HF 898

4th Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:42am

A bill for an act
relating to environment; adding greenhouse gas reduction goals and strategies
to various state and metropolitan programs and plans; establishing goals for per
capita reduction in vehicle miles driven to reduce greenhouse gases; transferring
money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 103B.3355; 116D.04, by
adding a subdivision; 123B.70, subdivision 1; 123B.71, subdivision 9; 473.121,
by adding a subdivision; 473.145; 473.146, by adding a subdivision; 473.25;
473.856; 473.858, subdivisions 1, 2; 473.864, subdivision 2; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 174.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; IMPROVED LAND USE PLANNING TO
ACHIEVE MANDATED REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
new text end

new text begin The legislature finds that changes in development patterns are necessary for
Minnesota to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals provided in Minnesota Statutes,
section 216H.02, subdivision 1. The legislature further finds that improved land use
planning and development practices that target growth in ways that reduce the number
and length of vehicle trips are necessary to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals
provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 216H.02, subdivision 1.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 103B.3355, is amended to read:

103B.3355 WETLAND FUNCTIONS FOR DETERMINING PUBLIC
VALUES.

(a) The public values of wetlands must be determined based upon the functions of
wetlands for:

(1) water quality, including filtering of pollutants to surface and groundwater,
utilization of nutrients that would otherwise pollute public waters, trapping of sediments,
shoreline protection, and utilization of the wetland as a recharge area for groundwater;

(2) floodwater and stormwater retention, including the potential for flooding in
the watershed, the value of property subject to flooding, and the reduction in potential
flooding by the wetland;

(3) public recreation and education, including hunting and fishing areas, wildlife
viewing areas, and nature areas;

(4) commercial uses, including wild rice and cranberry growing and harvesting
and aquaculture;

(5) fish, wildlife, native plant habitats;

(6) low-flow augmentation; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (7) carbon sequestration; and
new text end

deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end other public uses.

(b) The Board of Water and Soil Resources, in consultation with the commissioners
of natural resources and agriculture and local government units, shall adopt rules
establishing:

(1) scientific methodologies for determining the functions of wetlands; and

(2) criteria for determining the resulting public values of wetlands.

(c) The methodologies and criteria established under this section or other
methodologies and criteria that include the functions in paragraph (a) and are approved
by the board, in consultation with the commissioners of natural resources and agriculture
and local government units, must be used to determine the functions and resulting public
values of wetlands in the state. The functions listed in paragraph (a) are not listed in
order of priority.

(d) Public value criteria established or approved by the board under this section do
not apply in areas subject to local comprehensive wetland protection and management
plans established under section 103G.2243.

(e) The Board of Water and Soil Resources, in consultation with the commissioners
of natural resources and agriculture and local government units, may identify regions of
the state where preservation, enhancement, restoration, and establishment of wetlands
would have high public value. The board, in consultation with the commissioners, may
identify high priority wetland regions using available information relating to the factors
listed in paragraph (a). The board shall notify local units of government with water
planning authority of these high priority regions.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2009, and applies to
rulemaking that begins after that date.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 116D.04, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 2c. new text end

new text begin Greenhouse gases. new text end

new text begin (a) This subdivision applies to land use and
transportation-related development projects for which preparation of an environmental
assessment worksheet is mandatory.
new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning January 1, 2010, environmental review documents prepared under
this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter for projects that meet the requirements
of paragraph (a) must consider greenhouse gas emissions.
new text end

new text begin (c) Nothing in this subdivision adds to, subtracts from, or modifies the obligation
of a responsible governmental unit under this chapter to conduct environmental review
because of the potential for significant environmental effects resulting from a project's
greenhouse gas emissions.
new text end

new text begin (d) By November 1, 2009, the board shall develop a guidance document to aid
responsible governmental units in implementing this subdivision. In developing the
guidance document, the board shall consider published protocols for inventorying
greenhouse gas emissions. The guidance document must include examples of mitigation
measures for different types of projects.
new text end

new text begin (e) By November 1, 2009, the board shall provide an environmental assessment
worksheet form consistent with this subdivision. The form must include analysis of
greenhouse gas emissions, including project energy use and vehicle-related greenhouse
gas emissions.
new text end

new text begin (f) For the purposes of this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) "greenhouse gas emissions" means emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride from anthropogenic
sources that result from a project; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "land use and transportation-related development projects" means projects
described in Minnesota Rules, part 4410.4300, subparts 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 32, 34, 36,
and 37.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 123B.70, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Commissioner approval.

