SF3367

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to improve traffic safety across Minnesota by funding various traffic safety initiatives. It focuses on work zones, rural high-risk roads, and general traffic safety enhancement, including enforcement and training.

Main Provisions

• Work Zone Safety: Allocates $300,000 for fiscal year 2026 from the trunk highway fund to improve work zone designs or layouts that can help reduce vehicle speeds.

• Safe Road Zones: Dedicates $1,000,000 from the trunk highway fund and another $1,000,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to implement safety measures in designated safe road zones within the trunk highway system.

• Rural High-Risk Roads: Appropriates $10,000,000 from the trunk highway fund for fiscal year 2026 to enhance safety on rural high-risk roads through design improvements aimed at speed reduction and minimizing intersection interactions. These funds will be available until June 30, 2029. An additional $2,000,000 from the general fund is earmarked for grants to law enforcement agencies to enforce safety on these roads, focusing on speed, seat belt use, driver distraction, and impaired driving.

• Traffic Safety Advisory Council: Provides $2,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety under the purview of the commissioner of public safety for traffic safety activities, projects, and securing federal grant matches.

• Training for Law Enforcement: Allocates $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 for grants to local governments for training peace officers in traffic safety enforcement.

• Safe and Sober Rides: Grants $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 to support local government programs that provide safe transportation options for patrons of hospitality and entertainment venues.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill introduces new funding and targeted programs specifically aimed at enhancing road safety in various contexts, including work zones, rural roads, and entertainment venues, while providing resources for law enforcement training and enforcement actions.

Relevant Terms

work zone safety, safe road zones, rural high-risk roads, traffic safety, law enforcement training, safe ride programs, traffic safety advisory council, impaired driving enforcement, speed reduction, intersection safety, trunk highway fund, general fund, peace officer training.