<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>of light rail or commuter rail transit near the Interstate Highway 394 Corridor <br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>and the feasibility of integrating the corridor with other region transit ways; <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>appropriating money.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>    Section 1. <b>APPROPRIATION FOR STUDY.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>Appropriation.</b> $500,000 is appropriated from the general fund <br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>to the Metropolitan Council to work in partnership with the Center for Transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>Studies and the Center for Changing Landscapes for the purpose of conducting a study <br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>and preparing a report, and is available through December 15, 2007.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Rail transit feasibility study.</b> The Center for Changing Landscapes <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>shall conduct a study of the feasibility of the use of light rail or commuter rail transit <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>in a corridor to be designated within an area between a line two miles to the south of <br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>marked Interstate Highway 394 and marked Trunk Highway 55 extending from downtown <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>Minneapolis to Ridgedale Drive in Minnetonka, with the alternative of extending to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>Wayzata. The study must include consideration of the feasibility of integrating the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>proposed rail transit corridor with other existing and proposed transit ways in the region.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>    Subd. 3. <b>Elements of feasibility study.</b> The rail transit feasibility study must <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>include, without limitation:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>    (1) an identification of major operational characteristics of light rail and commuter <br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>rail transit in the corridor;<br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>    (2) a quantification of capital and operating costs;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>    (3) an evaluation of the interface of a rail transit system with other transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>systems in the corridor;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>    (4) an evaluation of the impact of a rail transit system on land use and urban <br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>development;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>    (5) an estimate of the cost and impact of necessary associated exercise of eminent <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>domain;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>    (6) an evaluation of the impact of a rail transit system on energy and the environment;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>    (7) an estimate of ridership potential;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>    (8) a cost-benefit analysis that compares the total cost of the project with the benefits <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>of a rail transit line, to its users, other users of the highway, and adjacent property owners;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>    (9) an identification of potential sources of federal, state, local, private, and other <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>funds;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>    (10) an identification of the conditions necessary for rail transit to be feasible in <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>the Interstate Highway 394 Corridor; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>    (11) an evaluation of the feasibility of integrating the proposed rail transit corridor <br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>with other existing and proposed transit ways in the region.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>    Subd. 4. <b>Report.</b> The Center for Changing Landscapes and the Center for <br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>Transportation Studies, in partnership with the Metropolitan Council, shall prepare <br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>a written report of this study and submit it no later than December 15, 2007, to the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>legislature, in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 3.195 and 3.197, and to <br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives <br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>committees with jurisdiction over transportation.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>    Sec. 2. <b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>    This act is effective the day following final enactment.<br/>