SF5306

Purpose

• The bill would authorize the state to fund grants for radar infrastructure to improve surveillance of airspace and waterways. The grants would be given by the Department of Transportation (in consultation with the Department of Public Safety) to political subdivisions of Minnesota, including airport authorities and airport commissions. The goal is to help acquire, design, construct, and install mobile radar equipment to monitor low-altitude airspace and navigable waters, detect intruding aircraft and vessels, assist with drone traffic management and emergency response, and improve collision and obstruction avoidance for publicly owned airports and public waters.

Main Provisions

• Grants for radar projects
  • Funding for procurement and installation of radar sensors capable of detecting and tracking small, low radar cross-section targets, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and vessels in Minnesota’s airspace and waterways.
  • Construction of radar towers or acquisition/leasing of temporary/mobile towers, shelters, and power infrastructure.
  • Installation of communications networks (fiber optic lines or secure wireless links) to support real-time remote display, alerting, and control.
  • Integration with existing surveillance and air traffic systems, including automatic identification system (AIS) and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data.
  • Installation of ancillary equipment such as cameras, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) devices, and other sensors to create consolidated situational awareness.
  • Site acquisition and improvements for radar installations (grading, foundations, access roads).
• Training and technical support
  • Grants may also cover training and technical support needed to commission and operate the projects.

Appropriation and Timeline

• Funding and availability
  • In fiscal year 2027, an appropriation from the general fund would be made to the Commissioner of Transportation for the purposes of this section.
  • The appropriation would be available through June 30, 2029.

Significant Changes and Implications

• New statewide grant program
  • Establishes a new capital investment grant program focused on radar infrastructure for airspace and waterways surveillance, drone management, and emergency response.
  • Requires collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety.
• Scope of projects
  • Expands capabilities for monitoring low-altitude airspace and maritime spaces, potentially improving safety, security, and traffic management around publicly owned airports and waters.

Summary of Impact

• This bill would enable local jurisdictions to obtain funds to build and enhance radar-based surveillance networks, integrate them with existing systems, and support related communications, sensing, and training to improve safety and management of airspace, drone activity, and waterways.

Relevant Terms - radar infrastructure - grants - political subdivisions - airport authorities - airport commissions - airspace - navigable waterways - intruding aircraft - vessels - unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) - AIS (automatic identification system) - ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) - radar sensors - small low radar cross section targets - radar towers - temporary/mobile towers - shelters - power infrastructure - fiber optic lines - secure wireless links - real-time remote display - alerting and control - cameras - forward-looking infrared (FLIR) - situational awareness - site acquisition - grading - foundations - access roads - training and technical support - general fund - appropriation - Commissioner of Transportation - Department of Public Safety - emergency response - drone traffic management - collision and obstruction avoidance