Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to authorize the Minnesota Department of Transportation to research and develop autonomous mower technology for use in mowing and vegetation management on department-owned property. This initiative is intended to explore automation's potential benefits in terms of efficiency and worker safety.

Main Provisions

• Research Authorization: The commissioner of transportation is tasked with conducting research on the use of autonomous mowers for maintaining grass and vegetation at rest areas, highway rights-of-way, and other roadside properties.
• Examination of Existing Practices: The research will include the study of autonomous mower use in other states and government entities. It will analyze mower configurations requiring various levels of human intervention, potential safety issues, and impacts on worker safety.
• Minnesota-Based Companies: If the research includes purchasing autonomous mower technology, it must be sourced from Minnesota-based companies.
• Pilot Project Proposal: The commissioner must propose a pilot project to study the implementation challenges of autonomous mower technology.
• Reporting Requirement: By February 15, 2027, the commissioner must report to the legislative transportation committees on research findings, potential pilot projects, cost-benefit analyses, and other insights gained from the study.

Significant Changes

• Funding Appropriation: $150,000 is allocated from the general fund for the fiscal year 2026 to support the research, including the purchase of an autonomous mower from a Minnesota-based company.

Relevant Terms

autonomous mower, automation, vegetation management, Minnesota Department of Transportation, rest areas, highway right-of-way, pilot project, worker safety, cost-benefit analysis, Minnesota-based companies.