HF 1822

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/12/2015 02:07pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; prohibiting use of public funds for certain aesthetic
enhancements in road projects; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section
160.13.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 160.13, is amended to read:

160.13 LIGHTING AND MARKING HIGHWAYS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin General authority. new text end

Road authorities may light or mark highways
and appurtenances thereon and may install other safety devices as they deem necessary in
the interests of safety and convenient public travel.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibition on aesthetic enhancements. new text end

new text begin (a) No road authority, including
a statutory or home rule charter city with respect to city streets, may use public funds for
any aesthetic enhancements that increase the cost of a project on a highway or bridge.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) "aesthetic enhancements" includes monuments, markers, memorials, sculptures,
statues, decorative fixtures, alternative materials, specialty signage, and other treatments
designed to impact the perceived beauty or visual appeal of the infrastructure; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "public funds" includes but is not limited to funding from federal, state, and
local sources.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment,
and applies to any project for which a contract has not been entered into or let for bidding
on or after that date.
new text end