1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to transportation; appropriating money for 
  1.3             state road construction, public transit, and other 
  1.4             purposes; establishing an intergovernmental 
  1.5             cooperative facilities loan fund; establishing a major 
  1.6             transportation projects commission; restricting 
  1.7             expenditures for commuter rail and light rail transit; 
  1.8             canceling bonding authorization for light rail 
  1.9             transit; directing a study of freeway ramp meters in 
  1.10            the metropolitan area; providing for a grant to the 
  1.11            University of Minnesota for design and engineering of 
  1.12            personal rapid transit; directing a study of 
  1.13            high-occupancy vehicle lane use by certain vehicles; 
  1.14            providing for approval of and payment under 
  1.15            supplemental goods or services agreements of the 
  1.16            commissioner of transportation; authorizing suspension 
  1.17            of motor vehicle registration when tax is paid by 
  1.18            dishonored check; exempting dealers in firefighting 
  1.19            equipment from motor vehicle dealer licensing; 
  1.20            providing for commuter rail plan dispute resolution; 
  1.21            providing for inspection of vehicles of motor 
  1.22            carriers; requiring the budget for light rail transit 
  1.23            to include cost of utility relocation; requiring a 
  1.24            municipality to issue permits for a specific business 
  1.25            or use that uses river transportation as a major mode 
  1.26            of transportation once a special permit has been 
  1.27            issued and an environmental assessment worksheet has 
  1.28            been completed; expanding eligibility for replacement 
  1.29            transit service program; requiring a report on metro 
  1.30            mobility; establishing working group to assess impact 
  1.31            of DM&E rail line project; requiring study and 
  1.32            legislative report on statewide public safety radio 
  1.33            system; clarifying a definition of state license and 
  1.34            service fees; sunsetting a department fee and an 
  1.35            account; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 
  1.36            16A.6701, subdivision 1; 161.32, by adding a 
  1.37            subdivision; 168.27, subdivision 8; 168A.29, 
  1.38            subdivision 1; 169.781, by adding a subdivision; 
  1.39            174.35; 216B.16, by adding a subdivision; 221.131, 
  1.40            subdivision 4; 221.132; and 473.388, subdivision 2; 
  1.41            Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, sections 168.17; 
  1.42            174.88; 174.86, subdivision 2, and by adding a 
  1.43            subdivision; and 221.0252, subdivision 7; proposing 
  1.44            coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 
  1.45            161; 174; and 462; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1998, 
  1.46            section 299A.70. 
  2.1   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  2.2                              ARTICLE 1 
  2.3                        TRANSPORTATION FINANCE 
  2.4      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 16A.6701, 
  2.5   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  2.6      Subdivision 1.  [STATE LICENSE AND SERVICE FEES.] For 
  2.7   purposes of section 16A.67, subdivision 3, and this section, the 
  2.8   term "state license and service fees" means, and refers to, all 
  2.9   license fees, service fees, and charges imposed by law and 
  2.10  collected by any state officer, agency, or employee, which are 
  2.11  listed below or which are defined as departmental earnings under 
  2.12  section 16A.1285, subdivision 1, and the use of which is not 
  2.13  otherwise restricted by law, and which are not required to be 
  2.14  credited or transferred to a fund other than the general fund:  
  2.15     Minnesota Statutes 1994, sections 3.9221; 5.12; 5.14; 5.16; 
  2.16  5A.04; 6.58; 13.03, subdivision 10; 16A.155; 16A.48; 16A.54; 
  2.17  16A.72; 16B.59; 16B.70; 17A.04; 18.51, subdivision 2; 18.53; 
  2.18  18.54; 18C.551; 19.58; 19.64; 27.041, subdivision 2, clauses (d) 
  2.19  and (e); 27.07, subdivision 5; 28A.08; 32.071; 32.075; 32.392; 
  2.20  35.71; 35.824; 35.95; 41C.12; 45.027, subdivisions 3 and 6; 
  2.21  46.041, subdivision 1; 46.131, subdivisions 2, 7, 8, 9, and 10; 
  2.22  47.101, subdivision 2; 47.54, subdivisions 1 and 4; 47.62, 
  2.23  subdivision 4; 47.65; 48.61, subdivision 7; 48.93; 48A.16; 
  2.24  49.36, subdivision 1; 52.01; 52.203; 53.03, subdivisions 1, 5, 
  2.25  and 6; 53.09, subdivision 1; 53A.03; 53A.05, subdivision 1; 
  2.26  53A.081, subdivision 3; 54.294, subdivision 1; 55.04, 
  2.27  subdivision 2; 55.095; 56.02; 56.04; 56.10; 59A.03, subdivision 
  2.28  2; 59A.06, subdivision 3; 60A.14, subdivisions 1 and 2; 60A.23, 
  2.29  subdivision 8; 60K.19, subdivision 5; 65B.48, subdivision 3; 
  2.30  70A.14, subdivision 4; 72B.04, subdivision 10; 79.251, 
  2.31  subdivision 5; 80A.28, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7a, 8, 
  2.32  and 9; 80C.04, subdivision 1; 80C.07; 80C.08, subdivision 1; 
  2.33  80C.16, subdivisions 2 and 3; 80C.18, subdivision 2; 82.20, 
  2.34  subdivision 8 and 9; 82A.04, subdivision 1; 82A.08, subdivision 
  2.35  2; 82A.16, subdivisions 2 and 6; 82B.09, subdivision 1; 83.23, 