new text begin (a) new text end In determining whether to give a
school facility a positive, negative, or unfavorable review and comment, the commissioner
must evaluate the proposals for facilities using the information provided under section
123B.71, subdivision 9.

new text begin (b) In the case of a proposal for a new school, the local school board retains the
authority to determine the minimum acreage needed to accommodate the school and
related facilities. The commissioner may evaluate the proposals but must not issue a
negative or unfavorable review and comment under this section for a school facility solely
based on too little acreage of the proposed school site.
new text end

new text begin (c) In the case of a proposal to renovate an existing school, the local school board
retains the authority to determine whether to renovate an existing school or to build a new
school regardless of the acreage of the current school site or the cost of the renovation
relative to the cost of building a new school. The commissioner's evaluation of whether
to replace a facility must not be solely based upon the ratio of renovation costs to the
cost of replacement.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for review and comments issued
after July 1, 2009.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 123B.71, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Information required.

A school board proposing to construct a facility
described in subdivision 8 shall submit to the commissioner a proposal containing
information including at least the following:

(1) the geographic area and population to be served, preschool through grade 12
student enrollments for the past five years, and student enrollment projections for the
next five years;

(2) a list of existing facilities by year constructed, their uses, and an assessment of
the extent to which alternate facilities are available within the school district boundaries
and in adjacent school districts;

(3) a list of the specific deficiencies of the facility that demonstrate the need for a
new or renovated facility to be provided, and a list of the specific benefits that the new
or renovated facility will provide to the students, teachers, and community users served
by the facility;

(4) the relationship of the project to any priorities established by the school district,
educational cooperatives that provide support services, or other public bodies in the
service area;

new text begin (5) a description of the pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connections between the
school and nearby residential areas that make it easier for children, teachers, and parents
to get to the school by walking, bicycling, and taking transit;
new text end

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end a specification of how the project deleted text begin will increase community use of the facility deleted text end new text begin
maximizes the opportunity for cooperative use of existing park, recreation, and other
public facilities new text end and whether and how the project will increase collaboration with other
governmental or nonprofit entities;

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end a description of the project, including the specification of site and outdoor
space acreage and square footage allocations for classrooms, laboratories, and support
spaces; estimated expenditures for the major portions of the project; and the dates the
project will begin and be completed;

deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end a specification of the source of financing the project; the scheduled date
for a bond issue or school board action; a schedule of payments, including debt service
equalization aid; and the effect of a bond issue on local property taxes by the property
class and valuation;

deleted text begin (8) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end an analysis of how the proposed new or remodeled facility will affect school
district operational or administrative staffing costs, and how the district's operating budget
will cover any increased operational or administrative staffing costs;

deleted text begin (9) deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end a description of the consultation with local or state deleted text begin road and deleted text end transportation
officials on new text begin multimodal new text end school site access and safety issues, and the ways that the project
will address those issues;

deleted text begin (10) deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end a description of how indoor air quality issues have been considered and a
certification that the architects and engineers designing the facility will have professional
liability insurance;

deleted text begin (11) deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end as required under section 123B.72, for buildings coming into service
after July 1, 2002, a certification that the plans and designs for the extensively renovated
or new facility's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems will meet or exceed
code standards; will provide for the monitoring of outdoor airflow and total airflow of
ventilation systems; and will provide an indoor air quality filtration system that meets
ASHRAE standard 52.1;

deleted text begin (12) deleted text end new text begin (13) new text end a specification of any desegregation requirements that cannot be met
by any other reasonable means;

deleted text begin (13) deleted text end new text begin (14) new text end a specification deleted text begin , if applicable, deleted text end of how the facility will utilize environmentally
sustainable school facility design concepts; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (14) deleted text end new text begin (15) new text end a description of how the architects and engineers have considered
the American National Standards Institute Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design
Requirements and Guidelines for Schools of the maximum background noise level and
reverberation times deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (16) any existing information from the relevant local unit of government about the
cumulative costs to provide infrastructure to serve the school, such as utilities, sewer,
roads, and sidewalks.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [174.015] REDUCING PER CAPITA VEHICLE MILES DRIVEN.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin "Per capita vehicle miles driven" means nonfreight motor
vehicle miles driven per person per calendar year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Reduction goal. new text end

