1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to highways; requiring a highway construction costs study and report; 
1.3 	appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION COSTS STUDY; APPROPRIATION.
 1.6 	(a) $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2018 from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.7 	of transportation for a study on highway construction costs. The commissioner shall enter 
1.8 	into an agreement to conduct the study with an organization or entity having relevant 
1.9 	expertise.
1.10 	(b) At a minimum, the study must include:
1.11 	(1) an overview of highway construction cost issues;
1.12 	(2) comparison of costs in Minnesota relative to other states and regions;
1.13 	(3) identification of factors specific to Minnesota, if any, that contribute to cost 
1.14 	differences;
1.15 	(4) evaluation of the methodology used for highway construction cost calculation and 
1.16 	indexing in Minnesota, including (i) review of associated best practices, (ii) comparison of 
1.17 	federal and Minnesota state highway construction cost index methodologies, and (iii) 
1.18 	identification of the reasons for any past discrepancies or differences between state and 
1.19 	federal highway construction cost indexing; and
1.20 	(5) specific recommendations for road authorities and legislative changes to reduce 
1.21 	highway construction costs.
2.1 	(c) By February 15, 2018, the commissioner shall submit a report on the study to the 
2.2 	chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
2.3 	transportation policy and finance.