  2.36  subdivisions 2, 3, and 4; 83.25, subdivisions 1 and 2; 83.26, 
  3.1   subdivision 2; 83.30, subdivision 2; 83.31, subdivision 2; 
  3.2   83.38, subdivision 2; 85.052; 85.053; 85.055; 88.79, subdivision 
  3.3   2; 89.035; 89.21; 115.073; 115.77, subdivisions 1 and 2; 116.41, 
  3.4   subdivision 2; 116C.69; 116C.712; 116J.9673; 125.08; 136C.04, 
  3.5   subdivision 9; 155A.045; 155A.16; 168.27, subdivision 11; 
  3.6   168.33, subdivisions 3 and 7; 168.54; 168.67; 168.705; 168A.152; 
  3.7   168A.29, paragraph (a); 169.345; 171.06, subdivision 2a; 171.29, 
  3.8   subdivision 2; 176.102; 176.1351; 176.181, subdivision 2a; 
  3.9   177.30; 181A.12; 183.545; 183.57; 184.28; 184.29; 184A.09; 
  3.10  201.091, subdivision 5; 204B.11; 207A.02; 214.06; 216C.261; 
  3.11  221.0355; 239.101; 240.06; 240.07; 240.08; 240.09; 240.10; 
  3.12  246.51; 270.69, subdivision 2; 270A.07; 272.484; 296A.03; 
  3.13  296A.04; 296A.27; 297F.03; 297.33; 299C.46; 299C.62; 299K.09; 
  3.14  299K.095; 299L.07; 299M.04; 300.49; 318.02; 323.44, subdivision 
  3.15  3; 325D.415; 326.22; 326.3331; 326.47; 326.50; 326.92, 
  3.16  subdivisions 1 and 3; 327.33; 331A.02; 332.15, subdivisions 2 
  3.17  and 3; 332.17; 332.22, subdivision 1; 332.33, subdivisions 3 and 
  3.18  4; 332.54, subdivision 7; 333.055; 333.20; 333.23; 336.9-413; 
  3.19  336A.04; 336A.05; 336A.09; 345.35; 345.43, subdivision 2a; 
  3.20  345.44; 345.55, subdivision 3; 347.33; 349.151; 349.161; 
  3.21  349.162; 349.163; 349.164; 349.165; 349.166; 349.167; 357.08; 
  3.22  359.01, subdivision 3; 360.018; 360.63; 386.68; and 414.01, 
  3.23  subdivision 11; Minnesota Statutes 1994, chapters 154; 216B; 
  3.24  237; 302A; 303; 308A; 317A; 322A; and 322B; Laws 1990, chapter 
  3.25  593; Laws 1993, chapter 254, section 7; and Laws 1994, chapter 
  3.26  573, section 4; Minnesota Rules, parts 1800.0500; 1950.1070; 
  3.27  2100.9300; 7515.0210; and 9545.2000 to 9545.2040. 
  3.28     Sec. 2.  [161.086] [INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE 
  3.29  FACILITIES REVOLVING LOAN FUND.] 
  3.30     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] An intergovernmental 
  3.31  cooperative facilities revolving loan fund is created in the 
  3.32  state treasury.  The fund consists of all money appropriated or 
  3.33  transferred to the fund and all money received by the 
  3.34  commissioner from repayment of loans made under this section.  
  3.35  Money in the fund is appropriated to the commissioner for the 
  3.36  purpose of subdivision 2. 
  4.1      Subd. 2.  [LOANS.] The commissioner shall use money in the 
  4.2   intergovernmental cooperative facilities revolving loan fund for 
  4.3   loans to local road authorities for their share of costs 
  4.4   relating to the construction of highway maintenance facilities 
  4.5   to be shared between the commissioner and local road authorities.
  4.6      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 168A.29, 
  4.7   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  4.8      Subdivision 1.  [AMOUNTS.] (a) The department shall be paid 
  4.9   the following fees: 
  4.10     (1) for filing an application for and the issuance of an 
  4.11  original certificate of title, the sum of $2; 
  4.12     (2) for each security interest when first noted upon a 
  4.13  certificate of title, including the concurrent notation of any 
  4.14  assignment thereof and its subsequent release or satisfaction, 
  4.15  the sum of $2, except that no fee is due for a security interest 
  4.16  filed by a public authority under section 168A.05, subdivision 
  4.17  8; 
  4.18     (3) for the transfer of the interest of an owner and the 
  4.19  issuance of a new certificate of title, the sum of $2; 
  4.20     (4) for each assignment of a security interest when first 
  4.21  noted on a certificate of title, unless noted concurrently with 
  4.22  the security interest, the sum of $1; 
  4.23     (5) for issuing a duplicate certificate of title, the sum 
  4.24  of $4.  
  4.25     (b) After June 30, 1994 Until July 1, 2001, in addition to 
  4.26  each of the fees required under paragraph (a), clauses (1) and 
  4.27  (3), the department shall be paid $3.50. 
  4.28     The additional fee collected under this paragraph must be 
  4.29  deposited in the special revenue fund and credited to the public 
  4.30  safety motor vehicle account established in section 299A.70. 
  4.31     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 174.35, is 
  4.32  amended to read: 
  4.33     174.35 [LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT.] 
  4.34     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORIZATION.] The commissioner of 
  4.35  transportation may exercise the powers granted in this chapter 
  4.36  and chapter 473, as necessary, to plan, design, acquire, 
  5.1   construct, and equip light rail transit facilities in the 
  5.2   metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2. 
  5.3      Subd. 2.  [PROHIBITION.] The commissioner shall not spend 
  5.4   any money appropriated from the trunk highway fund for (1) any 
  5.5   of the activities described in subdivision 1, (2) the 
  5.6   acquisition of real property to the extent that the real 
  5.7   property will be used exclusively or primarily for light rail 
  5.8   transit, or (3) the rerouting of any highway, or the 
  5.9   construction or reconstruction of highway overpasses, to the 
  5.10  extent that the rerouting, construction, or reconstruction is 
  5.11  necessitated exclusively or primarily by the construction of 
  5.12  light rail transit. 
