The bill modifies the allocation of assessments collected from railroad and pipeline companies for emergency preparedness activities, specifically amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 299A.55. Key changes include the establishment of a railroad and pipeline safety account, which will now receive $560,000 for environmental protection activities related to railroad discharge preparedness. Additionally, the bill specifies that $1,500,000 will be deposited into the grade crossing safety account, and any remaining funds will be appropriated to the commissioner of public safety for specified purposes. The annual assessment amount for railroad companies is reduced from $4,000,000 to $3,418,000, with a new structure for how these funds are allocated.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new assessment of $582,000 specifically for pipeline companies based on the aggregate gallons of oil and hazardous substances transported in Minnesota. It also mandates that rail carriers or pipeline companies involved in significant incidents must cover the costs of post-incident reviews and analyses incurred by the state and local governments. The effective date for these changes is the day following final enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 299A.55