Work zone safety and contracting requirements established, and provisional driver's license requirements modified.

HF 2265 establishes new safety requirements for highway construction work zones and modifies provisional driver's license rules. It requires contractors working on "live traffic contracts" (where workers are near active lanes on trunk highways) to include specific bid items for flagging hours in their proposals. For provisional driver's licenses, the bill adds a mandatory 30-minute online work zone safety course covering safety practices, operator responsibilities, and penalties, which applicants must complete before receiving a license. These changes apply to highway construction contracts advertised after August 1, 2025, and new license applications submitted after August 1, 2026. The bill directly affects construction contractors and teen drivers seeking provisional licenses in Minnesota.