<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>by commissioner of transportation; modifying or adding provisions relating to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>transit financial assistance;amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 174.22, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>by adding a subdivision; 174.23, subdivisions 1, 2; 174.24, subdivisions 2, 3b, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>by adding a subdivision; 174.247; Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section <br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>174.24, subdivisions 1a, 5.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.22, is amended by adding a <br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>subdivision to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>    Subd. 14a. <b>State sources of funds.</b> "State sources of funds" means funding for the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>public transit participation program appropriated from (1) the general fund, and (2) the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>greater Minnesota transit account.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>General.</b> (a) The commissioner shall have all powers necessary and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>convenient to carry out the provisions of sections 
         <statute_ref>174.21</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>174.27</statute_ref> including the power to: <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>(1) review applications for financial assistance, execute contracts, and obligate <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>and expend program funds, upon conditions and limitations as the commissioner deems <br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>necessary for purposes of program and project implementation, operation, and evaluation,; <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>(2) accept and disburse federal funds available for the purposes of sections 
         <statute_ref>174.21</statute_ref> to <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>174.27
         </statute_ref>, and such funds are appropriated to the commissioner; and<br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>(3) act upon request as the designated agent of any eligible person for the receipt and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>disbursal of federal funds.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>(b) The commissioner shall perform the duties and exercise the powers under <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>sections 
         <statute_ref>174.21</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>174.27</statute_ref> in coordination with and in furtherance of statewide, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>regional, and local transportation plans and transportation development programs. The <br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>commissioner shall set guidelines for financial assistance under the public transit subsidy <br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>program. The commissioner shall present any proposed guidelines regarding public transit <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>financial assistance to a legislative committee composed of equal numbers appointed by <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>the house of representatives local and urban affairs and senate transportation committees. <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>The commissioner shall not implement any new guidelines regarding public transit <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>financial assistance, between the period January 1, 1981 to April 15, 1982, without the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>prior approval of that committee. <br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.3.0"></a><a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Financial assistance</b><b>; application, approval</b><b>.</b> (a) The commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>shall seek out and select eligible recipients of financial assistance under sections 
         <statute_ref>174.21</statute_ref> <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>to 
         <statute_ref>174.27</statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>(b) The commissioner shall establish by rule the procedures and standards for review <br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>and approval of applications for financial assistance submitted to the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>pursuant to sections 
         <statute_ref>174.21</statute_ref> to 
         <statute_ref>174.27</statute_ref>. Any applicant shall provide to the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>any financial or other information required by the commissioner to carry out the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>commissioner's duties. The commissioner may require local contributions from applicants <br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>as a condition for receiving financial assistance.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>(c) Before the commissioner approves any grant, the application for the grant shall <br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>may be reviewed and approved by the appropriate regional development commission only <br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>for consistency with regional transportation plans and development guides. If an applicant <br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>proposes a project within the jurisdiction of a transit authority or commission or a transit <br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>system assisted or operated by a city or county, the application shall also be reviewed <br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>by that commission, authority, or political subdivision for consistency with its transit <br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>programs, policies, and plans. Any regional development commission that has not adopted <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>a transportation plan may review but may not approve or disapprove of any application. <br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.4.0"></a><a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 174.24, subdivision 1a, is <br/>