new text begin To help achieve an overall reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions in Minnesota, the commissioner of transportation shall implement, and facilitate
the implementation by other public and private entities of, policies that have the goal of
achieving by 2025 at least a 15 percent reduction from 2005 levels of per capital vehicle
miles driven. The implemented policies shall not mandate that individuals reduce their
per capita vehicle miles driven.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [174.40] SENSIBLE COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation shall collaborate with the Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency to seek funding through the United States Departments of Transportation
and Housing and Urban Development sustainable communities partnership when that
funding is available. The commissioner of transportation may use funds received from
the sustainable communities partnership, or other funds available for planning assistance
purposes, to make grants to regional and metropolitan planning organizations outside of
the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, to provide resources
and technical assistance to local governmental units for development, adoption, and
implementation of plans and ordinances to implement the following strategies:
new text end

new text begin (1) providing citizens with safe and convenient transportation alternatives, such as
transit, walking, and bicycling;
new text end

new text begin (2) increasing physical activity through community design changes that promote the
convenience and safety of walking and bicycling;
new text end

new text begin (3) maximizing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of public investments by
prioritizing infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation; and
new text end

new text begin (4) expanding lifecycle housing opportunities for all income levels, especially in
job-rich jurisdictions.
new text end

new text begin (b) Recipients of sensible communities grants must report to the commissioner
of transportation annually for five years following receipt of the grant on the planning
activities undertaken and progress made to implement the strategies identified in
paragraph (a).
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.121, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 37. new text end

new text begin Per capita vehicle miles driven. new text end

new text begin "Per capita vehicle miles driven" has
the meaning given in section 174.015.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.145, is amended to read:

473.145 DEVELOPMENT GUIDE.

The Metropolitan Council shall prepare and adopt, after appropriate study and
such public hearings as may be necessary, a comprehensive development guide for the
metropolitan area. It shall consist of a compilation of policy statements, goals, standards,
programs, and maps prescribing guides for the orderly and economical development,
public and private, of the metropolitan area. The comprehensive development guide shall
recognize and encompass physical, social, or economic needs of the metropolitan area
and those future developments which will have an impact on the entire area including but
not limited to such matters as land use, parks and open space land needs, new text begin greenhouse gas
reduction, new text end the necessity for and location of airports, highways, transit facilities, public
hospitals, libraries, schools, and other public buildings.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.146, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Per capita vehicle miles driven reduction. new text end

new text begin (a) By July 1, 2010, the
council must adopt a policy statement supporting reducing per capita vehicle miles driven.
The policy statement must set a goal of reducing regional per capita vehicle miles driven
by at least 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. The policy statement must identify broad
strategies relating to transportation and land use by which the goal may be accomplished.
The council shall consider the policy analysis and recommendations in the Minnesota
Climate Change Advisory Group's Report to the Minnesota Legislature, dated April 2008,
and consult with the University of Minnesota Institute for the Environment and the
University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies.
new text end

new text begin (b) By July 1, 2013, the council must:
new text end

new text begin (1) revise the metropolitan development guide and system plans to be consistent
with the policy statement under paragraph (a) and to meet the goal for reducing per capita
vehicle miles driven in the region;
new text end

new text begin (2) revise the comprehensive plan guidelines identified in section 473.854 to reflect
the goal identified in paragraph (a). The council is encouraged to use the resources created
by the University of Minnesota under section 16, subdivision 1, to assist in updating
the guidelines; and
new text end

new text begin (3) provide an estimate of the 2005 per capita vehicle miles driven for all local
governmental units in the metropolitan area. The estimates should be based on the per
capita vehicle miles driven of the residents of each governmental unit. The council is
encouraged to work with the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies
to create these estimates.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.25, is amended to read:

473.25 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES.

(a) The council shall establish criteria for uses of the fund provided in section
473.251 that are consistent with and promote the purposes of this article and the policies of
the Metropolitan Development Guide adopted by the council including, but not limited to:

(1) helping to change long-term market incentives that adversely impact creation
and preservation of living-wage jobs in the fully developed area;

(2) creating incentives for developing communities to include a full range of housing
opportunities;

(3) creating incentives to preserve and rehabilitate affordable housing in the fully
developed area; and

(4) creating incentives for all communities to implement compact and efficient
development.

(b) The council shall establish guidelines for the livable community demonstration
account for projects that the council would consider funding with either grants or loans.
The guidelines must provide that the projects will:

(1) interrelate development or redevelopment and transit;

(2) interrelate affordable housing and employment growth areas;

(3) intensify land use that leads to more compact development or redevelopment;

(4) involve development or redevelopment that mixes incomes of residents in
housing, including introducing or reintroducing higher value housing in lower income
areas to achieve a mix of housing opportunities; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(5) encourage public infrastructure investments which connect urban neighborhoods
and suburban communities, attract private sector redevelopment investment in commercial
and residential properties adjacent to the public improvement, and provide project area
residents with expanded opportunities for private sector employment new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (6) reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a reduction in per capita vehicle
miles driven new text end .

