Relating to the operation of implements of husbandry on a certain segment of highway if that segment becomes part of the interstate road system, making appropriations, and including applicability provisions

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 United States highway 65, and state highway 5 where the highway designations overlap (segment), between the highway’s intersection with United States highway 6 and the highway’s intersection with United States 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 developed, deemed suitable by the department of transportation (DOT), and opened for traffic to bypass the interstate road system segment. 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 appropriates $250,000 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, so the implements can be operated on a highway other than the interstate road system segment. 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.