HF 2536

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/17/2021 01:34pm

A bill for an act
relating to transit; requiring contingent termination of Northstar Commuter Rail
and reallocation of certain funds; canceling certain appropriations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin NORTHSTAR COMMUTER RAIL TERMINATION; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Council" means the Metropolitan Council.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Northstar" means the Northstar Commuter Rail line that is operated by the council
to provide rail passenger service between downtown Minneapolis and Big Lake, and includes
any subsequent rail project or service that operates wholly or primarily in the same corridor.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Federal waiver. new text end

new text begin The council must immediately seek a federal waiver or similar
release of all obligations for payment to the United States Department of Transportation
related to the termination of Northstar.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Contingent termination. new text end

new text begin If the council obtains a waiver or release of federal
payment obligations as provided in subdivision 2:
new text end

new text begin (1) the council must decommission and permanently terminate all services related to
Northstar, including stopping all passenger service, closing all stations, and ending law
enforcement services provided by the Metropolitan Transit Police along the route;
new text end

new text begin (2) the commissioner and the council must terminate all memorandums of understanding,
joint powers agreements, contracts, or any other agreement entered into with any public or
private entity pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 174.82 and 473.4057, for the planning,
development, construction, operation, or maintenance of Northstar to the fullest extent
permissible without a breach under the agreements;
new text end

new text begin (3) pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 473.4057, subdivision 5, the commissioner
must immediately terminate any lease, license, assignment, right of access, or other agreement
provided to the council to develop, operate, and maintain Northstar;
new text end

new text begin (4) the council must convey ownership in any real or personal property related to
Northstar that was previously owned and conveyed by the commissioner or Department of
Transportation under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.4057, subdivision 5, back to the
commissioner; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the council and the commissioner must sell or otherwise dispose of all assets related
to Northstar, including but not limited to equipment, supplies, materials, rolling stock,
facilities, improvements, personal property, and real property, which must be conducted
pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.2975.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Appropriation cancellation. new text end

new text begin Any unspent funds remaining from the fiscal
year 2020 general fund appropriation under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 3,
article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), for the project to extend Northstar are
canceled to the general fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Deposit of available funds. new text end

new text begin On or before June 30, 2029, the commissioner and
the council must deposit the following in the general fund:
new text end

new text begin (1) any revenue received under subdivision 3; and
new text end

new text begin (2) if the council obtains a waiver or release of federal payment obligations as provided
in subdivision 2, the amount of general fund appropriations to the council and the
commissioner that would otherwise be anticipated to be expended for Northstar in that fiscal
year, absent the requirements of this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end