HF 639

1st Committee Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008)

Posted on 12/22/2009 12:37 p.m.

1.1A bill for an act 1.2relating to transportation; enacting strategic initiative to reduce greenhouse 1.3emissions from motor vehicles by 30 percent by the year 2030; modifying 1.4provisions related to the statewide transportation plan to reflect environmental 1.5impacts; requiring legislative report; appropriating money;amending Minnesota 1.6Statutes 2006, sections 174.01, subdivision 2; 174.02, subdivision 1a; 174.03, 1.7subdivisions 1, 6, by adding a subdivision. 1.8BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.9    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 1.10    Subd. 2. Transportation goals. The goals of the state transportation system are 1.11as follows: 1.12(1) to provide safe transportation for users throughout the state; 1.13(2) to provide multimodal and intermodal transportation that enhances mobility and 1.14economic development and provides access to all persons and businesses in Minnesota 1.15while ensuring that there is no undue burden placed on any community new text begin and the least new text end 1.16 new text begin possible adverse impact on the environment new text end ; 1.17(3) to provide a reasonable travel time for commuters; 1.18(4) to provide for the economical, efficient, and safe movement of goods to and from 1.19markets by rail, highway, and waterway; 1.20(5) to encourage tourism by providing appropriate transportation to Minnesota 1.21facilities designed to attract tourists; 1.22(6) to provide transit services throughout the state to meet the needs of transit users; 1.23(7) to promote productivity new text begin , with the least possible adverse impact on the new text end 1.24 new text begin environment, new text end through system management and the utilization of technological 1.25advancements; 2.1(8) to maximize the new text begin long-term new text end benefits received for each state transportation 2.2investment; 2.3(9) to provide funding for transportation that, at a minimum, preserves the 2.4transportation infrastructure; 2.5(10) to ensure that the planning and implementation of all modes of transportation 2.6are consistent with the environmental and energy goals of the state; 2.7(11) to new text begin promote and new text end increase new text begin the use of new text end high-occupancy vehicle use new text begin vehicles and new text end 2.8 new text begin low-emission vehicles new text end ; 2.9(12) to provide an air transportation system sufficient to encourage economic growth 2.10and allow all regions of the state the ability to participate in the global economy; 2.11(13) to increase transit use in the urban areas new text begin statewide new text end by giving highest priority to 2.12the transportation modes with the greatest people new text begin - new text end moving capacity new text begin and lowest long-term new text end 2.13 new text begin economic and environmental cost new text end ; and 2.14(14) to promote and increase bicycling as an energy-efficient, nonpolluting, and 2.15healthful new text begin form of new text end transportation alternative new text begin ; and new text end 2.16 new text begin (15) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state's transportation sector new text end . 2.17 new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end 2.18    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.02, subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 2.19    Subd. 1a. Mission; efficiency; legislative report, recommendations. It is part 2.20of the department's mission that within the department's resources the commissioner 2.21shall endeavor to: 2.22(1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public money; 2.23(2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's 2.24resources and operate the department as efficiently as possible; 2.25(3) new text begin prevent the degradation of air and water quality; new text end 2.26 new text begin (4) new text end coordinate the department's activities wherever appropriate with the activities 2.27of other governmental agencies; 2.28(4) new text begin (5) new text end use technology where appropriate to increase agency productivity, improve 2.29customer service, increase public access to information about government, and increase 2.30public participation in the business of government; 2.31(5) new text begin (6) new text end utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management practices to the extent 2.32otherwise required by chapters 43A and 179A; 2.33(6) new text begin (7) new text end report to the legislature on the performance of agency operations and the 2.34accomplishment of agency goals in the agency's biennial budget according to section 2.3516A.10, subdivision 1 ; and 3.1(7) new text begin (8) new text end recommend to the legislature appropriate changes in law necessary to carry 3.2out the mission and improve the performance of the department. 3.3 new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end 3.4    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 3.5    Subdivision 1. Statewide transportation plan; priorities; schedule of 3.6expenditures. In order to best meet the present and future transportation needs of the 3.7public, to insure a strong state economy, to make most efficient use of public and private 3.8funds, new text begin to lessen adverse environmental impacts of the transportation sector, new text end and to 3.9promote the more efficient use of energy and other resources for transportation purposes, 3.10the commissioner shall: 3.11(1) three months after notification that the department is ready to commence 3.12operations and prior to the drafting of the statewide transportation plan, hold public 3.13hearings as may be appropriate solely for the purpose of receiving suggestions for future 3.14transportation alternatives and priorities for the state. The Metropolitan Council, regional 3.15development commissions, and port authorities shall appear at the hearings and submit 3.16information concerning transportation-related planning undertaken and accomplished by 3.17these agencies. Other political subdivisions may appear and submit such information at 3.18the hearings. These hearings shall be completed no later than six months from the date of 3.19the commissioner's notification; 3.20(2) develop, adopt, revise, and monitor a statewide transportation plan, taking into 3.21account the suggestions and information submitted at the public hearings held pursuant 3.22to clause (1). The plan shall incorporate all modes of transportation and provide for the 3.23interconnection and coordination of different modes of transportation. The commissioner 3.24shall evaluate alternative new text begin all new text end transportation programs and facilities proposed for inclusion 3.25in the plan in terms of economic costs and benefits, safety aspects, impact on present 3.26and planned land uses, environmental effects, energy efficiency, national transportation 3.27policies and priorities, and availability of federal and other financial assistance; 3.28(3) based upon the statewide transportation plan, develop statewide transportation 3.29priorities and schedule authorized public capital improvements and other authorized 3.30public transportation expenditures pursuant to the priorities; 3.31(4) complete the plan and priorities required by this subdivision no later than July 3.321, 1978. Upon completion of the plan and priorities, the commissioner shall prepare 3.33and periodically revise, as necessary, the schedule of authorized public transportation 3.34expenditures. The plan, priorities, and schedule are exempt from the provisions of the 3.35Administrative Procedure Act. 4.1 new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end 4.2    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.03, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 4.3    Subd. 6. Social, economic, and environmental effects new text begin ; vehicle emissions new text end . 4.4 new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner shall consider the social, economic, and environmental effects 4.5resulting from existing and proposed transportation facilities and shall make continuing 4.6efforts to mitigate any adverse effects. The commissioner shall utilize a systematic, 4.7interdisciplinary approach which shall insure the integrated use of the natural, social, and 4.8physical sciences and the environmental design arts in plans and decisions which may 4.9affect the environment. 4.10 new text begin (b) The commissioner shall specifically consider the effects on reaching the new text end 4.11 new text begin statewide goal of substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles new text end 4.12 new text begin in Minnesota by the year 2030. new text end 4.13 new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end 4.14    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.03, is amended by adding a subdivision 4.15to read: 4.16     new text begin Subd. 6b. new text end new text begin Strategic plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor new text end 4.17 new text begin vehicles. new text end new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation shall prepare a strategic plan for new text end 4.18 new text begin attaining the goal of reducing air contaminants, commonly known as greenhouse gases, new text end 4.19 new text begin from transportation in Minnesota by 30 percent of the year 2007 emissions levels by new text end 4.20 new text begin the year 2030. The commissioner shall consult with the commissioners of the Pollution new text end 4.21 new text begin Control Agency and the Departments of Commerce and Public Safety, who shall provide new text end 4.22 new text begin any necessary staff, measuring equipment and methodologies, and other assistance and new text end 4.23 new text begin expertise required. The commissioner shall consult with, and may seek assistance and new text end 4.24 new text begin expertise from, appropriate federal agencies. new text end 4.25 new text begin (b) In compiling a report to the legislature, the commissioner shall consider: new text end 4.26 new text begin (1) fuel efficiency and vehicle emission standards; new text end 4.27 new text begin (2) compliance with the federal Clean Air Act under United States Code, title 42, new text end 4.28 new text begin section 7401, et seq., as amended; new text end 4.29 new text begin (3) the potential for increased transit in the metropolitan area and in Greater new text end 4.30 new text begin Minnesota, including but not limited to the development of statewide commuter rail new text end 4.31 new text begin corridors connecting Duluth, Willmar, Mankato, Winona, Rochester, and Northfield to the new text end 4.32 new text begin metropolitan area; new text end 5.1 new text begin (4) establishing potential incentives to promote the use of low-emission and new text end 5.2 new text begin high-occupancy vehicles and transit or disincentives for the use of non-low-emission and new text end 5.3 new text begin low-occupancy vehicles, or both; new text end 5.4 new text begin (5) holding hearings for views of interested parties, such as motor vehicle new text end 5.5 new text begin manufacturers, oil companies, and environmental organizations; new text end 5.6 new text begin (6) reviewing relevant scientific and engineering studies and reports; and new text end 5.7 new text begin (7) any other matters the commissioner determines are factors that should be new text end 5.8 new text begin considered. new text end 5.9 new text begin (c) To the extent necessary, the commissioner may employ a nationally recognized new text end 5.10 new text begin independent expert, whether an organization or individual, to provide technical expertise new text end 5.11 new text begin or to otherwise supplement the study or the commissioner's formulation of proposed new text end 5.12 new text begin policies, objectives, and strategies for achieving the goal of "30 percent by 2030." new text end 5.13 new text begin (d) The commissioner shall submit a report detailing the strategic plan, with new text end 5.14 new text begin recommendations for any statutory changes necessary to implement the plan, to the new text end 5.15 new text begin legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation and the environment by new text end 5.16 new text begin January 2, 2008. new text end 5.17 new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end 5.18    Sec. 6. new text begin APPROPRIATION. new text end 5.19 new text begin $500,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of transportation new text end 5.20 new text begin for the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota for the purposes new text end 5.21 new text begin of section 3 and is available through January 2, 2008. new text end 5.22 new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end