lamps that indicate the vehicle's presence and are visible from a
distance of at least 500 feet from both the front and the rear. The lighting requirement under
this subdivision may be met using a lamp powered by energy generated from the vehicle's
movement.
new text end
new text begin
(b) This subdivision does not apply to an animal-drawn vehicle that: (1) operates
exclusively between the hours of sunrise and sunset and never during periods of reduced
visibility, inclement weather, or insufficient light; or (2) never operates on a public roadway.
new text end
Sec. 5.
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 169.812, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2.
Escort vehicles required; width.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and
(e), no escort vehicle is required if the width of an overdimensional load is 15 feet or less
as measured at the bottom of the load or is 16 feet or less as measured at the top of the load.
(b) Only one rear escort vehicle is required on a multilane divided roadway if the width
of an overdimensional load is more than 15 feet as measured at the bottom of the load or is
more than 16 feet as measured at the top of the load.
(c) Only one lead escort vehicle and one rear escort vehicle is required on any undivided
roadway if the width of an overdimensional load is more than 15 feet as measured at the
bottom of the load or is more than 16 feet as measured at the top of the load.
(d) deleted text begin Onlydeleted text end new text begin One lead escort vehicle, one rear escort vehicle, andnew text end one lead licensed peace
officer is required when any part of an overdimensional load or a vehicle transporting an
overdimensional load extends beyond the left of the centerline on an undivided roadway.
(e) The commissioner may require additional escorts when deemed necessary to protect
public safety or to ensure against undue damage to the road foundations, surfaces, or
structures. The commissioner must specify in the permit (1) the number of additional escorts
required; and (2) whether the operators of the escort vehicles must be licensed peace officers
or may be escort drivers, as defined in subdivision 1.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Sec. 6. new text begin ANIMAL-DRAWN VEHICLES; SAFETY MANUAL.
new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner of public safety, in collaboration with the Department of
Transportation, State Patrol, traffic safety organizations, and other interested parties, must
develop and publish an animal-drawn vehicles safety manual. When developing the manual,
the commissioner must evaluate similar manuals already published by other states.
new text end
new text begin
(b) At a minimum, the safety manual must discuss and provide specific guidance with
respect to:
new text end
new text begin
(1) animal-drawn vehicle courtesy and conduct;
new text end
new text begin
(2) relevant traffic regulations, including traffic signs, traffic signals, pavement markings,
driving rules, and equipment requirements;
new text end
new text begin
(3) an overview of how other vehicles and motorists interact with animal-drawn vehicles
on the roadway;
new text end
new text begin
(4) safety best practices;
new text end
new text begin
(5) travel information; and
new text end
new text begin
(6) any other information the commissioner deems necessary.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The commissioner must publish the manual under this section on or before January
1, 2022.
new text end
new text begin
(d) The manual under this section is not an administrative rule under Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 14. The commissioner is exempt from provisions of that chapter with respect to any
activities taken under this section.
new text end
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end