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Panel moves bill to increase speed limit for implements of husbandry from 30 to 35 mph
Summary
The committee approved sending a bill to the General Register that would raise the allowable operating speed for implements of husbandry to 35 mph and harmonize statutory language; testimony noted consistency with existing rules for other equipment and raised safety questions.
The House Transportation Committee voted to send Senate File 13 60 (also carried as House file 739/1360 references) to the General Register after hearing testimony and questions about safety and statutory consistency.
Representative Olson said the bill increases the operating speed for implements of husbandry (items such as grain carts, hay wagons and other farm implements) from 30 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. He said modern equipment is built to withstand the extra speed and that the change aligns some statutory language. Olson also noted that slow-moving vehicle placards would still be required.
Colonel Christina Bogojevic of the Minnesota State Patrol testified that the change "offers consistency in other statutes where implements are addressed that is currently already 35 miles per hour," and that the language aligns the statutes without impacting traffic safety.
Representative Kraft questioned whether a 5-mph increase could affect pedestrian or crash outcomes; Colonel Bogojevic replied that the language was chosen to harmonize statutory references and that other similar vehicles already operate at 35 mph under separate provisions. Representative Murphy recounted incidents in which a slow-moving vehicle contributed to a crash, arguing that higher speeds can sometimes reduce risk from rear-end impacts.
Representative Olson27s motion to send the bill to the General Register was approved by the committee.
The bill does not change city speed limits; Olson said local limits remain in force and the state-level language applies to implements as statutorily defined.
