SF 735

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/17/2015 02:50pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; creating a road-user charge working group to study and
report on issues concerning implementation of a road-user charge as an alternative
to motor fuels tax; providing for implementation planning; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin ESTABLISHMENT OF ROAD-USER CHARGE WORKING GROUP.
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new text begin The road-user charge working group is established to study and report to the
legislature concerning issues related to designing and implementing a road-user charge in
this state. The road-user charge working group consists of 15 members, as follows:
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new text begin (1) the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and
senate committees or divisions with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of transportation or a designee; and
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new text begin (3) public members who have relevant expertise and interest, including members or
representatives of transportation user groups; the telecommunications industry; the data
security and privacy industry; privacy rights advocacy groups; and research and policy
making bodies. Of these members, five must be appointed by the speaker of the house,
and five must be appointed by the majority leader of the senate.
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Sec. 2. new text begin DUTIES OF ROAD-USER CHARGE WORKING GROUP.
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new text begin The working group shall identify and consider policy and technical issues related
to funding state transportation infrastructure through implementation of a road-user
charge as an alternative to the motor fuels tax. The working group shall study and
make recommendations concerning cost, privacy, jurisdictional issues, feasibility,
complexity, public acceptance, use of revenues, possible constitutional dedication,
security, compliance, data collection technology that includes privacy and user options,
implementation, and related issues. In considering relevant issues, the working group
shall consult and utilize recommendations and findings contained in, among other sources,
the December 2011 Report of Minnesota's Mileage-Based User Fee Policy Task Force,
prepared by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In
addition, the working group shall seek and facilitate collaboration with other states; review
pilot project and implementation results from other states and countries; and explore
federal funding opportunities.
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Sec. 3. new text begin REPORT OF WORKING GROUP.
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new text begin By January 15, 2017, the working group shall submit a report to the legislature, in
compliance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 3.195 and 3.197. The report must state
findings and recommendations concerning a road-user charge. The report may recommend
the development by the commissioner of transportation of an implementation plan that may:
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new text begin (1) identify a project implementation timeline, which may include pilot programs,
limited initial deployment, multiple fee structure options for road users, and phased
implementation;
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new text begin (2) identify a fee structure, which must include distance traveled and may include
additional factors such as vehicle weight, vehicle impact on roadways, fuel type, and
vehicle type;
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new text begin (3) include a fiscal analysis that identifies costs, revenue projections, and any
associated tax rate changes;
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new text begin (4) establish a technological and operational architecture for the system; and
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new text begin (5) address program and system administration, including but not limited to data
privacy, data integrity, and accuracy of information;
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new text begin (6) be based in surface transportation finance principles, including:
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new text begin (i) efficiency, including impacts on road system use and land use;
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new text begin (ii) equity across road system users and vehicles, including (A) user payment relative
to user costs imposed, and (B) ability to pay;
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new text begin (iii) revenue adequacy and long-term suitability of funding after complete
implementation;
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new text begin (iv) environmental impacts and sustainability;
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new text begin (v) administrative and technical feasibility, including data privacy and protection;
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new text begin (vi) transparency; and
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new text begin (vii) accountability.
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Sec. 4. new text begin ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation or the commissioner's designee shall convene
the initial meeting of the working group no later than September 1, 2015. Upon request
of the working group, the commissioner shall provide meeting space and administrative
services for the group. The members of the working group shall elect a chair or cochairs
from the members of the working group at the initial meeting.
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new text begin (b) Public members of the working group serve without compensation or payment of
expenses.
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new text begin (c) The working group expires May 1, 2017, or upon submission of the report
required under section 3, whichever is earlier.
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new text begin (d) The working group may accept gifts and grants, which are accepted on behalf of
the state and constitute donations to the state. Funds received under this paragraph are
appropriated to the commissioner of transportation for purposes of the working group.
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Sec. 5. new text begin DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENTS AND DESIGNATIONS.
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new text begin The appointments and designations for the road-user charge working group must
be completed by August 1, 2015.
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Sec. 6. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... is appropriated to the Legislative Coordinating Commission from the general
fund for the purposes of the working group established in section 1.
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Sec. 7. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin Sections 1 to 6 are effective July 1, 2015.
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