The Kansas Legislature is considering allowing the Kansas Department of Transportation to raise the state's highest speed limit on separated, multiple-lane highways from 75 to 80 miles per hour. The new limit would bring the state in line with several other sparsely populated, largely rural Western states, including South Dakota, pictured here in this April 2015 file photo.

Topeka ? Legislative committees are considering bills that would allow the Kansas Department of Transportation to raise the state’s highest speed limit on separated, multiple-lane highways from 75 to 80 miles per hour.

The Wichita Eagle reports that lawmakers could decide next week if one of the bills will go to the full Kansas House of Representatives.

The new limit would bring the state in line with several other sparsely populated, largely rural Western states. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says Idaho, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming have a maximum speed limit of 80 miles per hour.

Republican state Rep. John Bradford says the change would help regulations match reality, since many travelers drive faster in open country.

The transportation department opposes the bill, and it’s unclear whether it would raise the speed limit if the law changes.