1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring report on mitigating effects of transportation 
1.3 	construction projects on small businesses.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. REPORT ON MITIGATION OF TRANSPORTATION 
1.6 	CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS.
 1.7 	(a) The commissioner of transportation shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking 
1.8 	minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction 
1.9 	over transportation policy and finance and over economic development policy and finance 
1.10 	that proposes a plan targeted at small businesses as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
1.11 	645.445, subdivision 2, that are impacted by transportation construction projects.
1.12 	(b) The report must include, but not be limited to:
1.13 	(1) identification of methods and techniques for informing small businesses about 
1.14 	upcoming transportation construction projects;
1.15 	(2) a description of components of an information packet for businesses, which 
1.16 	includes:
1.17 	(i) the nature, extent, and timing of planned construction, including anticipated 
1.18 	changes in parking, traffic, and public access in the area;
1.19 	(ii) identification of a contact within the appropriate road authority that can provide 
1.20 	information about construction progress and timing; and
1.21 	(iii) a listing of area business development organizations that can assist businesses 
1.22 	with financing, marketing, and technical counseling during the construction period;
1.23 	(3) recommendations for opportunities and possible legislation to further assist 
1.24 	small businesses impacted by transportation construction projects, including a process 
2.1 	for consultation, before a transportation construction project begins, between the 
2.2 	commissioner and local units of government to deal with parking, traffic, and access 
2.3 	concerns of small businesses that will be impacted by the project; and
2.4 	(4) the cost of implementing the program described in the report.
2.5 	(c) In preparing the report, the commissioner shall consult with the commissioner of 
2.6 	employment and economic development, the Metropolitan Council, counties, cities, and 
2.7 	community organizations, including a metropolitan consortium of community developers 
2.8 	and local chambers of commerce.
2.9 	(d) The commissioner of transportation shall submit the report no later than February 
2.10 	15, 2009.