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Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis
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Minnesota Senate Bldg.
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95 University Avenue W. Suite 3300
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St. Paul, MN 55155
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(651) 296-4791
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Alexis C. Stangl
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Director
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Senate
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State of Minnesota
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S.F. No. 1852 - Restrictions on Mowing and Haying in Ditches
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Author:
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Senator John C. Pederson
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Prepared By:
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Krista Boyd, Senate Fiscal Analyst (651/296-7681)
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Date:
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March 23, 2015
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This bill makes a variety of changes to the section of statute regulating mowing of roadside ditches.
The bill:
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adds haying to several of the provisions in this section now applied to mowing and tilling;
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applies the provisions of this section to individuals (in addition to road authorities);
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applies the provisions of this section to roads within cities;
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modifies the dates when right-of-way may be mowed;
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changes the minimum height to which mowing is allowed;
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requires a haying permit on all federal and state highways;
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allows for mowing or haying as treatment of noxious weeds or invasive species;
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allows for mowing of residential areas, but encourages landowners to delay until after nesting season;
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restricts the mowing of roads adjacent to wildlife management areas to road authorities only, unless permission is obtained from the Commissioner of Natural Resources;
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allows for landowners to request in writing to the road authority that their property not be mowed, for the purpose of providing roadside habitats;
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allows local road authorities to set more restrictive mowing, haying or tilling ordinances; and
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requires the Commissioner of Natural Resources to coordinate with local road authorities (in addition to the Commissioner of Transportation) to enhance roadside habitats.
The bill also states that a violation of this section is a misdemeanor and sets a penalty based on the value of the affected vegetation. Penalties collected are to be deposited in an account maintained by the affected road authority.
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Check on the status of this bill
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Last review or update: 03/23/2015
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