  5.13     Sec. 5.  [174.55] [MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS 
  5.14  COMMISSION.] 
  5.15     Subdivision 1.  [CREATION AND PURPOSE.] A major 
  5.16  transportation projects commission is created to set priorities 
  5.17  among proposed major transportation projects in which the 
  5.18  department of transportation is involved and report these 
  5.19  priorities to the governor and to the legislature. 
  5.20     Subd. 2.  [COMPOSITION.] The major transportation projects 
  5.21  commission is composed of the governor; three citizen members 
  5.22  appointed by the governor and serving at the pleasure of the 
  5.23  governor; five senators appointed by the subcommittee on 
  5.24  committees of the committee on rules and administration, two of 
  5.25  whom must not be members of the senate majority party; and five 
  5.26  members of the house of representatives appointed by the 
  5.27  speaker, two of whom must not be members of the house majority 
  5.28  party.  The commissioner of transportation shall serve as a 
  5.29  nonvoting member.  The commission shall elect a chair from among 
  5.30  its members.  Nongovernment members of the commission shall 
  5.31  receive compensation in accordance with section 15.059, 
  5.32  subdivision 3. 
  5.33     Subd. 3.  [DUTIES.] The major transportation projects 
  5.34  commission shall review reports submitted under subdivision 4.  
  5.35  The commission shall recommend approval, approval with 
  5.36  modifications, or disapproval of each project included in the 
  6.1   reports of the commissioner of transportation and shall 
  6.2   enumerate approved major transportation projects in 
  6.3   chronological order of priority.  The commission shall submit a 
  6.4   major transportation projects program to the governor or 
  6.5   governor-elect, the legislature, and the transportation 
  6.6   committees of the house of representatives and the senate no 
  6.7   later than September 30 of each year. 
  6.8      Subd. 4.  [COMMISSIONER REPORT.] The commissioner of 
  6.9   transportation shall report to the commission not later than 
  6.10  July 15 of each year.  The report must consist of a listing of 
  6.11  candidate projects for enumeration that meet the criteria of 
  6.12  major transportation projects within the definition in 
  6.13  subdivision 5, and a listing of proposed projects for study that 
  6.14  the commissioner believes have the potential of being major 
  6.15  transportation projects but do not have draft environmental 
  6.16  impact statements. 
  6.17     Subd. 5.  [MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECT.] A major 
  6.18  transportation project is a project that meets each of the 
  6.19  following criteria: 
  6.20     (1) involves the department of transportation; 
  6.21     (2) has a total cost of more than $5,000,000; 
  6.22     (3) is a critical element of the transportation system of 
  6.23  its region and the state; and 
  6.24     (4) has a completed draft environmental impact statement. 
  6.25     Subd. 6.  [CONSTRUCTION OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.] The 
  6.26  department may not construct a major transportation project 
  6.27  without first submitting the project to the major transportation 
  6.28  projects commission and receiving specific legislative 
  6.29  authorization.  Legislative authorization for the construction 
  6.30  of major transportation projects may not include any projects 
  6.31  that have not been recommended in a report of the major 
  6.32  transportation projects commission.  Within any six-year period, 
  6.33  the department may not construct a transportation project 
  6.34  consisting of separate contiguous projects that do not 
  6.35  individually qualify as major transportation projects, but which 
  6.36  in their entirety would constitute a major transportation 
  7.1   project, without first submitting the project to the major 
  7.2   transportation projects commission for its recommendations and 
  7.3   report and without specific legislative authorization. 
  7.4      Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
  7.5   174.88, is amended to read: 
  7.6      174.88 [COMMUTER RAIL FUNDING.] 
  7.7      Subdivision 1.  [FEDERAL FUND APPLICATIONS.] The 
  7.8   commissioner, in cooperation with appropriate metropolitan 
  7.9   planning organizations, may apply for funding from federal, 
  7.10  state, regional, local, and private sources for commuter rail 
  7.11  facility construction, operation, implementation, maintenance, 
  7.12  and improvement. 
  7.13     Subd. 2.  [EXPENDITURE OF STATE FUNDS.] The commissioner 
  7.14  shall not spend any state funds for the planning, design, 
  7.15  engineering, right-of-way acquisition, or construction of 
  7.16  commuter rail facilities unless the funds have been appropriated 
  7.17  by law specifically for those purposes. 
  7.18     Sec. 7.  [APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZATION CANCELED.] 
  7.19     (a) The unspent and unencumbered part of the appropriation 
  7.20  for the Hiawatha light rail transit corridor in Laws 1998, 
  7.21  chapter 404, section 17, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), as 
  7.22  reappropriated in Laws 1999, chapter 240, article 2, section 9, 
  7.23  subdivision 3; and the unspent and unencumbered part of the 
  7.24  appropriation in Laws 1999, chapter 240, article 1, section 9, 
  7.25  subdivision 5, are canceled.  
  7.26     (b) The bond sale authorizations for the appropriations for 
  7.27  which cancellations are made in paragraph (a) are reduced by the 
  7.28  amount of those cancellations. 
  7.29     (c) The transfer from the general fund to the state bond 
  7.30  fund authorized in Laws 1999, chapter 240, article 2, section 
  7.31  12, and amended by any subsequent laws is reduced by $4,150,000 
  7.32  to reflect the cancellation of bonds according to this section. 
  7.33     Sec. 8.  [COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION; STATE ROAD 
  7.34  CONSTRUCTION.] 
  7.35     Subdivision 1.  [GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION.] $327,000,000 
  7.36  is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of 
  8.1   transportation for state road construction. 
  8.2      Subd. 2.  [TRUNK HIGHWAY FUND APPROPRIATION.] $75,000,000 
  8.3   is appropriated from the trunk highway fund to the commissioner 
  8.4   of transportation for state road construction. 
  8.5      Subd. 3.  [PURPOSES.] (a) The commissioner of 
  8.6   transportation shall spend the amounts appropriated under 
  8.7   subdivisions 1 and 2 for construction and reconstruction of 
  8.8   state trunk highways, including preliminary engineering, 
  8.9   acquisition of right-of-way, and construction support. 
