This bill amends Iowa's transportation laws regarding the gross weight limits for motor vehicles transporting raw farm products on public highways. It modifies Section 321.460 to exempt vehicles loaded with hay or stover from certain load spilling regulations. Additionally, it revises Section 321.466 to allow vehicles carrying raw farm products, soil fertilizers, and soil amendments to operate with a gross weight up to 25% over their registered weight, while also codifying a comprehensive list of what constitutes raw farm products. This list now includes items such as dead animals, grains, fruits, vegetables, and various other agricultural products.

The bill removes specific references to raw dairy products, livestock, live poultry, and eggs from the previous exemptions and incorporates them into the newly defined category of raw farm products. It also introduces soil amendments, which are defined as substances intended to improve soil characteristics, into the list of loads eligible for the weight exception. Furthermore, the bill allows the Department of Transportation to adopt rules for additional raw farm products that may qualify under this exception, thereby expanding the scope of what can be transported under the new weight allowances.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.460