<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>    Subd. 1a. <b>Transit service needs implementation</b><b> Greater Minnesota transit </b><br/>
<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var><b>investment</b><b> plan.</b> (a) The commissioner shall develop a  greater Minnesota transit service <br/>
<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>needs implementation investment plan that contains a goal of meeting at least 80 percent <br/>
<a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>of unmet total transit service needs in greater Minnesota by July 1, 2015, and meeting at <br/>
<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>least 90 percent of unmet total transit service needs in greater Minnesota by July 1, 2025.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>(b) The plan must include, but is not limited to, the following:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>(1) an analysis of ridership and total transit service needs throughout greater <br/>
<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>Minnesota;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>(2) a calculation of unmet needs; an assessment of the level and type of service <br/>
<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>required to meet unmet total transit service needs, for the transit system classifications <br/>
<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>as provided under subdivision 3b, paragraph (c), of urbanized area, small urban area, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>rural area, and elderly and disabled service;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>(3) an analysis of costs and revenue options; and,<br/>
<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>(4) a plan to reduce unmet total transit service needs as specified in this subdivision; <br/>
<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>and<br/>
<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>(5) identification of the operating and capital costs necessary to meet 100 percent of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>the greater Minnesota transit targeted and projected bus service hours, as identified in the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>greater Minnesota transit plan, for 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025, and 2030.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>(c) The plan must specifically address special transportation service ridership and <br/>
<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>needs. The plan must also provide that recipients of operating assistance under this <br/>
<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>section provide fixed route public transit service without charge for disabled veterans in <br/>
<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>accordance with subdivision 7. The commissioner may amend the plan as necessary, and <br/>
<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>may use all or part of the 2001 greater Minnesota public transportation plan created by the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>Minnesota Department of Transportation.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.5.0"></a><a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.24, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Eligibility; application.</b> Any legislatively established public transit <br/>
<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>commission or authority, any county or statutory or home rule charter city providing <br/>
<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>financial assistance to or operating public transit, any private operator of public transit, or <br/>
<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>any combination thereof is eligible to receive financial assistance through the public transit <br/>
<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>participation program. Except as provided in subdivision 2b for assistance provided from <br/>
<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>federal funds, eligible recipients must be located outside of the metropolitan area.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.6.0"></a><a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.24, is amended by adding a subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>    Subd. 2b. <b>Federal aid.</b> (a) The commissioner may accept and disburse federal funds <br/>
<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>received and appropriated under section 174.23, subdivision 1, as an additional source of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>funds for implementing the public transit participation program established in this section. <br/>
<a id="pl.3.34"></a><var>3.34</var>This authority includes, but is not limited to:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>(1) adopting administrative rules to establish financial assistance allocation priorities, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>identify factors to consider in reviewing an applicant's management plan, evaluate a <br/>
<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>request for financial assistance, and determine the amount of financial assistance to be <br/>
<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>provided; and<br/>
<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>(2) establishing project selection criteria under the United States Code, title 49, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>section 5311, state management plan as approved by the Federal Transit Administration, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>United States Department of Transportation.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>(b) If the commissioner accepts and disburses federal funds as provided in paragraph <br/>
<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>(a), the commissioner shall:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var>(1) maintain separate accounts for (i) state sources of funds, and (ii) federal sources <br/>