  8.10     (b) Of the appropriations under this section: 
  8.11     (1) $201,000,000 is for state trunk highway improvements 
  8.12  within the seven-county metropolitan area primarily for the 
  8.13  purpose of improving traffic flow and expanding highway capacity 
  8.14  by eliminating traffic bottlenecks; and 
  8.15     (2) $201,000,000 is for improvements on state trunk 
  8.16  highways outside the seven-county metropolitan area that the 
  8.17  commissioner designates as at-risk interregional corridors. 
  8.18     (c) Of the appropriations under this section, the 
  8.19  commissioner may not spend more than $77,000,000 for 
  8.20  construction support. 
  8.21     (d) The commissioner may not spend any part of this 
  8.22  appropriation to construct any lanes on a freeway or expressway 
  8.23  within the seven-county metropolitan area that are reserved 
  8.24  exclusively for high-occupancy vehicles, or to convert any 
  8.25  existing mixed-use lanes on such a freeway or expressway 
  8.26  exclusively for use by high-occupancy vehicles. 
  8.27     (e) The commissioner may not reduce the amount of state 
  8.28  funds allocated to a project in the commissioner's statewide 
  8.29  transportation improvement program in any fiscal year if the 
  8.30  project is financed in whole or in part in that fiscal year from 
  8.31  the money appropriated under this section. 
  8.32     (f) The appropriation under this section is available 
  8.33  through June 30, 2003.  On July 1, 2003, any part of this 
  8.34  appropriation not spent cancels to the trunk highway fund.  The 
  8.35  commissioner shall report by February 1, 2003, to the chairs of 
  8.36  the senate and house of representatives committees having 
  9.1   jurisdiction over transportation policy and transportation 
  9.2   finance on any projects that the department of transportation 
  9.3   has scheduled to be constructed with this appropriation that the 
  9.4   commissioner determines will be canceled or delayed as a result 
  9.5   of any part of this appropriation canceling to the trunk highway 
  9.6   fund.  For purposes of this paragraph, money encumbered by the 
  9.7   commissioner for a trunk highway project is considered to be 
  9.8   spent. 
  9.9      Subd. 4.  [CHANGES IN FUND ALLOCATION.] The commissioner 
  9.10  shall report to the chairs of the senate and house of 
  9.11  representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation 
  9.12  policy and finance each time the commissioner changes the 
  9.13  allocation of state or federal funds in the commissioner's 
  9.14  statewide transportation improvement program or six-year highway 
  9.15  work plan for a project that is financed in whole or in part 
  9.16  from the money appropriated under this section. 
  9.17     Subd. 5.  [REPORT ON PROJECTS.] The commissioner shall by 
  9.18  August 1 of each calendar year from 2000 to 2002 report to the 
  9.19  chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees 
  9.20  with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance on the 
  9.21  status of each project that is financed in whole or in part from 
  9.22  the money appropriated under this section.  For each such 
  9.23  project the report must identify: 
  9.24     (1) the estimated full cost; 
  9.25     (2) a schedule for completion; 
  9.26     (3) the current status of right-of-way acquisition and 
  9.27  environmental review; and 
  9.28     (4) the project's status in the commissioner's current 
  9.29  statewide transportation improvement program. 
  9.30     Sec. 9.  [MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS COMMISSION; 
  9.31  APPROPRIATION.] 
  9.32     $5,000 is appropriated from the trunk highway fund to the 
  9.33  commissioner of transportation for fiscal year 2001 for 
  9.34  department costs relating to the major transportation projects 
  9.35  commission, including payment of expenses and compensation to 
  9.36  nonlegislative members. 
 10.1      Sec. 10.  [PUBLIC TRANSIT APPROPRIATIONS.] 
 10.2      Subdivision 1.  [METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.] $3,700,000 is 
 10.3   appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2001 to the 
 10.4   metropolitan council for fiscal year 2001 for transit operations 
 10.5   in the metropolitan area.  This appropriation adds to the budget 
 10.6   base for the 2002-2003 biennium. 
 10.7      Subd. 2.  [COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION.] $450,000 is 
 10.8   appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2001 to the 
 10.9   commissioner of transportation for grants to public transit 
 10.10  systems under Minnesota Statutes, section 174.24.  This 
 10.11  appropriation adds to the budget base for the 2002-2003 biennium.
 10.12     Sec. 11.  [INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE FACILITIES 
 10.13  REVOLVING LOAN FUND; TRANSFER.] 
 10.14     $2,500,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
 10.15  commissioner of finance for transfer by the commissioner to the 
 10.16  intergovernmental cooperative facilities revolving loan fund. 
 10.17     Sec. 12.  [COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE; TRANSPORTATION 
 10.18  REVOLVING LOAN FUND.] 
 10.19     $20,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
 10.20  commissioner of finance for transfer by the commissioner to the 
 10.21  highway account in the transportation revolving loan fund. 
 10.22     Sec. 13.  [APPROPRIATIONS FOR PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT 
 10.23  SYSTEMS.] 
 10.24     (a) For purposes of this section, "personal rapid transit" 
 10.25  means generally a transportation system of small, 
 10.26  computer-controlled vehicles, each transporting one to three 
 10.27  passengers on elevated guideways in a transportation network and 
 10.28  operating on demand and nonstop direct to any station in the 
 10.29  network. 
 10.30     (b) $500,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
 10.31  University of Minnesota for a grant for engineering and design 
 10.32  of a personal rapid transit system. 
 10.33     (c) This appropriation is available through June 30, 2002. 
 10.34     Sec. 14.  [COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION; RAMP METER 
 10.35  STUDY.] 
 10.36     (a) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, the 
 11.1   commissioner shall order that all meters on access ramps to a 
 11.2   freeway or expressway, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
 11.3   160.02, display flashing yellow lights for a period to be 
 11.4   determined by the consultant with whom the commissioner 
 11.5   contracts to perform the study required under paragraph (b). 
