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he Minnesota Department of Transportation said it asked state lawmakers to delay proposals for exemptions to truck size and weight laws while it undergoes a review of existing standards.

MnDOT said it asked for the delay after granting two requests for exemptions this year.

“The review was prompted by bills that are introduced into the legislature every year from groups asking to be exempted from some regulation,” said Betsy Parker, director of government affairs for MnDOT. “We’re trying to get away from exemptions, and we’re trying to figure out what would be allowed if we made any changes [to the existing law]. ”

John Hausladen, president of the Minnesota Trucking Association, said pressure for exemptions comes from the state’s agriculture and forestry sectors. Those groups “are always looking for ways to reduce their costs, and increased size and weight limits mean fewer truck loads. It makes sense that they seek exemptions to accommodate their unique harvest and planting seasons,” Hausladen said.

For the full story, see the Aug. 29 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.