<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>of funding; and<br/>
<a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>(2) ensure that all state sources of funds are only used for assistance to eligible <br/>
<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>recipients as provided in subdivision 2.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.7.0"></a><a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.24, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>    Subd. 3b. <b>Operating assistance; recipient classifications.</b> (a) The commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>shall determine the total operating cost of any public transit system receiving or applying <br/>
<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>for assistance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. To be eligible <br/>
<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>for financial assistance, an applicant or recipient shall provide to the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>all financial records and other information and shall permit any inspection reasonably <br/>
<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>necessary to determine total operating cost and correspondingly the amount of assistance <br/>
<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var>that may be paid to the applicant or recipient. Where more than one county or municipality <br/>
<a id="pl.4.22"></a><var>4.22</var>contributes assistance to the operation of a public transit system, the commissioner shall <br/>
<a id="pl.4.23"></a><var>4.23</var>identify one as lead agency for the purpose of receiving money under this section.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.24"></a><var>4.24</var>    (b) Prior to distributing operating assistance to eligible recipients for any contract <br/>
<a id="pl.4.25"></a><var>4.25</var>period, the commissioner shall place all recipients into one of the following classifications: <br/>
<a id="pl.4.26"></a><var>4.26</var>urbanized area service, small urban area service, rural area service, and elderly and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.27"></a><var>4.27</var>disabled service.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.28"></a><var>4.28</var>(c) The commissioner shall distribute funds under this section so that the percentage <br/>
<a id="pl.4.29"></a><var>4.29</var>of total contracted operating cost paid by any recipient from local sources will not exceed <br/>
<a id="pl.4.30"></a><var>4.30</var>the percentage for that recipient's classification, except as provided in an undue hardship <br/>
<a id="pl.4.31"></a><var>4.31</var>case this subdivision. The percentages must be:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.32"></a><var>4.32</var>(1) for urbanized area service and small urban area service, 20 percent;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.33"></a><var>4.33</var>(2) for rural area service, 15 percent; and<br/>
<a id="pl.4.34"></a><var>4.34</var>(3) for elderly and disabled service, 15 percent. <br/>
<a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var>Except as provided in a United States Department of Transportation program allowing <br/>
<a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var>or requiring a lower percentage to be paid from local sources, the remainder of the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var>recipient's total contracted operating cost will be paid from state sources of funds less any <br/>
<a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var>assistance received by the recipient from any federal source the United States Department <br/>
<a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var>of Transportation.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var>(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "local sources" means all local sources of funds <br/>
<a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var>and includes all operating revenue, tax levies, and contributions from public funds, except <br/>
<a id="pl.5.8"></a><var>5.8</var>that the commissioner may exclude from the total assistance contract revenues derived <br/>
<a id="pl.5.9"></a><var>5.9</var>from operations the cost of which is excluded from the computation of total operating <br/>
<a id="pl.5.10"></a><var>5.10</var>cost. Total operating costs of the Duluth Transit Authority or a successor agency does <br/>
<a id="pl.5.11"></a><var>5.11</var>not include costs related to the Superior, Wisconsin service contract and the Independent <br/>
<a id="pl.5.12"></a><var>5.12</var>School District No. 709 service contract. <br/>
<a id="pl.5.13"></a><var>5.13</var>    (c) (e) If a recipient informs the commissioner in writing after the establishment of <br/>
<a id="pl.5.14"></a><var>5.14</var>these percentages but prior to the distribution of financial assistance for any year that <br/>
<a id="pl.5.15"></a><var>5.15</var>paying its designated percentage of total operating cost from local sources will cause <br/>
<a id="pl.5.16"></a><var>5.16</var>undue hardship, the commissioner may reduce the percentage to be paid from local <br/>
<a id="pl.5.17"></a><var>5.17</var>sources by the recipient and increase the percentage to be paid from local sources by one <br/>
<a id="pl.5.18"></a><var>5.18</var>or more other recipients inside or outside the classification. However, the commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.5.19"></a><var>5.19</var>may not reduce or increase any recipient's percentage under this paragraph for more than <br/>
<a id="pl.5.20"></a><var>5.20</var>two years successively. If for any year the funds appropriated to the commissioner to carry <br/>
<a id="pl.5.21"></a><var>5.21</var>out the purposes of this section are insufficient to allow the commissioner to pay the state <br/>
<a id="pl.5.22"></a><var>5.22</var>share of total operating cost as provided in this paragraph, the commissioner shall reduce <br/>
<a id="pl.5.23"></a><var>5.23</var>the state share in each classification to the extent necessary.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.8.0"></a><a id="pl.5.24"></a><var>5.24</var>    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 174.24, subdivision 5, is <br/>