 11.6      This section does not prohibit temporary closure or other 
 11.7   traffic flow restrictions of access ramps to a freeway or 
 11.8   expressway in the interests of public safety. 
 11.9      (b) The commissioner shall study and report to the 
 11.10  legislature by February 1, 2001, the traffic flow results on 
 11.11  expressways and freeways for the period of the study.  The 
 11.12  department shall gather and compile any relevant facts, 
 11.13  comparisons, statistics, or other relevant data and report its 
 11.14  findings of fact and conclusions.  The commissioner shall 
 11.15  contract with an independent consultant to perform the study 
 11.16  required by this section. 
 11.17     (c) $400,000 is appropriated from the trunk highway fund to 
 11.18  the commissioner of transportation for the purposes of this 
 11.19  section. 
 11.20     Sec. 15.  [HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANE STUDY.] 
 11.21     (a) The commissioner of transportation shall study the 
 11.22  effects of allowing high-occupancy vehicle lanes on marked 
 11.23  interstate highways Nos. 35-W and 394 by (1) vehicles with a 
 11.24  registered gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds, (2) other 
 11.25  trucks and vans, as defined in section 168.011, subdivisions 10 
 11.26  and 28, not registered as passenger automobiles; and (3) other 
 11.27  categories of vehicles the commissioner deems appropriate for 
 11.28  inclusion in the study.  In conducting the study the 
 11.29  commissioner shall evaluate, among other things, the effects of 
 11.30  allowing such use on: 
 11.31     (1) congestion and the flow of traffic on other lanes of 
 11.32  those highways; 
 11.33     (2) law enforcement and the enforceability of existing and 
 11.34  proposed restrictions on high-occupancy vehicle lanes; 
 11.35     (3) highway safety; 
 11.36     (4) bus transit and car pools; and 
 12.1      (5) the efficiency and economy of goods movement. 
 12.2      (b) The commissioner shall report to the governor and 
 12.3   legislature by February 1, 2001, on the results of the study. 
 12.4      Sec. 16.  [PUBLIC SAFETY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCOUNT ABOLISHED; 
 12.5   APPROPRIATION.] 
 12.6      The public safety motor vehicle fee established under 
 12.7   Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.70, is abolished.  All money 
 12.8   remaining in the public safety motor vehicle account on July 1, 
 12.9   2001, is appropriated to the emergency medical services 
 12.10  regulatory board on that date.  The board shall spend this 
 12.11  appropriation as grants to ambulance services that serve 
 12.12  predominantly rural areas for the purchase of ambulances.  The 
 12.13  board shall provide for eligibility standards and application 
 12.14  procedures for grants under this section.  This appropriation is 
 12.15  available until spent. 
 12.16     Sec. 17.  [REPEALER.] 
 12.17     Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 299A.70, is repealed.  
 12.18     Sec. 18.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 12.19     Section 4 is effective retroactively from February 1, 2000. 
 12.20  Sections 6, 7, 14, and 16 are effective the day following final 
 12.21  enactment.  Sections 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 16 and section 
 12.22  5, subdivisions 1 to 5, are effective July 1, 2000.  Section 5, 
 12.23  subdivision 6, is effective July 1, 2001. 
 12.24                             ARTICLE 2 
 12.25                       TRANSPORTATION POLICY 
 12.26     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 161.32, is 
 12.27  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 12.28     Subd. 7.  [APPROVAL AND PAYMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL 
 12.29  AGREEMENTS.] Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when goods 
 12.30  or services are provided to the commissioner under an agreement 
 12.31  supplemental to a contract for work on a trunk highway, the 
 12.32  commissioner may approve the supplemental agreement.  Payment of 
 12.33  valid state obligations must be made within 30 days of approval 
 12.34  of the supplemental agreement or submission by the contractor of 
 12.35  an invoice indicating completion of work, whichever occurs later.
 12.36     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
 13.1   168.17, is amended to read: 
 13.2      168.17 [SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION.] 
 13.3      (a) All registrations and issue of number plates shall be 
 13.4   subject to amendment, suspension, modification or revocation by 
 13.5   the registrar summarily for any violation of or neglect to 
 13.6   comply with the provisions of this chapter or when the 
 13.7   transferee fails to comply with section 168A.10, subdivision 2, 
 13.8   within 30 days of the date of sale.  
 13.9      (b) The registrar may suspend the registration of a motor 
 13.10  vehicle if the tax on the vehicle was paid by means of a 
 13.11  dishonored check to a deputy motor vehicle registrar.  The 
 13.12  registrar may continue a suspension under this paragraph until 
 13.13  the registrar is informed by the deputy motor vehicle registrar 
 13.14  that the dishonored check has been paid in full. 
 13.15     (c) In any case where the proper registration of a motor 
 13.16  vehicle is dependent upon procuring information entailing such 
 13.17  delay as to unreasonably deprive the owner of the use of the 
 13.18  motor vehicle, the registrar may issue a tax receipt and plates 
 13.19  conditionally.  
 13.20     (d) In any case when revoking a registration for cause, the 
 13.21  registrar shall have authority to demand the return of the 
 13.22  number plates and registration certificates, and, if necessary, 
 13.23  to seize the number plates issued for such registration. 
 13.24     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 168.27, 
 13.25  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
 13.26     Subd. 8.  [EXEMPTIONS.] (1) (a) Salespeople and other 
 13.27  employees of licensed dealers under this section shall are not 
 13.28  be required to obtain individual licenses. 
