MN SF75

Commissioner of Transportation must conduct research on autonomous mowers for vegetation management at rest areas, highway rights-of-way, ditches, shoulders, and other department-owned property

Research must analyze different mower configurations, commercial availability, safety in varied terrain, obstacle navigation, worker safety impacts, and autonomous mowing use by other states and government entities

Any autonomous mower equipment purchased for research must be bought from a Minnesota-based company

Commissioner must submit a report to legislative transportation committees by February 15, 2027, including a detailed pilot project plan and cost-benefit analysis

$150,000 appropriated from the trunk highway fund in fiscal year 2026 for research and equipment purchases