<a id="pl.5.25"></a><var>5.25</var>amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.26"></a><var>5.26</var>    Subd. 5. <b>Method of payment, operating assistance.</b> Payments for operating <br/>
<a id="pl.5.27"></a><var>5.27</var>assistance under this section from state sources of funds must be made in the following <br/>
<a id="pl.5.28"></a><var>5.28</var>manner:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.29"></a><var>5.29</var>    (a) For payments made from the general fund:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.30"></a><var>5.30</var>    (1) 50 percent of the total contract amount in or before the first month of operation;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.31"></a><var>5.31</var>    (2) 40 percent of the total contract amount in or before the seventh month of <br/>
<a id="pl.5.32"></a><var>5.32</var>operation;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.33"></a><var>5.33</var>    (3) 9 percent of the total contract amount in or before the 12th month of operation; <br/>
<a id="pl.5.34"></a><var>5.34</var>and<br/>
<a id="pl.5.35"></a><var>5.35</var>    (4) 1 percent of the total contract amount after the final audit.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.1"></a><var>6.1</var>    (b) For payments made from the greater Minnesota transit account:<br/>
<a id="pl.6.2"></a><var>6.2</var>    (1) 50 percent of the total contract amount in or before the seventh month of <br/>
<a id="pl.6.3"></a><var>6.3</var>operation; and<br/>
<a id="pl.6.4"></a><var>6.4</var>    (2) 50 percent of the total contract amount in or before the 11th month of operation.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.9.0"></a><a id="pl.6.5"></a><var>6.5</var>    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.247, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.6.6"></a><var>6.6</var><b>174.247 ANNUAL TRANSIT REPORT.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.6.7"></a><var>6.7</var>    (a) By February 15 annually, the commissioner shall submit a report to the legislature <br/>
<a id="pl.6.8"></a><var>6.8</var>on transit services outside the metropolitan area. The Metropolitan Council and any <br/>
<a id="pl.6.9"></a><var>6.9</var>public transit system receiving assistance under section 
         <statute_ref>174.24</statute_ref> shall provide assistance <br/>
<a id="pl.6.10"></a><var>6.10</var>in creating the report, as requested by the commissioner.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.11"></a><var>6.11</var>    (b) The report must include, at a minimum, the following:<br/>
<a id="pl.6.12"></a><var>6.12</var>    (1) a descriptive overview of public transit in Minnesota;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.13"></a><var>6.13</var>    (2) a descriptive summary of funding sources and assistance programs;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.14"></a><var>6.14</var>    (3) a summary of each public transit system receiving assistance under section <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.6.15"></a><var>6.15</var>174.24
         </statute_ref>;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.16"></a><var>6.16</var>    (4) data that identifies use of volunteers in providing transit service;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.17"></a><var>6.17</var>    (5) financial data that identifies operating and capital costs, and funding sources, <br/>
<a id="pl.6.18"></a><var>6.18</var>for each public transit system and for each transit system classification under section <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.6.19"></a><var>6.19</var>174.24, subdivision 3b
         </statute_ref>
<statute_ref></statute_ref>:<br/>
<a id="pl.6.20"></a><var>6.20</var>(i) the operating and capital costs;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.21"></a><var>6.21</var>(ii) each of the funding sources used to provide financial assistance; and<br/>
<a id="pl.6.22"></a><var>6.22</var>(iii) for federal funds, the amount from each specific federal program under which <br/>
<a id="pl.6.23"></a><var>6.23</var>funding is provided;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.24"></a><var>6.24</var>    (6) a summary of the differences in program implementation requirements and aid <br/>
<a id="pl.6.25"></a><var>6.25</var>recipient eligibility between federal aid and state sources of funds;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.26"></a><var>6.26</var>(7) in each odd-numbered year, an analysis of public transit system needs and <br/>
<a id="pl.6.27"></a><var>6.27</var>operating expenditures on an annual basis, which must include a methodology for <br/>
<a id="pl.6.28"></a><var>6.28</var>identifying monetary needs, and calculations of:<br/>
<a id="pl.6.29"></a><var>6.29</var>(i) the total monetary needs for all public transit systems, for the year of the report <br/>
<a id="pl.6.30"></a><var>6.30</var>and the ensuing five years;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.31"></a><var>6.31</var>(ii) the total expenditures from local sources for each transit system classification;<br/>
<a id="pl.6.32"></a><var>6.32</var>(iii) the comprehensive transit assistance percentage for each transit system <br/>
<a id="pl.6.33"></a><var>6.33</var>classification, which equals (A) the expenditures identified under clause (7), item (ii), for <br/>
<a id="pl.6.34"></a><var>6.34</var>a transit system classification, divided by (B) the amounts identified under subitem (A), <br/>
<a id="pl.7.1"></a><var>7.1</var>plus the sum of state sources of funds plus federal funds provided to all transit systems <br/>
<a id="pl.7.2"></a><var>7.2</var>in that classification; and<br/>
<a id="pl.7.3"></a><var>7.3</var>(iv) in each odd-numbered year, beginning in 2009, a calculation of the amounts the <br/>
<a id="pl.7.4"></a><var>7.4</var>amount of surplus or insufficient funds available for (i) paying the state share of transit <br/>
<a id="pl.7.5"></a><var>7.5</var>operating costs under section 
<statute_ref>174.24, subdivision 3b</statute_ref>, and (ii) paying capital and operating <br/>
<a id="pl.7.6"></a><var>7.6</var>costs to fully implement the transit service needs implementation greater Minnesota transit <br/>
<a id="pl.7.7"></a><var>7.7</var>investment plan under section 
         <statute_ref>174.24</statute_ref>, subdivision 1a.<br/>