 13.29     (2) (b) Isolated or occasional sales or leases of new or 
 13.30  used motor vehicles shall be are exempt from the provisions of 
 13.31  this section.  A person who makes only isolated or occasional 
 13.32  sales or leases is not required to be licensed under this 
 13.33  section, is not considered to be in the business of selling or 
 13.34  leasing motor vehicles, and does not qualify to receive dealer 
 13.35  plates under subdivision 16.  "Isolated or occasional sales or 
 13.36  leases" means:  (i) (1) the sale or lease of a motor vehicle 
 14.1   with an actual cash value of $1,000 or less made by a charitable 
 14.2   organization; (ii) (2) the sale, purchase, or lease of not more 
 14.3   than five motor vehicles in a 12-month period, other than 
 14.4   pioneer or classic motor vehicles as defined in section 168.10, 
 14.5   subdivisions 1a and 1b, or (iii) (3) sales by a licensed 
 14.6   auctioneer selling motor vehicles at an auction if, in the 
 14.7   ordinary course of the auctioneer's business, the sale of motor 
 14.8   vehicles is incidental to the sale of other real or personal 
 14.9   property.  For purposes of this subdivision, a charitable 
 14.10  organization means a nonprofit charitable organization that 
 14.11  qualifies for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the 
 14.12  Internal Revenue Code. 
 14.13     (c) A person whose sales of new and used motor vehicles 
 14.14  consist solely of sales to political subdivisions and their 
 14.15  agencies of vehicles used solely as firefighting equipment is 
 14.16  not required to obtain a license under this section.  The person 
 14.17  may apply for and receive in-transit plates under subdivision 17 
 14.18  in the same manner as licensed motor vehicle dealers for the 
 14.19  purpose of allowing firefighting equipment to be transported 
 14.20  from the dealer's source of supply or other place of storage to 
 14.21  the dealer's place of business, to another place of storage, or 
 14.22  directly to the purchaser. 
 14.23     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 169.781, is 
 14.24  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 14.25     Subd. 10.  [EXEMPTION.] This section does not apply to a 
 14.26  vehicle operated by a motor carrier of passengers, as defined in 
 14.27  section 221.011, subdivision 48, if the vehicle has been 
 14.28  inspected under section 221.0252, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), 
 14.29  clause (2), within the previous 12 months. 
 14.30     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
 14.31  174.86, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 14.32     Subd. 2.  [PHYSICAL DESIGN COMPONENT; LOCAL PARTICIPATION.] 
 14.33  At least 30 days before the hearing under subdivision 1, the 
 14.34  commissioner shall submit the physical design component of the 
 14.35  advanced corridor plan to the governing body of each statutory 
 14.36  and home rule charter city, county, and town in which the route 
 15.1   is to be located.  Within 45 days after the hearing under 
 15.2   subdivision 1, the city, county, or town shall review and 
 15.3   comment on the plan.  Within 45 days of the hearing, a city or 
 15.4   town shall approve or disapprove the location and design of the 
 15.5   station physical design component for the route to be located in 
 15.6   the city or town.  A city or town that disapproves shall 
 15.7   describe specific amendments to the plan that, if adopted, would 
 15.8   cause the city or town to withdraw its disapproval.  Failure to 
 15.9   comment in writing within 45 days after the hearing is deemed to 
 15.10  be accepted unless an extension of time is agreed to by the 
 15.11  metropolitan planning organization and the commissioner of 
 15.12  transportation.  If one or more cities disapproves of the 
 15.13  physical design component for the route the commissioner may 
 15.14  adopt the cities' proposed amendments to the physical design 
 15.15  component or may proceed as provided in subdivision 2a. 
 15.16     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
 15.17  174.86, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 15.18     Subd. 2a.  [APPEAL BOARD.] (a) If the governing body of a 
 15.19  city to which a physical design component has been submitted 
 15.20  under subdivision 2, disapproves the physical design component 
 15.21  within the period allowed under subdivision 2, and the 
 15.22  commissioner decides not to adopt the city's proposed amendments 
 15.23  to the physical design component, an appeal board of three 
 15.24  members shall be appointed.  One of the members must be 
 15.25  appointed by the governor and one by the governing body of the 
 15.26  disapproving city.  If more than one city had disapproved the 
 15.27  physical design component the governing body of each such city 
 15.28  shall, jointly by resolution, appoint one member.  The two 
 15.29  members so appointed shall appoint the third member.  If the two 
 15.30  members cannot agree on a third member within 30 days after the 
 15.31  second member has been appointed, the chief justice of the 
 15.32  supreme court shall appoint the third member on application of 
 15.33  the commissioner after five days' notice to the first two 
 15.34  members.  The appeal board shall select a chair from its members.
 15.35     (b) The appeal board shall, on notice to the commissioner 
 15.36  and the affected cities, hold an appeal hearing on the physical 
 16.1   design component as proposed by the commissioner, and alternates 
 16.2   presented by the disapproving city or cities.  The board shall 
 16.3   take into consideration all aspects of the physical design 
 16.4   component of the advanced corridor plan.  After considering all 
 16.5   the evidence in the record, the appeal board shall issue an 
 16.6   order approving the commissioner's proposed physical design 
 16.7   component or one of the alternatives.  The appeal board shall be 
 16.8   limited in its ruling to any previously submitted physical 
 16.9   design component of the commissioner or an alternate presented 
 16.10  by the city or cities in response to the commissioner.  A copy 
 16.11  of the order and a memorandum setting forth the reasons therefor 
 16.12  shall be filed with the secretary of state, and shall be mailed 
 16.13  to the commissioner and each affected city and metropolitan 
 16.14  planning organization.  The commissioner may proceed with 
 16.15  construction of the commuter rail facility only in accordance 
 16.16  with the order of the appeal board. 
 16.17     (c) The investigatory powers, compensation, and payment of 
 16.18  expenses of an appeal board established under this subdivision 
 16.19  shall be as provided for a highway appeal board under section 
 16.20  161.176. 
