House committee advances bill to raise interstate speed limit from 75 to 80 mph

Representative Ben Koppelman, R.-West Fargo, asked the House Transportation Committee to open a hearing on House Bill 1298, saying the bill "will raise the speed limit on interstates from 75 to 80." He told the committee the measure has been introduced in multiple sessions and was vetoed last time by the governor over unrelated seat belt legislation.

Koppelman said the bill would be phased in, allowing the Department of Transportation to raise speeds where roads "can easily handle the speed" and to upgrade other segments over time. He cited a handout mapping where improvements would be minor or unnecessary and said states bordering North Dakota already have 80-mph interstates. "The 1 resource that every every human being is allocated equally is time," Koppelman said, urging the committee to pass the bill so motorists could save travel time.

Supporters in the hearing echoed Koppelman's point that aligning posted limits with prevailing speeds would reduce speed variance and passing movements. Jeff Simon, a registered lobbyist testifying as an individual citizen, said he travels I-94 frequently and that more uniform speeds reduce lane‑change maneuvers that often cause crashes.

Koppelman referenced national guidance on speed-setting, saying the Federal Highway Administration, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Institute of Transportation Engineers recommend using an "85% rule"—raising posted limits when more than 85% of drivers exceed the posted speed. He also told the committee that the state has made safety improvements on interstates, including median cable railings.

Committee members asked about roadway design, weather‑based driving requirements and law enforcement discretion. Koppelman and other legislators noted state statutes already require drivers to adjust speed for conditions; DOT staff were suggested as possible sources to confirm design standards.

After questions and additional brief public testimony in support, the committee took a motion for a do‑pass recommendation. The clerk recorded the roll call; the motion carried with members voting in favor and one recorded absence. The committee named Representative Koppelman to carry the bill to the floor.

Nut graf: The measure would raise posted interstate speeds to 80 mph statewide while preserving municipal control through agreements with DOT in sections that pass through city limits. Supporters cited prevailing speeds and comparative experience in neighboring states; opponents and members pressed for engineering and enforcement details during questioning.

Ending: The committee advanced HB 1298 to the full House with a do‑pass recommendation and selected a bill carrier. DOT staff were not directed to prepare additional materials during the hearing, though members asked for technical details about design standards and winter driving considerations.