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SF4549 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Escort requirements modification for certain oversized loads

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To modify escort requirements for certain oversized loads by adding a new subdivision to the transportation statute. Specifically, it addresses oversized loads that are manufactured homes or modular homes and clarifies who pays for police escorts and when an escort is required.

Scope and definitions

  • Applies to an overdimensional load that is a manufactured home or modular home, as defined in section 327.31 subdivisions 6 and 23.
  • The change concerns situations where a peace officer requires an escort even though none is normally required under another part of the statute.

Key provisions

  • If no licensed peace officer escort is required under the usual rules (subdivision 2), but a peace officer still requires that the load have a licensed peace officer escort, the officer who imposes this additional requirement must not serve as the escort, nor receive compensation for providing the escort.
  • The commissioner of public safety must pay the cost of the escort from existing department funds and must establish a procedure for paying and arranging these escorts.
  • If an overdimensional load briefly crosses the centerline as allowed by section 169.18, it does not count as extending beyond the left of the centerline for the purposes of the rules in subdivision 2, paragraph d.

Funding and administration

  • Escort costs for these manufactured or modular home loads are to be paid by the commissioner of public safety using existing department funds.
  • The commissioner must establish a procedure to handle payment and administration of these escorts.

Significance and practical impact

  • Shifts financial responsibility for certain escorts from the load carrier or operator to the state, specifically to the commissioner of public safety.
  • Adds a guardrail to prevent peace officers who impose additional escort requirements from serving as escorts themselves, and from receiving compensation for that service.
  • Clarifies how temporary centerline deviations affect the evaluation of whether an escort is required under these rules.

Relationship to existing law

  • Adds a new Subdivision 4 to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 169.812.
  • References and interacts with existing provisions in subdivision 2 and section 169.18, as well as definitions in section 327.31.

Implementation considerations

  • Requires the Department of Public Safety to develop and publish a procedure for funding and arranging the escorts for these specific loads.
  • Ensures standardized handling of escort costs and avoids conflicts of interest for officers who issue escort requirements.

Relevant Terms overdimensional load; manufactured home; modular home; licensed peace officer escort; commissioner of public safety; Minnesota Statutes 2024; section 169.812; subdivision 2; subdivision 4; section 327.31; centerline; section 169.18; compensation; funding

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 18, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
March 18, 2026SenateActionReferred toTransportation

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Manufactured or modular homes are subject to the new Subd. 4: definitions and rules related to escort requirements for such loads.",
        "If no licensed peace officer escort is required under Subd. 2 but a licensed peace officer requires an escort, the officer who imposes the requirement must not serve as the escort or receive compensation for the service.",
        "The commissioner of public safety must pay the cost of the licensed peace officer escort from existing department funds and must establish a procedure for this purpose.",
        "An overdimensional load that briefly crosses the centerline as permitted by section 169.18 does not extend beyond the left of the centerline for the purposes of Subd. 2, paragraph d."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill adds Subdivision 4 to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 169.812 to address escort requirements for certain overdimensional loads that are manufactured or modular homes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.812",
    "subdivision": "subd. 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "No changes to 327.31 are enacted; the bill uses definitions from 327.31, subds. 6 and 23."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill defines manufactured or modular homes for the purposes of the new Subd. 4 in 169.812 by referencing the definitions in Minnesota Statutes 327.31, subdivisions 6 and 23.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "327.31",
    "subdivision": "subds. 6 and 23"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Cross-reference to 169.18 to permit brief centerline crossing for certain overdimensional loads."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 169.18 to recognize that an overdimensional load may briefly cross the centerline under the circumstances described.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "169.18",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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