Panel reviews bill to strengthen lighting requirements for animal‑drawn and slow‑moving vehicles

Representative Tim Taylor told the committee that House Bill 74 would update Missouri law governing lighting and reflectors on animal‑drawn vehicles to improve nighttime visibility and reduce collisions. Taylor said the proposal increases visibility distances and adds a required yellow lamp on top of the vehicle in addition to front and rear lighting.

The sponsor said he was not targeting any single group but that Amish communities in portions of the state — where horse‑drawn buggies are common on narrow rural highways — are particularly affected. Taylor said he had not yet consulted directly with Amish community leaders and asked the committee to avoid rushing the bill so the legislature can hear from community representatives.

Under the draft language discussed in committee, some key changes would include: raising minimum visibility for lamps and reflectors from 500 feet to 1,000 feet for certain lamps; requiring one white front lamp visible from 1,000 feet; requiring either two red rear lamps visible from 1,000 feet or one red rear lamp plus two reflectors visible to 600 feet; and a yellow lamp mounted at the vehicle’s top that would remain lit at all times. Taylor said the provisions follow examples in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania and noted the slow‑moving‑vehicle triangle would remain an alternative marking in some situations.

Committee members and witnesses discussed practical and cultural points. Several members representing districts with Amish or similar communities described varied practices across Amish groups (some allow battery‑powered lights; others prefer candles and disallow certain modern devices) and stressed that decisions in Amish communities are often made by local bishops. Representative Ken Hayden said bishops’ buy‑in would be important to achieving compliance.

Supporters argued the change would save lives. Mark Figenbaum of the Missouri Farm Bureau said increased lighting would protect motorists and horse‑drawn travelers. Former Representative Craig Redmond, who said he introduced lighting legislation after an Amish fatality when he served, warned the committee against broadening the bill to cover bicyclists and other slow‑moving vehicles, arguing that doing so would invite substantial opposition and slow or block the measure.

Members raised implementation questions such as equipment cost and availability. Representatives noted that modern LED lights, battery packs and small solar panels make compliant lighting widely attainable; others observed that costs would fall on vehicle owners and that communities should be consulted. Taylor said the Missouri Highway Patrol had signaled support for measures that improve visibility.

The hearing ended with the sponsor asking the committee to allow time for direct outreach to Amish community leaders and for the bill to be refined in committee; no vote was taken at the hearing.