Bill Would Allow Mini Trucks on Local Roads

A bill that would allow operation of mini trucks on local roads as passenger automobiles has been introduced in the House and Senate and will have its first hearing in the House on Tuesday, Feb. 5.
(Published Feb 1, 2013)

A bill that would allow operation of mini trucks on local roads as passenger automobiles has been introduced in the House and Senate and will have its first hearing in the House on Tuesday, Feb. 5. HF 138 (Nornes, R-Fergus Falls), requires titling and a vehicle identification number (VIN). It also specifies mini truck required equipment, operation, restrictions, and prohibitions.

The League has concerns about the proposal since it changes the existing law prohibiting mini-trucks on local roads unless explicitly allowed by the road authority. Although the bill provides that a local road authority may by ordinance prohibit the operation of a mini truck on streets and highways under the local road authority's jurisdiction, they no longer have the authority to issue permits for mini-truck use.

The first hearing on the bill will be Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 2:15 p.m. in the House Transportation Policy Committee.

The Senate companion to HF 138, SF 67 (Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria), has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

Questions? Contact Anne Finn at afinn@lmc.org or at (651)281-1263.

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