MN HF1598

Increases the width of highway right-of-way that may be mowed at any time from 8 feet to 15 feet from the road surface or shoulder.

Changes the unrestricted mowing period from "after July" to August 1 through December 31, with additional areas only mowed January 1 to July 31 if necessary for safety, research, or construction reasons, and cannot be mowed below 12 inches.

Allows spot-mowing or precision-haying for treatment of noxious weeds or invasive plant species using best management practices.

Permits private and public landowners to request in writing that roadsides on their property not be mowed to provide wildlife or pollinator habitat.

Establishes penalties of a petty misdemeanor and civil penalty equal to the value of vegetation taken, effective August 1, 2017, with penalties deposited in an account maintained by the road authority with jurisdiction over the affected roadside.