The Kansas House narrowly approved legislation March 23 that would bump up speeds on rural interstates in the state by 5 mph.

House lawmakers voted 64-61 in favor of the bill to raise the limit to 75 mph.

State Sen. Robert Tyson, R-Parker, told The Kansas City Star the higher speed limit would tend to attract drivers who otherwise would travel Interstate 80 through Nebraska to Interstate 70 in Kansas.

Tyson said I-80 carries 50 percent more traffic than I-70 in Kansas, resulting in more truck stops, restaurants and entertainment sites. He said people traveling from states east of Kansas have an incentive to detour around the state because most western states have 75 mph speed limits.

“We need to do this for economic development in Kansas,” Tyson said.

The measure, which passed the Senate last month, is headed back to the chamber for consideration of House changes to language on the effects of speeding tickets.

Speeding violations – which affect vehicle insurance rates – currently are noted on a driver’s record only if the driver were traveling at least 10 mph above the posted limit of 55 mph or more, the Lawrence World-Journal reported.

The House version would keep the 10 mph buffer intact, but the Senate’s version narrows the buffer to just 5 mph in 75 mph zones.

If both chambers agree on the bill’s final language, the bill, SB384, would be forwarded to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.