HF 1663

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/12/2015 05:25pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; creating a road-user charge working group to study
and report on issues concerning implementation of a road-user charge as an
alternative to motor fuels tax; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin ESTABLISHMENT OF ROAD-USER CHARGE WORKING GROUP.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin The road-user charge working group is established to
study and report to the legislature concerning issues related to designing and implementing
a road-user charge in this state. The road-user charge working group consists of 15
members, as follows:
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new text begin (1) the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and
senate committees or divisions with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of transportation or a designee; and
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new text begin (3) public members who have relevant expertise and interest, including members or
representatives of transportation user groups; the telecommunications industry; the data
security and privacy industry; privacy rights advocacy groups; and research and policy
making bodies. Of these members, five must be appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives, and five must be appointed by the majority leader of the senate.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The working group shall identify and consider policy and technical
issues related to funding state transportation infrastructure through implementation of a
road-user charge as an alternative to the motor fuels tax. The working group shall study
and make recommendations concerning cost, privacy, jurisdictional issues, feasibility,
complexity, public acceptance, use of revenues, possible constitutional dedication,
security, compliance, data collection technology that includes privacy and user options,
implementation, and related issues. In considering relevant issues, the working group
shall consult and utilize recommendations and findings contained in, among other sources,
the December 2011 Report of Minnesota's Mileage-Based User Fee Policy Task Force,
prepared by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In
addition, the working group shall seek and facilitate collaboration with other states; review
pilot project and implementation results from other states and countries; and explore
federal funding opportunities.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The working group shall report its findings, recommendations, and
proposed draft legislation concerning a road-user charge to the legislature, in compliance
with Minnesota Statutes, sections 3.195 and 3.197. The report must be submitted no
later than January 15, 2017.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administrative provisions. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation or
the commissioner's designee shall convene the initial meeting of the working group no
later than September 1, 2015. Upon request of the working group, the commissioner shall
provide meeting space and administrative services for the group. The members of the
working group shall elect a chair or cochairs from the members of the working group at
the initial meeting.
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new text begin (b) Public members of the working group serve without compensation or payment of
expenses.
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new text begin (c) The working group expires May 1, 2017, or upon submission of the report
required under subdivision 3, whichever is earlier.
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new text begin (d) The working group may accept gifts and grants, which are accepted on behalf of
the state and constitute donations to the state. Funds received under this paragraph are
appropriated to the commissioner of transportation for purposes of the working group.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Deadline for appointments and designations. new text end

new text begin The appointments and
designations authorized by this section must be completed by August 1, 2015.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $300,000 is appropriated to the Legislative Coordinating Commission from the
general fund for the purposes of the working group established in section 1.
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Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment.
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