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 plan. (a) The commissioner of transportation, in 
1.10 	cooperation with the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic 
1.11 	Development, shall conduct a freight rail economic development study. The study will 
1.12 	assess the economic impact of freight railroads in the state and identify opportunities to 
1.13 	expand business development and enhance economic competitiveness through improved 
1.14 	utilization of freight rail options. Findings from the study shall be incorporated as an 
1.15 	amendment to the statewide freight and passenger rail plan.
1.16 	(b) The commissioner of transportation shall provide an interim progress report on 
1.17 	the study by January 15, 2013, and a final report on September 1, 2013, to the chairs 
1.18 	and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
1.19 	transportation policy and finance and over employment and economic development. The 
1.20 	reports shall include any recommended legislative initiatives.
1.21 	(c) The commissioner of transportation may expend money under section 222.50, 
1.22 	subdivision 7, to pay the costs of this study and report.

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