 16.21     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 216B.16, is 
 16.22  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 16.23     Subd. 17.  [EXPENSE RELATED TO LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT.] The 
 16.24  commissioner of transportation shall include in the department's 
 16.25  budget for total light rail project costs all nonbetterment 
 16.26  costs associated with relocating facilities used for providing 
 16.27  public utility and telephone service that are incurred due to 
 16.28  light rail construction.  Public utilities, telephone companies 
 16.29  as defined in section 237.01, subdivision 2, and 
 16.30  telecommunications companies as defined in section 237.01, 
 16.31  subdivision 6, that are required to relocate those facilities 
 16.32  are entitled to reimbursement from the state for the 
 16.33  nonbetterment costs of the relocation. 
 16.34     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
 16.35  221.0252, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 16.36     Subd. 7.  [EXEMPTIONS FROM REGULATION.] Notwithstanding any 
 17.1   other law, motor carriers of passengers are exempt from sections 
 17.2   221.121; 221.122; 221.123; 221.132; 221.151; 221.161; and 
 17.3   221.171. 
 17.4      Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 221.131, 
 17.5   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 17.6      Subd. 4.  [FLOATER CARD; FEE.] The department may issue to 
 17.7   carriers subject to subdivision 2 or 3 special "floater" 
 17.8   identification cards up to a maximum of five per motor carrier.  
 17.9   Floater cards may be freely transferred between vehicles that 
 17.10  have evidence of being inspected under section 221.0252, 
 17.11  subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2), within the previous 12 
 17.12  months, or have a current Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance 
 17.13  decal, and that are used under short-term leases by the motor 
 17.14  carrier.  The motor carrier shall pay a fee of $100 for each 
 17.15  floater card issued.  
 17.16     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 221.132, is 
 17.17  amended to read: 
 17.18     221.132 [PREPAID TEMPORARY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION CARD.] 
 17.19     For special or extraordinary events, the commissioner may 
 17.20  issue a prepaid temporary vehicle identification card to a 
 17.21  permit or certificate holder subject to section 221.131, 
 17.22  subdivision 2 or 3, for a fee of $5 per card.  The card must be 
 17.23  preprinted by the commissioner with the carrier's name, address, 
 17.24  and permit or certificate number.  The card may be used by the 
 17.25  motor carrier to whom it is issued to identify a vehicle 
 17.26  temporarily added to its fleet, if the vehicle has evidence of 
 17.27  being inspected under section 221.0252, subdivision 3, paragraph 
 17.28  (a), clause (2), within the previous 12 months, or has a current 
 17.29  Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance decal.  The card must be 
 17.30  executed by the motor carrier by dating and signing the card and 
 17.31  describing the vehicle in which it will be carried.  The 
 17.32  identification card is valid for a period of ten days from the 
 17.33  date the motor carrier places on the card when the card is 
 17.34  executed.  The card must be used within one year from the date 
 17.35  of issuance by the commissioner.  The card may not be used if 
 17.36  the permit or certificate is not in full force and effect.  The 
 18.1   card may not be transferred.  The commissioner may not refund 
 18.2   the cost of unused prepaid temporary vehicle identification 
 18.3   cards. 
 18.4      Sec. 11.  [462.3953] [SPECIAL PERMITS; ISSUANCE OF PERMITS 
 18.5   REQUIRED.] 
 18.6      Once a municipality has issued a special permit for the 
 18.7   conduct of a specific business or use for a project subject to 
 18.8   section 116G.151, whether issuance occurs before or after the 
 18.9   effective date of this section, and upon completion of an 
 18.10  environmental assessment worksheet and issuance of a negative 
 18.11  declaration for the business or use, whether completion and 
 18.12  issuance occurs before or after the effective date of this 
 18.13  section, and the specific business uses river transportation as 
 18.14  a major mode of transportation, a municipality shall issue all 
 18.15  permits for the business or use notwithstanding any other 
 18.16  statute, rule, permit or local ordinance, resolution, or 
 18.17  moratorium. 
 18.18     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 473.388, 
 18.19  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 18.20     Subd. 2.  [REPLACEMENT SERVICE; ELIGIBILITY.] The council 
 18.21  may provide assistance under the program to a statutory or home 
 18.22  rule charter city or town or combination thereof, that:  
 18.23     (a) is located in the metropolitan transit taxing district; 
 18.24     (b) is not served by the council bus service or is served 
 18.25  only with council bus routes which begin or end within the 
 18.26  applying city or town or combination thereof; and 
 18.27     (c) has fewer than four scheduled runs of council bus 
 18.28  service during off-peak hours defined in section 473.408, 
 18.29  subdivision 1.  
 18.30     Eligible cities or towns or combinations thereof may apply 
 18.31  on behalf of a transit operator with whom they propose to 
 18.32  contract for service.  
 18.33     The council may not provide assistance under this section 
 18.34  to a statutory or home rule charter city or town unless the city 
 18.35  or town, 
 18.36     (i) was receiving assistance under Minnesota Statutes 1982, 
 19.1   section 174.265 by July 1, 1984, 
 19.2      (ii) had submitted an application for assistance under that 
 19.3   section by July 1, 1984, or 
 19.4      (iii) had submitted a letter of intent to apply for 
 19.5   assistance under that section by July 1, 1984, and submits an 
 19.6   application for assistance under this section by July 1, 1988.  
 19.7   A statutory or home rule charter city or town has an additional 
 19.8   12-month extension if it notified the former regional transit 
 19.9   board before July 1, 1988, that the city or town is in the 
 19.10  process of completing a transportation evaluation study that 
 19.11  includes an assessment of the local transit needs of the city or 
 19.12  town. 
 19.13     Sec. 13.  [REPLACEMENT TRANSIT SERVICE; ELIGIBILITY.] 
 19.14     (a) Notwithstanding the eligibility requirements in 
 19.15  Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, subdivision 2, the city of 
 19.16  Shorewood is eligible for the replacement service program under 
 19.17  Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, if the city first applies 
 19.18  for assistance or exercises the local levy option under 
 19.19  Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, before June 30, 2003. 
