SSB 3050 (LSB 5054XC (1) 89)

SENATE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE BILL BY CHAIRPERSON ZUMBACH)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to mowing on rights-of-way and medians of interstate highways, primary highways, and secondary roads.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 317.19, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  The board of supervisors may appropriate moneys to be used for the purposes of controlling or eradicating weeds or brush within the right-of-way of roads under county jurisdiction in a manner consistent with the county’s program of weed control or eradication pursuant to section 317.13, except as provided in section 314.17. 
    Sec. 2.  REPEAL.  Section 314.17, Code 2022, is repealed.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, Code section 314.17 prohibits mowing roadside vegetation on rights-of-way and medians of primary highways, interstate highways, and secondary roads prior to July 15 unless the mowing is done within 200 yards of an inhabited dwelling; on rights-of-way within one mile of the corporate limits of a city; to promote native species of vegetation or other long-lived and adaptable vegetation; to establish control of damaging insect populations, noxious weeds, and invasive plant species; for visibility and safety reasons; within rest areas, weigh stations, and wayside parks; within 50 feet of a drainage tile or tile intake; for access to a mailbox or for other accessibility purposes; or on rights-of-way adjacent to agricultural demonstration or research plots.
   This bill repeals Code section 314.17, eliminating the roadside mowing prohibition. The bill makes conforming changes to Code section 317.19.