This bill establishes a prohibition on the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) and the state transportation commission from seeking an interstate road designation for a specific segment of highway, namely the section of U.S. Highway 65 and State Highway 5 that runs between Interstate 35 and Interstate 80. This prohibition is contingent upon the U.S. government providing an exemption from federal regulations concerning vehicle weight and size for that segment. Additionally, the bill allows for implements of husbandry to continue operating on this segment until an alternative route is developed, provided they were authorized to do so before the segment's designation as part of the interstate road system.

The bill also includes an appropriation of $250,000 from the state general fund to the DOT for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to conduct a study aimed at developing an alternative highway route suitable for implements of husbandry. Furthermore, it amends existing law to clarify that certain vehicles incapable of maintaining a speed of 40 MPH are generally prohibited from using the interstate road system, but makes an exception for implements of husbandry operating on the specified segment under certain conditions. The applicability of this act is maintained regardless of any future changes to the highway's designation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 306A.2