HF 1159

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:44am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring commissioner to analyze Rochester to Twin
Cities high-speed rail corridor in statewide rail plan; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2008, section 174.03, subdivision 1b.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.03, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Statewide freight and passenger rail plan.

(a) The commissioner
shall develop a comprehensive statewide freight and passenger rail plan to be included
and revised as a part of the statewide transportation plan.

(b) new text begin The plan must include an analysis of a Rochester corridor for a high-speed rail
line from Chicago to Minneapolis-St. Paul, including an evaluation of all factors that
would be required for a complete alternatives analysis comparing a Rochester corridor
with other proposed routes.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end Before the initial version of the plan is adopted, the commissioner shall provide a
copy for review and comment to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate
and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and
finance. Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner may adopt the next revision
of the statewide transportation plan, scheduled to be completed in calendar year 2009,
prior to completion of the initial version of the comprehensive statewide freight and
passenger rail plan.