HF1630

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to specify the permissible uses of funds from the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund and the Trunk Highway Fund in Minnesota. It seeks to ensure that these funds are utilized strictly for highway-related purposes and to establish clear restrictions against their use for non-highway activities.

Main Provisions

1. Definitions and Scope:

   • Defines "commissioner" as any state agency commissioner responsible for spending these highway funds.
   • Clarifies "highway purposes" to include construction, improvement, maintenance, operations of highways, multimodal infrastructure within highway right-of-way, and activities related to greenhouse gas emissions reduction and transit.

2. Expenditure Requirements:

   • Commissioners are allowed to use funds from the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund only for highway purposes.
   • Funds from the Trunk Highway Fund must be spent solely on trunk highway-related activities.

3. Spending Limitations:

   • Prohibits using these funds for the following non-highway related expenses:
     • Bureau of Criminal Apprehension lab
     • Explore Minnesota Tourism kiosks
     • Driver education programs
     • Mississippi River Parkway Commission
     • Certain costs of the Department of Information Technology Services
     • Governors' office personnel costs
     • Activities of the Department of Transportation’s Office of Aeronautics, Transit and Active Transportation, and Passenger Rail
     • Purchase of soft body armor
     • Tourist information centers and event sponsorships
     • Electric vehicle infrastructure
     • Statewide notification center for excavation services
     • Manufacturing of license plates

• The prohibition includes all types of expenses such as payroll, repairs, and equipment, extending to any future entities that are similar in nature to those listed.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill amends existing statutes to provide stricter guidelines on how Highway User Tax Distribution Funds and Trunk Highway Funds can be allocated, aiming to prevent misuse for expenditures not directly related to highway infrastructure and maintenance.

Relevant Terms

highway user tax distribution fund, trunk highway fund, highway purposes, commissioner, multimodal infrastructure, Department of Transportation, electric vehicle infrastructure, public funds usage, expenditure limitations.