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, by adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 174.03, is amended by adding a 
1.8 	subdivision to read:
1.9 		Subd. 1d.Statewide freight rail plan. (a) The commissioner of transportation, in 
1.10 	consultation with the commissioner of employment and economic development, shall 
1.11 	study the economic impact and development possibilities associated with freight railroads 
1.12 	in this state, and create a plan to maximize economic development directly and indirectly 
1.13 	related to the operations of freight railroads. The commissioner of transportation shall 
1.14 	adopt the plan as a component of the statewide freight and passenger rail plan.
1.15 	(b) The commissioner of transportation shall report by January 15, 2013, on the 
1.16 	study and plan to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees 
1.17 	with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance and over employment and 
1.18 	economic development. The report shall include any recommended legislative initiatives.
1.19 	(c) The commissioner of transportation may expend money under section 222.50, 
1.20 	subdivision 7, to pay the costs of this study and report.