(c) The council shall establish guidelines governing who may apply for a grant or
loan from the fund, providing priority for proposals using innovative partnerships between
government, private for-profit, and nonprofit sectors.

(d) The council shall prepare an annual plan for distribution of the fund based on the
criteria for project and applicant selection.

(e) The council shall prepare and submit to the legislature, as provided in section
3.195, an annual report on the metropolitan livable communities fund. The report must
include information on the amount of money in the fund, the amount distributed, to whom
the funds were distributed and for what purposes, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of
the projects funded in meeting the policies and goals of the council. The report may make
recommendations to the legislature on changes to Laws 1995, chapter 255.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.856, is amended to read:

473.856 METROPOLITAN SYSTEM STATEMENTS; AMENDMENTS.

The council shall prepare and transmit to each affected local governmental unit a
metropolitan system statement when the council updates or revises its comprehensive
development guide for the metropolitan area in conjunction with the decennial review
required under section 473.864, subdivision 2, and when the council amends or modifies
a metropolitan system plan. The statement shall contain information relating to the unit
and appropriate surrounding territory that the council determines necessary for the unit to
consider in reviewing the unit's comprehensive plan. The statement may include:

(1) the timing, character, function, location, projected capacity, and conditions on use
for existing or planned metropolitan public facilities, as specified in metropolitan system
plans, and for state and federal public facilities to the extent known to the council; and

(2) the population, employment, and household projections which have been used by
the council as a basis for its metropolitan system plans.

Within nine months after receiving a system statement for an amendment to a
metropolitan system plan, and within deleted text begin three years deleted text end new text begin 30 months new text end after receiving a system
statement issued in conjunction with the decennial review required under section 473.864,
subdivision 2, each affected local governmental unit shall review its comprehensive
plan to determine if an amendment is necessary to ensure continued conformity with
metropolitan system plans. If an amendment is necessary, the governmental unit shall
prepare the amendment and submit it to the council for review pursuant to sections
462.355, 473.175, and 473.851 to 473.871.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.858, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

No conflicting zoning, fiscal device, official control.

Within nine
months following the receipt of a metropolitan system statement for an amendment to
a metropolitan system plan and within deleted text begin three years deleted text end new text begin 30 months new text end following the receipt of a
metropolitan system statement issued in conjunction with the decennial review required
under section 473.864, subdivision 2, every local governmental unit shall have reviewed
and, if necessary, amended its comprehensive plan in accordance with sections 462.355,
473.175, and 473.851 to 473.871 and the applicable planning statute and shall have
submitted the plan to the Metropolitan Council for review pursuant to section 473.175.
The provisions of sections 462.355, 473.175, and 473.851 to 473.871 shall supersede
the provisions of the applicable planning statute wherever a conflict may exist. If the
comprehensive municipal plan is in conflict with the zoning ordinance, the zoning
ordinance shall be brought into conformance with the plan by local government units in
conjunction with the review and, if necessary, amendment of its comprehensive plan
required under section 473.864, subdivision 2. After August 1, 1995, a local government
unit shall not adopt any fiscal device or official control which is in conflict with its
comprehensive plan, including any amendments to the plan, or which permits activity in
conflict with metropolitan system plans, as defined by section 473.852, subdivision 8. The
comprehensive plan shall provide guidelines for the timing and sequence of the adoption
of official controls to ensure planned, orderly, and staged development and redevelopment
consistent with the comprehensive plan. For purposes of this section, a fiscal device or
official control shall not be considered to be in conflict with a local government unit's
comprehensive plan or to permit an activity in conflict with metropolitan system plans if
such fiscal device or official control is adopted to ensure the planned, orderly, and staged
development of urbanization or redevelopment areas designated in the comprehensive
plan pursuant to section 473.859, subdivision 5.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.858, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Adjacent review, comment.

Local governmental units shall submit their
proposed plans to adjacent governmental units, affected special districts lying in whole or
in part within the metropolitan area, and affected school districts for review and comment
at least deleted text begin six months deleted text end new text begin 90 days new text end prior to submission of the plan to the council and shall submit
copies to them on the submission of the plan to the council. For minor plan amendments,
the council may prescribe a shorter review and comment period, or may waive the review
and comment period if the minor plan amendments involve lands that are not contiguous
to other local governmental units.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.864, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Decennial review.

