A bill for an act
relating to transportation; authorizing a Tribal worksite training program;
establishing a transportation facilities capital program; authorizing collection of
passenger rail user fees and revenue; modifying previous appropriations;
appropriating money for driver's license testing; amending Minnesota Statutes
2022, section 174.02, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2023
Supplement, section 174.634, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; Laws 2021,
First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 3; Laws 2023, chapter 68, article
2, sections 2, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, 7, 9; 3; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 174.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 174.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
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The commissioner must establish a Tribal
worksite training program for state-funded construction projects. The commissioner may
enter into an agreement with any private, public, or Tribal entity for the planning, designing,
developing, and hosting of the program.
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(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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(b) "Capital building asset" includes but is not limited to district headquarters buildings,
truck stations, salt storage or other unheated storage buildings, deicing and anti-icing
facilities, fuel dispensing facilities, highway rest areas, and vehicle weigh and inspection
stations.
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(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation.
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(d) "Department" means the Department of Transportation.
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(e) "Program" means the transportation facilities capital program established in this
section.
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The commissioner must establish a transportation
facilities capital program in conformance with this section to provide for capital building
asset projects related to buildings and other capital facilities of the department.
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(a) A transportation facilities
capital account is created in the trunk highway fund. The account consists of money
appropriated from the trunk highway fund for the purposes of the program and any other
money donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account by law.
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(b) A transportation facilities capital subaccount is created in the bond proceeds account
in the trunk highway fund. The subaccount consists of trunk highway bond proceeds
appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of the program. Money in the subaccount
may only be expended on trunk highway purposes, including the purposes specified in this
section.
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The commissioner must establish a process to
implement the program that includes allocation of funding based on review of eligible
projects as provided under subdivision 5 and prioritization as provided under subdivision
6. The process must be in conformance with trunk highway fund uses for the purposes of
constructing, improving, and maintaining the trunk highway system in the state pursuant
to the Minnesota Constitution, article XIV.
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A project is eligible for the program under this section only
if the project:
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(1) involves the construction, improvement, or maintenance of a capital building asset
that is part of the trunk highway system; and
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(2) accomplishes at least one of the following:
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(i) supports the programmatic mission of the department;
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(ii) extends the useful life of existing buildings; or
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(iii) renovates or constructs facilities to meet the department's current and future
operational needs.
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In prioritizing funding allocation among projects under this
section, the commissioner must consider:
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(1) whether a project ensures effective and efficient condition and operation of the
facility;
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(2) the urgency in ensuring the safe use of existing buildings;
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(3) the project's total life-cycle cost;
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(4) additional criteria for priorities otherwise specified in law that apply to a category
listed in the act making an appropriation for the program; and
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(5) any other criteria the commissioner deems necessary.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 174.634, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:
(a) A passenger rail account
is established in the special revenue fund. The account consists of funds as provided in this
subdivision and any other money donated, allotted, transferred,new text begin collected,new text end or otherwise
provided to the account.
(b) By July 15 annuallynew text begin beginning in calendar year 2027new text end , the commissioner of revenue
must transfer an amount from the general fund to the passenger rail account that equals 50
percent of the portion of the state general tax under section 275.025 levied on railroad
operating property, as defined under section 273.13, subdivision 24, in the prior calendar
year.
(c) Money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner of transportation
for the deleted text begin netdeleted text end operating and capital maintenance costs of intercity passenger rail,new text begin which may
include but are not limited to planning, designing, developing, constructing, equipping,
administering, operating, promoting, maintaining, and improving passenger rail service
within the state,new text end after accounting for operating revenue, federal funds, and other sources.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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