1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to traffic regulations; modifying vehicle weight requirements on 
1.3 	highways; increasing a fee;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 
1.4 	169.826, subdivision 1a; 169.862.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.826, subdivision 1a, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subd. 1a.Harvest season increase amount. The limitations provided in sections 
1.9 	169.822 to 169.829 are increased by ten percent from the beginning of harvest July 
1.10 	1 to November 30 each year for the movement of sugar beets, carrots, and potatoes
1.11 	agricultural crops except for forest products from the field of harvest to the point of the 
1.12 	first unloading. Transfer of the product from a farm vehicle or small farm trailer, within 
1.13 	the meaning of chapter 168, to another vehicle is not considered to be the first unloading. 
1.14 	The commissioner shall not issue permits under this subdivision if to do so will result in a 
1.15 	loss of federal highway funding to the state. 

1.16 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.862, is amended to read:
1.17 	169.862 PERMIT FOR WIDE LOAD OF BALED AGRICULTURAL 
1.18 	PRODUCT.
1.19 		Subdivision 1.Annual permit authority; restrictions. (a) The commissioner of 
1.20 	transportation with respect to highways under the commissioner's jurisdiction, and local 
1.21 	authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may issue an annual permit 
1.22 	to enable a vehicle carrying round bales of hay, straw, or cornstalks, with a total outside 
2.1 	width of the vehicle or the load not exceeding 11-1/2 12 feet, and a total height of the 
2.2 	loaded vehicle not exceeding 15 feet, to be operated on public streets and highways.
2.3 	(b) The commissioner of transportation and local authorities may issue an annual 
2.4 	permit to enable a vehicle, having a maximum width of 102 inches, carrying a first haul 
2.5 	of square bales of straw, each bale having a minimum size of four feet by four feet by 
2.6 	eight feet, with a total outside width of the load not exceeding 12 feet, to be operated on 
2.7 	public streets and highways between August 1 and March 1 within 35 miles of the border 
2.8 	between this state and the state of North Dakota.
2.9 	(c) The commissioner of transportation and local authorities may issue an annual 
2.10 	permit to enable a vehicle carrying square bales of hay, each with an outside dimension of 
2.11 	not less than three feet by four feet by seven feet, with a total height of the loaded vehicle 
2.12 	not exceeding 15 feet, to be operated on those public streets and highways designated 
2.13 	in the permit.
2.14 		Subd. 2.Additional restrictions. Permits issued under this section are governed by 
2.15 	the applicable provisions of section 169.86 except as otherwise provided herein and, in 
2.16 	addition, carry the following restrictions: 
2.17 	(a) The vehicles may not be operated between sunset and sunrise, when visibility is 
2.18 	impaired by weather, fog, or other conditions rendering persons and vehicles not clearly 
2.19 	visible at a distance of 500 feet, or on Sunday from noon until sunset, or on the days the 
2.20 	following holidays are observed: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, 
2.21 	Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
2.22 	(b) The vehicles may not be operated on interstate highways.
2.23 	(c) The vehicles may not be operated on a trunk highway with a pavement less 
2.24 	than 24 feet wide.
2.25 	(d) A vehicle operated under the permit must be equipped with a retractable or 
2.26 	removable mirror on the left side so located that it will reflect to the driver a clear view of 
2.27 	the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
2.28 	(e) A vehicle operated under the permit must display red, orange, or yellow flags, 18 
2.29 	inches square, as markers at the front and rear and on both sides of the load. The load 
2.30 	must be securely bound to the transporting vehicle.
2.31 	(f) Farm vehicles not for hire carrying round baled hay less than 20 miles are exempt 
2.32 	from the requirement to obtain a permit. All other requirements of this section apply 
2.33 	to vehicles transporting round baled hay.
2.34 	The fee for the permit is $24 $60.