HF3080

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to increase transparency and accessibility concerning trunk highway development projects in Minnesota. It proposes the creation of a centralized portal for public access to detailed information about such projects, and mandates certain reports and fiscal transparency measures.

Main Provisions

• Transportation Project Activity Portal: The bill requires the establishment of a centralized portal on the Minnesota Department of Transportation's website. This portal will provide comprehensive information on highway projects, their development, studies, assessments, and related activities. It will utilize a geographical information system interface for easy navigation.

• Enhanced Reporting: It mandates annual reports on highway project performance, expenditures, and achievements towards state transportation goals. Specific details on major highway projects, including their costs, timelines, and any delays, must also be included.

• Definition and Identification of Major Projects: Major highway projects are defined by their costs, with specific thresholds set for metropolitan and non-metropolitan districts. All projects must be clearly identified and included in reports.

• Fiscal Transparency Dashboard: A dashboard will be maintained to summarize fiscal information for highway projects, detailing expenditures and sources of funding.

• Implementation Date: The portal and reporting requirements must be implemented by January 1, 2027, or sooner if the necessary technology changes are completed.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amendments to Reporting Requirements: The bill modifies existing statutory requirements for transportation reporting by specifying detailed content and structure for the reports. This includes amending Minnesota Statutes sections 161.178 and 174.03 to incorporate the changes.

• New Requirements for Detailed Project Information: The bill adds new statutory requirements for the type of information that must be made publicly available online about each major highway project, ensuring both historical and ongoing data are accessible.

Relevant Terms

trunk highway, transportation project, transparency, performance measures, greenhouse gas emissions, fiscal transparency, major highway project, portal, geographic information system.