1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; directing commissioners of transportation and 
1.3 	employment and economic development to study and report to the legislature 
1.4 	about economic development related to freight railroad operation;amending 
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 174.03, subdivision 1b.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 174.03, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subd. 1b.Statewide freight and passenger rail plan; freight rail economic 
1.9 	development study. (a) The commissioner shall develop a comprehensive statewide 
1.10 	freight and passenger rail plan to be included and revised as a part of the statewide 
1.11 	transportation plan.
1.12 	(b) Before the initial version of the plan is adopted, the commissioner shall provide a 
1.13 	copy for review and comment to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate 
1.14 	and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and 
1.15 	finance. Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner may adopt the next revision 
1.16 	of the statewide transportation plan, scheduled to be completed in calendar year 2009, 
1.17 	prior to completion of the initial version of the comprehensive statewide freight and 
1.18 	passenger rail plan.
1.19 	(b) The commissioner, in cooperation with the commissioner of employment and 
1.20 	economic development, shall conduct a freight rail economic development study. The 
1.21 	study must assess the economic impact of freight railroads in the state and identify 
1.22 	opportunities to expand business development and enhance economic competitiveness 
1.23 	through improved utilization of freight rail options. The commissioner shall incorporate 
1.24 	findings from the study as an amendment or update to the comprehensive statewide freight 
1.25 	and passenger rail plan.
2.1 	(c) The commissioner shall provide an interim progress report by January 15, 2013, 
2.2 	and a final report by September 1, 2013, on the freight rail economic development study to 
2.3 	the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
2.4 	over transportation policy and finance and employment and economic development.  The 
2.5 	final report must include any recommended legislative initiatives.
2.6 	(d) The commissioner may expend money under section 222.50, subdivision 7, to 
2.7 	pay the costs of the study and reports under paragraphs (b) and (c).

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