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HF2686 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Local approval for commercial and intercity rail projects required, and commissioner of transportation duties modified.

Related bill: SF1468

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish a requirement for local governmental approval before any planning, development, or construction of intercity or commuter rail projects in Minnesota. This ensures that rail projects align with local community preferences and needs.

Main Provisions

  • Local Approval Requirement: Before starting a rail project, the Commissioner of Transportation must obtain approval from each affected local government unit, such as cities, counties, or towns. Approval can be via a formal resolution or a public vote.
  • Commissioner's Duties: The Commissioner is responsible for all phases of rail project development and must ensure local community needs are reflected in the project.
  • System Plan Approval: The commuter rail system plan requires approval from each local city, county, or town before final design plans can proceed.
  • Public Hearings and Participation: Before finalizing design plans, public hearings must be held to gather input, and the community must be involved in decisions on station locations and designs.
  • Metropolitan Planning Organization Review: The Commissioner must submit plans for review to ensure consistency with regional development guides. Plans must be amended if they do not align with existing plans.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill amends existing Minnesota statutes to include local approval as a mandatory step before any rail project development.
  • It introduces requirements for public hearings and active local participation in decision-making processes for rail projects.
  • The amendments stipulate that project plans must be consistent with local and metropolitan development plans, requiring modifications if necessary.

Relevant Terms

  • Local approval
  • Intercity rail projects
  • Commuter rail projects
  • Commissioner of Transportation
  • Public hearings
  • Advanced corridor plan
  • Metropolitan planning organization

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toTransportation Finance and Policy
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toTransportation Finance and Policy

Citations

 
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      "summary": "This bill references the regulation of contracts involving liability under section 3.732, subdivision 1 clause 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "3.732",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1 clause 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references areas governed under section 466.01, subdivision 6 pertaining to liability.",
      "modified": []
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    "citation": "466.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill mentions section 466.04 concerning the liability of entities involved in contracts for commuter rail services.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "466.04",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill mentions section 466.06 concerning the liability of entities involved in contracts for commuter rail services.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "466.06",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references the federal Employers Liability Act under Title 45 of the United States Code.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "45 U.S.C.",
    "subdivision": "section 51 et seq."
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references the federal Railway Labor Act under Title 45 of the United States Code.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "45 U.S.C.",
    "subdivision": "section 151 et seq."
  }
]

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