This bill addresses transportation funding and appropriations in Minnesota, establishing a budget for various agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Key appropriations include $5 million for the Duluth Airport Authority to build a new air traffic control tower, $650 million for the John A. Blatnik Bridge project, and $194.7 million for the Minneapolis-Duluth Northern Lights Express intercity passenger rail project. The bill also introduces a per-kilowatt hour tax on public electric vehicle charging, modifies the electric vehicle surcharge calculation, and establishes a working group to explore electricity as vehicle fuel. Additionally, it allows for the transfer of funds between years if appropriations are insufficient and mandates various studies and reports related to transportation and transit.

Moreover, the bill includes provisions for grants to cities for traffic calming infrastructure, funding for statewide trunk highway corridor planning, and support for climate-related programs. It designates new memorial structures, updates vehicle registration and taxation regulations, and introduces stricter requirements for dealer licenses. The bill also establishes a working group to analyze electricity usage as vehicle fuel and mandates studies on wheelchair accessible vehicles and alternative transit options for the Blue Line light rail project. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transportation infrastructure, support public safety, and promote environmental stewardship while streamlining processes and improving funding mechanisms across Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 4.076, 13.6905, 16A.88, 161.088, 161.115, 161.14, 161.178, 168.002, 168.013, 168.091, 168.27, 168.33, 168A.11, 168E.01, 168E.05, 169.011, 169.06, 169.686, 169.865, 169.974, 171.01, 171.05, 171.0605, 171.061, 171.0701, 171.0705, 171.071, 171.13, 171.17, 609.21, 171.2405, 171.301, 171.306, 174.07, 174.38, 174.49, 174.634, 289A.51, 296A.01, 296A.02, 296A.06, 296A.061, 296A.19, 296A.22, 297A.94, 297A.9915, 297A.993, 299A.55, 360.511, 360.55, 398A.04, 473.129, 473.13, 473.142, 473.1425, 473.386, 473.39, 473.408, 473.412, 473.4465, 473.452