HF 2259

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/27/2023 03:06pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; facilitating safe travel on County State-Aid Highway
113 in Murray County.

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

Section 1. new text begin FACILITATING SAFE TRAVEL ON COUNTY STATE-AID HIGHWAY
113 IN MURRAY COUNTY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
commissioner of natural resources must do all of the following to ensure that the portion
of County State-Aid Highway 113 in Murray County that extends over Lake Shetek between
170th Avenue and Lakeview Drive can be widened to a sufficient width to ensure traveler
safety:
new text end

new text begin (1) issue any permits applied for by the county as part of a project to widen the highway;
and
new text end

new text begin (2) convey to the county any right-of-way, easement, or other interest in real property
administered by the Department of Natural Resources that is necessary to facilitate the
widening.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Sufficient width. new text end

new text begin For purposes of subdivision 1, "sufficient width to ensure
traveler safety" means a width of at least 70 feet, including room for two lanes of vehicular
traffic, a shoulder on each side, and a shared-use path on each side to safely accommodate
bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Any riprap needed to ensure the structural integrity
of the widened highway must be in addition to the 70-foot width required by this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of natural resources must immediately report
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources the
denial of any permit or other request made by Murray County in connection with the
widening described in this section. A report under this subdivision must explain the reason
for the denial, including the statute or rule that prohibits the commissioner from granting
the permit or other request. A policy decision by the Department of Natural Resources that
the lake is more important than protecting the lives of travelers on the highway does not
constitute a sufficient explanation for a decision to deny a permit under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day after the governing body of
Murray County and its chief clerical officer comply with the requirements of Minnesota
Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end