Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to ensure transparency and public involvement in projects related to acquiring road easements for the construction, reconstruction, or reconditioning of rural and suburban undivided roadways in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

1. Easement Definition and Requirements:

   • An easement involves acquiring land for public road construction, maintenance, or improvement.
   • The Department of Transportation, or relevant road authority, must determine compliance with minimum road design standards before proceeding with a project.

2. Public Report and Justification:

   • A public report must be created outlining the details and justifications for any easement project exceeding standard road widths, specifying if they are for drainage or road safety purposes.
   • The report needs to be easily understandable, avoiding technical jargon, and accessible to the public via the road authority’s website.

3. Public Participation:

   • The public must be given a minimum of 30 days for review and to submit written comments on the proposed easement project.
   • Justification for the easement must be presented at a public hearing before acquisition.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a requirement for detailed public reporting and justification before acquiring road easements, focusing on making the information accessible and providing a mandatory period for public comment.
• Introduces transparency protocols requiring public hearings and reports before any road easement acquisition.

Relevant Terms

• Easement
• Road Authority
• Public Report
• Minimum Standards
• Public Participation
• Transparency