This bill amends the assessment requirements for trunk highway projects in Minnesota, emphasizing the evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled. It establishes a technical advisory committee to facilitate these assessments and broadens the scope of projects subject to evaluation by replacing "capacity expansion project" with "project or portfolio." Before inclusion in the transportation improvement program, applicable entities must assess whether projects align with emissions reduction targets. If a project does not meet these criteria, the entity is required to modify the project, implement mitigation strategies, or cease development. The bill also mandates that mitigation actions be localized and prioritized based on their community impact, and it requires the commissioner to publish assessment outcomes.

Furthermore, the bill allocates funding for transportation impact mitigation, designating $10 million from the trunk highway fund for fiscal year 2025, with a base appropriation of $5 million for the subsequent two years. It also provides $4 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2025 for grants to metropolitan planning organizations and local governments to support compliance with the new requirements. The effective date for these changes is February 1, 2025, with exemptions for projects already in the transportation improvement program prior to this date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 161.045