1. (A) The director of transportation shall establish and administer a grass removal assistance support and safety program. Under the program, the department of transportation shall provide supplemental grass, weed, and other natural growth removal to a village when all of the following apply:

   1. (1) The grass, weeds, or other natural growth are within the right-of-way of a state highway.
   2. (2) The state highway is within the corporate limits of the village.
   3. (3) The location of the grass, weeds, or other natural growth makes removal, pruning, or trimming difficult, dangerous, presents a significant financial hardship for the village, or is imperative for maintaining clear visibility for drivers along the highway.
   4. (4) The legislative authority of the village requests assistance from the department through the program.
2. (B) Under the program, the department shall provide support to a village through cutting, trimming, mowing, or any other substantially similar activity. All support shall be provided in a manner that is in accordance with department standards for maintaining grass, weeds, and other natural growth.

3. (C) The director shall establish procedures for the program that include:

   1. (1) The application process;
   2. (2) A system for verifying the location and necessity of the aid requested;
   3. (3) A process for administering the grass, weed, and natural growth removal for qualified village applicants;
   4. (4) Any other procedures and requirements necessary for the department to administer this section.
4. (D) The department shall provide the grass, weed, and natural growth removal assistance to each qualified applicant. The director shall not seek reimbursement for the assistance provided under this section from a village if reimbursement presents a significant financial hardship for the village.
5. (E) Nothing in this section requires the department to reimburse or pay a village for grass, weed, and natural growth removal that is performed by either an employee of the village or a third party on behalf of the village.

Last updated May 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM