1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring commissioner to prioritize for state funding 
1.3 	certain metropolitan area projects that have been awarded federal funding; 
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.03, subdivision 1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Statewide transportation plan; priorities; schedule of 
1.8 	expenditures. In order to best meet the present and future transportation needs of 
1.9 	the public, to insure a strong state economy, to make most efficient use of public and 
1.10 	private funds, and to promote the more efficient use of energy and other resources for 
1.11 	transportation purposes, the commissioner shall:
1.12 	(1) three months after notification that the department is ready to commence 
1.13 	operations and prior to the drafting of the statewide transportation plan, hold public 
1.14 	hearings as may be appropriate solely for the purpose of receiving suggestions for future 
1.15 	transportation alternatives and priorities for the state. The Metropolitan Council, regional 
1.16 	development commissions, and port authorities shall appear at the hearings and submit 
1.17 	information concerning transportation-related planning undertaken and accomplished by 
1.18 	these agencies. Other political subdivisions may appear and submit such information at 
1.19 	the hearings. These hearings shall be completed no later than six months from the date of 
1.20 	the commissioner's notification;
1.21 	(2) develop, adopt, revise, and monitor a statewide transportation plan, taking into 
1.22 	account the suggestions and information submitted at the public hearings held pursuant 
1.23 	to clause (1). The plan shall incorporate all modes of transportation and provide for the 
1.24 	interconnection and coordination of different modes of transportation. The commissioner 
2.1 	shall evaluate alternative transportation programs and facilities proposed for inclusion 
2.2 	in the plan in terms of economic costs and benefits, safety aspects, impact on present 
2.3 	and planned land uses, environmental effects, energy efficiency, national transportation 
2.4 	policies and priorities, and availability of federal and other financial assistance;
2.5 	(3) based upon the statewide transportation plan, develop statewide transportation 
2.6 	priorities and schedule authorized public capital improvements and other authorized 
2.7 	public transportation expenditures pursuant to the priorities. As permitted by the federal 
2.8 	surface transportation program and subject to available funding, the commissioner 
2.9 	shall prioritize for funding those transportation projects in the metropolitan area, as 
2.10 	defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, that are consistent with policies included in the 
2.11 	Metropolitan Council's metropolitan development guide, transportation policy plan, and 
2.12 	regional development framework, and that have been awarded funding through the federal 
2.13 	surface transportation program;
2.14 	(4) complete the plan and priorities required by this subdivision no later than July 
2.15 	1, 1978. Upon completion of the plan and priorities, the commissioner shall prepare 
2.16 	and periodically revise, as necessary, the schedule of authorized public transportation 
2.17 	expenditures. The plan, priorities, and schedule are exempt from the provisions of the 
2.18 	Administrative Procedure Act.

2.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.