MN HF3548

Vehicles transporting farm produce must be constructed and loaded to prevent cargo from dropping, sifting, leaking, or blowing away, with exceptions for sand for traction, water for road maintenance, and liquid from thawing sugar beets.

Motor vehicles operated by farmers or their agents transporting produce such as small grains, shelled corn, or soybeans are exempt from cargo containment requirements if the produce is unlikely to cause injury or property damage when escaping in small amounts.

Violations of cargo containment requirements by non-exempt vehicles carrying farm produce are classified as petty misdemeanor offenses.

Hours of service exemptions under federal regulations now apply to drivers transporting sugar beets from September 1 to May 15 within a 150-air-mile radius from the commodity source or distribution point.

The planting and harvest period for Minnesota is extended to January 1 through December 31 of each year for purposes of federal hours of service regulations.