SF2887 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Rail corridor service analysis for passenger rail service to Fargo and Kansas City; commissioner of transportation application for federal passenger rail corridor identification and development programming requirement; appropriating money
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The proposed legislation focuses on improving transportation in Minnesota by analyzing and developing new intercity passenger rail services. Specifically, it aims to extend rail service from St. Paul to Fargo, North Dakota, and establish new service routes from St. Paul to Kansas City, Missouri, with stops in Northfield, Albert Lea, and Des Moines, Iowa.
Main Provisions
- Application for Federal Program: The bill mandates the Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation to apply for inclusion in the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program. This program is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and aims to facilitate the planning and development of new rail corridors.
- Funding and Implementation: The bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the state's general fund for fiscal year 2026 to support these efforts, which includes securing federal matching grants.
- Rail Project Development: The funds will be used for:
- Intercity passenger rail projects that align with Minnesota's rail plan.
- Completing the required steps and scoping requirements under the Federal Program.
- Grants to local subdivisions for planning and service development in accordance with the state rail plan, including cost estimates, preliminary engineering, environmental and economic impact analyses.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill emphasizes new development projects aligning with a 2015 update to the state rail plan under existing Minnesota statutes. It sets a framework for securing federal grants and outlines detailed steps and funding to implement these rail corridor developments.
Relevant Terms
- Transportation
- Passenger rail service
- Corridor Identification and Development Program
- Federal Railroad Administration
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
- Rail corridor
- St. Paul
- Fargo
- Kansas City
- Appropriation
- Minnesota state rail plan
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Transportation |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New appropriation for rail projects and corridor identification."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill relates to the state rail plan and mentions Minnesota Statutes section 174.03 in context of funding and planning intercity passenger rail.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "174.03"
}
]