This bill focuses on enhancing transportation funding and appropriations in Minnesota, establishing a budget for various transportation-related agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety, for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It allocates significant funding for projects such as a new air traffic control tower at Duluth International Airport, grants for transportation management organizations, and statewide trunk highway corridor planning. The bill introduces a per-kilowatt hour tax on public electric vehicle charging and modifies the calculation of the electric vehicle surcharge. It also establishes a working group to analyze electricity as vehicle fuel and includes provisions for various transportation studies, reports, and rulemaking requirements, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and accountability.

Additionally, the bill includes appropriations for specific projects, such as $21.8 million for the trunk highway fund and $6.2 million for a land bridge freeway lid over Interstate Highway 94 in St. Paul. It allows the commissioner of transportation to transfer unencumbered balances among appropriations and mandates reporting to legislative committees. The bill also introduces a grant program for businesses affected by construction along Trunk Highway 61 and establishes new definitions and licensing requirements for public charging station operators. Furthermore, it mandates an evaluation of traffic enforcement practices and requires the Metropolitan Council to analyze alternative transit options for the Blue Line light rail transit extension project. Overall, the bill aims to improve transportation infrastructure and services while ensuring proper oversight and reporting requirements.

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