HF 2875

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/20/2018 10:24am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; providing for certain trunk highway system mowing
reimbursements; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section
160.232.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 160.232, is amended to read:

160.232 MOWING DITCHES OUTSIDE CITIES.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Limitations and requirements. new text end

(a) To provide enhanced roadside habitat
for nesting birds and other small wildlife, road authorities may not mow or till the
right-of-way of a highway located outside of a home rule charter or statutory city except as
allowed in this section and section 160.23.

(b) On any highway, the first eight feet away from the road surface, or shoulder if one
exists, may be mowed at any time.

(c) An entire right-of-way may be mowed after July 31. From August 31 to the following
July 31, the entire right-of-way may only be mowed if necessary for safety reasons, but
may not be mowed to a height of less than 12 inches.

(d) A right-of-way may be mowed as necessary to maintain sight distance for safety and
may be mowed at other times under rules of the commissioner, or by ordinance of a local
road authority not conflicting with the rules of the commissioner.

(e) A right-of-way may be mowed, burned, or tilled to prepare the right-of-way for the
establishment of permanent vegetative cover or for prairie vegetation management.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Management practices. new text end

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end When feasible, road authorities are encouraged
to utilize low maintenance, native vegetation that reduces the need to mow, provides wildlife
habitat, and maintains public safety.

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end The commissioner of natural resources shall cooperate with the commissioner
of transportation to provide enhanced roadside habitat for nesting birds and other small
wildlife.

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Trunk highways; mowing reimbursements; appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) By January
1 each year, the commissioner must calculate the total maintenance cost savings resulting
from trunk highway mowing performed by private persons.
new text end

new text begin (b) The amount calculated under paragraph (a) is annually appropriated from the trunk
highway fund to the commissioner for maintenance reimbursement grants to persons who
perform mowing in trunk highway rights-of-way. The commissioner must establish a
grantmaking process that ensures funds are equitably allocated based on each grant recipient's
mowing activity.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018.
new text end