 19.20     (b) Notwithstanding the eligibility requirements in 
 19.21  Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, subdivision 2, the city of 
 19.22  Minnetonka is eligible for the replacement service program under 
 19.23  Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, if the city first applies 
 19.24  for assistance or exercises the local levy option under 
 19.25  Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, before June 30, 2003. 
 19.26     Sec. 14.  [REPORT; METRO MOBILITY.] 
 19.27     (a) The metropolitan council shall report to the chairs of 
 19.28  the senate and house of representatives committees having 
 19.29  jurisdiction over transportation policy and transportation 
 19.30  finance on the future of the metro mobility paratransit system.  
 19.31  The report must include options, alternatives, and strategies 
 19.32  for: 
 19.33     (1) increasing the availability of metro mobility service 
 19.34  to meet present and anticipated demand; 
 19.35     (2) integrating metro mobility service into the new and 
 19.36  expanded transit services described in the council's regional 
 20.1   transit master plan; 
 20.2      (3) integration of private taxi services to provide a more 
 20.3   efficient pick up and delivery system, and potential savings 
 20.4   from doing so; and 
 20.5      (4) changes in state or federal law, including, but not 
 20.6   limited to, changes in fare structure and requirements, to 
 20.7   increase effectiveness of the service.  
 20.8      (b) In conducting the study and preparing the report the 
 20.9   council must consult with its transportation accessibility 
 20.10  advisory council. 
 20.11     (c) The council must submit the report by February 1, 2001. 
 20.12     Sec. 15.  [WORKING GROUP.] 
 20.13     The commissioners of transportation, trade and economic 
 20.14  development, public safety, natural resources, and agriculture 
 20.15  shall convene a multiagency workgroup consisting of 
 20.16  representatives of affected state agencies and political 
 20.17  subdivisions to assess the financial, physical, economic, 
 20.18  social, and environmental effects on southern Minnesota of 
 20.19  increased railroad activity within the DM&E railroad corridor.  
 20.20  The commissioners shall report to the legislature and governor 
 20.21  on the workgroup's findings and recommendations by December 1, 
 20.22  2000. 
 20.23     Included in the assessment and recommendations shall be 
 20.24  methods to: 
 20.25     (1) assure appropriate environmental protections are used 
 20.26  to minimize land use, protect wetlands, and mitigate noise or 
 20.27  other environmental impacts; 
 20.28     (2) fully involve local units of government in siting 
 20.29  issues and right-of-way acquisition; 
 20.30     (3) determine what direct and indirect costs are likely to 
 20.31  accrue to local units of government and private property owners; 
 20.32  and 
 20.33     (4) protect shipping interests of Minnesota farmers. 
 20.34     The commissioners shall also report to the legislature and 
 20.35  governor on the project costs to local units of government for 
 20.36  mitigations, right-of-way acquisition, crossing safety, or any 
 21.1   other direct impacts of the expansion. 
 21.2      Sec. 16.  [PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM STUDY.] 
 21.3      Subdivision 1.  [PLANNING COMMITTEE.] The commissioners of 
 21.4   administration, transportation, and public safety shall convene 
 21.5   a planning committee to report to the legislature on a plan for 
 21.6   development of an 800 megahertz statewide shared public safety 
 21.7   radio system.  The planning committee must provide a means for 
 21.8   inclusion of input from representatives of local governments and 
 21.9   major system user groups. 
 21.10     Subd. 2.  [REPORT CONTENTS.] The committee shall review: 
 21.11     (1) current and future needs and capacities of radio 
 21.12  systems in outstate areas; 
 21.13     (2) the potential for implementation of a multi-agency and 
 21.14  multijurisdictional shared radio system; 
 21.15     (3) potential guidelines for governance and system 
 21.16  participation by state and local units of government; and 
 21.17     (4) statutory changes required to implement a statewide 800 
 21.18  megahertz shared public safety radio system. 
 21.19     Subd. 3.  [REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS.] In performing the duties 
 21.20  under this section, the planning committee may consider: 
 21.21     (1) assessment of current uses, needs, and capacities, 
 21.22  including growth and expansion capacities, by each local 
 21.23  government and by each major user group; 
 21.24     (2) estimates of future needs by each local government and 
 21.25  by each major user group; 
 21.26     (3) estimates by each local government and by each major 
 21.27  user group of the anticipated level and timeline for utilizing 
 21.28  the radio system; 
 21.29     (4) analysis of the expected costs of implementing the 
 21.30  radio system; and 
 21.31     (5) proposed funding mechanisms, including options for 
 21.32  allocating costs among local governments and user groups. 
 21.33     Subd. 4.  [PUBLIC MEETINGS.] After completing its duties 
 21.34  under subdivisions 2 and 3, the planning committee shall prepare 
 21.35  a draft report to local governments and major user groups in all 
 21.36  outstate areas.  The draft report must also be made available to 
 22.1   the public.  After preparing and disseminating the draft report 
 22.2   and before presenting the final report to the legislature, the 
 22.3   planning committee shall meet with representatives of local 
 22.4   governments and user groups in each department of public safety 
 22.5   radio communication district to explain the report and seek 
 22.6   comment. 
 22.7      Subd. 5.  [REPORT.] By February 1, 2001, the commissioner 
 22.8   of administration shall report to the legislature on the 
 22.9   findings and recommendations of the planning committee.  The 
 22.10  report must also identify any changes in statutory authority and 
 22.11  funding options necessary to provide for implementation of the 
 22.12  statewide, 800 megahertz, shared, public safety radio system. 
 22.13     Sec. 17.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 22.14     Sections 2 to 11 and 13 to 16 are effective the day 
 22.15  following final enactment.  Section 12 is effective July 1, 2001.