By deleted text begin December 31, 1998 deleted text end new text begin July 1, 2015 new text end , and at least once
every ten years thereafter, each local governmental unit shall review and, if necessary,
amend its entire comprehensive plan and its fiscal devices and official controls. Such
review and, if necessary, amendment shall ensure that, as provided in section 473.865,
the fiscal devices and official controls of each local government unit are not in conflict
with its comprehensive plan. Upon completion of review and, if necessary, amendment of
its comprehensive plan, fiscal devices, and official controls as required by this section,
each local government unit shall either:

(a) submit to the Metropolitan Council the entire current comprehensive plan
together with written certification by the governing body of the local government unit that
it has complied with this section and that no amendments to its plan or fiscal devices or
official controls are necessary; or

(b)(1) submit the entire updated comprehensive plan and amendment or amendments
to its comprehensive plan necessitated by its review to the Metropolitan Council for
review; and

(2) submit the amendment or amendments to its fiscal devices or official controls
necessitated by its review to the Metropolitan Council for information purposes as
provided by section 473.865.

Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, local governments shall consider,
in preparing their updated comprehensive plans, amendments to metropolitan system
plans in effect on deleted text begin December 31, 1996 deleted text end new text begin January 1, 2013 new text end . For metropolitan system plans,
or amendments thereto, adopted after deleted text begin December 31, 1996 deleted text end new text begin January 1, 2013 new text end , local
governments shall review their comprehensive plans to determine if an amendment is
necessary to conform to the metropolitan system plans. If an amendment is necessary,
the local government shall prepare the amendment and submit it to the council for review
by deleted text begin September 30, 1999 deleted text end new text begin April 1, 2016 new text end , or nine months after the council transmits the
metropolitan system plan amendment to the local government, whichever is later.

The periodic review required in this subdivision shall be in addition to the review
required by section 473.856.

The Metropolitan Council may grant extensions to local government units in order
to allow local government units to complete the review and, if necessary, amendment
required by this subdivision. Such extensions, if granted by the Metropolitan Council,
must include a timetable and plan for completion of the review and amendment.

Amendments to comprehensive plans of local governmental units shall be prepared,
submitted, and adopted in conformance with guidelines adopted by the Metropolitan
Council pursuant to section 473.854.

Sec. 16. new text begin TRANSFER OF MONEY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies. new text end

new text begin The
Metropolitan Council must transfer $500,000 from the metropolitan livable communities
fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Center for
Transportation Studies to develop by July 1, 2011, resources for use by local governments
and the Metropolitan Council to identify land-use and transportation planning strategies
and processes to support the policy goal identified under Minnesota Statutes, section
473.146, subdivision 5. The resources should assist local communities and the
Metropolitan Council as they implement the policies under Minnesota Statutes, section
473.146, subdivision 5. The resources should take into account recent transportation
trends and be tailored to the specific trends within the Twin Cities. The Center for
Transportation Studies should identify and use existing information and models to the
extent they are useful and accurate. The Center for Transportation Studies is encouraged
to collaborate with the Metropolitan Council and local units of government willing and
interested in voluntary involvement with development and refinement of the resources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies. new text end

new text begin By
July 1, 2011, the Metropolitan Council must transfer $250,000 from the metropolitan
livable communities fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the
Center for Transportation Studies to offer a series of voluntary training sessions and
outreach activities for staff from local governments in the Twin Cities and from the
Metropolitan Council who are interested in using the resources identified in subdivision 1
to help implement the policies under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.146, subdivision
5. The Center for Transportation Studies should also maintain a Web site that provides
information related to using the resources identified in subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies. new text end

new text begin By July
1, 2013, the Metropolitan Council must transfer $500,000 from the metropolitan livable
communities fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Center
for Transportation Studies to offer voluntary technical assistance to local government staff
who are interested in using the resources identified in subdivision 1 to help implement the
policy goal under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.146, subdivision 5, including assistance
to communities on their comprehensive plan. The Center for Transportation Studies is
encouraged to evaluate and enhance the resources identified in subdivision 1 based on input
from the Metropolitan Council and local government staff that are using the resources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Metropolitan Council. new text end

new text begin By January 1, 2014, the Metropolitan Council
must use $1,000,000 of the metropolitan livable communities fund to make grants to local
governments to support their work related to Minnesota Statutes, section 473.864.
new text end

Sec. 17. new text begin APPLICATION.
new text end

new text begin Sections 8 to 16 apply in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end