This bill aims to improve transparency and community engagement in the development of trunk highway projects in Minnesota by establishing new requirements for community notifications. The commissioner is mandated to provide detailed information about major highway projects to residents and stakeholders before these projects are included in the state transportation improvement program. Additionally, the bill introduces the formation of community advisory assemblies and policy advisory committees for each project, which will consist of local residents, business representatives, and government officials. These groups will be responsible for offering recommendations on project purpose, design alternatives, and ensuring community input is integrated throughout the development process.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing statutes related to trunk highway performance and sustainability, requiring the commissioner to implement performance measures and targets for the trunk highway system. It establishes a Transportation Project Activity Portal, which will serve as a centralized online resource for comprehensive information on highway projects, including interactive mapping and project details. The bill also amends reporting requirements by replacing "major highway projects" with "trunk highway system performance and department activity," focusing on performance measures, project impacts, and fiscal transparency. An appropriation is included to fund the portal's implementation in fiscal year 2026, with the community notification requirements set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and the portal to be operational by January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 161.178, 174.03, 174.07, 174.56