Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to allocate funds for the development of a new bike trail stretching from the city of Harmony to the city of Caledonia in Minnesota. This initiative is part of a broader focus on enhancing outdoor recreation and promoting more sustainable transportation options.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill proposes an appropriation of $14,000,000 from the state's bond proceeds fund. This substantial investment will cover costs associated with the acquisition of property and easements needed for the trail.

• Project Planning: The funds will also be used for the predesign and design phases of the bike trail. The designated route will follow the marked Trunk Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 52, passing through the cities of Canton, Mabel, and Spring Grove.

• Project Phasing: This allocation represents Phase 1 of the bike trail project, indicating that further development may be planned or needed in the future.

• Use of Unspent Funds: If any portion of the allocated funds remains unspent upon completion of the specified phases, it may be redirected towards further engineering and construction of the bike trail, following written notice to the commissioner of management and budget.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Bond Authorization: The bill authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds to finance the project. This authorization is in accordance with specific sections of the Minnesota Statutes and the Minnesota Constitution, which outline the processes and regulations governing state bonding.

Relevant Terms

bike trail, Harmony, Caledonia, state bonds, state funding, outdoor recreation, sustainable transportation, Trunk Highway 44, U.S. Highway 52, property acquisition, easements, infrastructure development, city of Canton, city of Mabel, city of Spring Grove.