HF 1777

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/04/2019 04:37pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; authorizing cities to reduce speed limits in residential
areas; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.14, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.14, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Zoning within local area.

new text begin (a) new text end When local authorities believe that the existing
speed limit upon any street or highway, or part thereof, within their respective jurisdictions
and not a part of the trunk highway system is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under
existing conditions, they may request the commissioner to authorize, upon the basis of an
engineering and traffic investigation, the erection of appropriate signs designating what
speed is reasonable and safe, and the commissioner may authorize the erection of appropriate
signs designating a reasonable and safe speed limit thereat, which speed limit shall be
effective when such signs are erected. Any speeds in excess of these speed limits shall be
prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful;
except that any speed limit within any municipality shall be a maximum limit and any speed
in excess thereof shall be unlawful. Alteration of speed limits on streets and highways shall
be made only upon authority of the commissioner except as provided in subdivision 5a.

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (7), a local
road authority may establish a speed limit of less than 30 miles per hour on roads in
residential areas. The local road authority must erect appropriate signs to display the speed
limit.
new text end