HF 3190

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/26/2016 07:38am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; providing for grants for freight railroad preservation
and improvement; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014,
section 222.50, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 222.50, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Grants; freight railroad preservation and improvement. new text end

new text begin (a) The
commissioner may make grants for freight railroad preservation and improvement as
provided in this subdivision and for the purposes specified in subdivision 7.
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible recipients of grant funds under this subdivision consist of: railroad
companies that are classified by federal law or regulation as Class II Railroads, Class II Rail
Carriers, Class III Railroads, or Class III Carriers; rail users; and local units of government.
An eligible recipient may receive funds regardless of ownership of rail facilities.
new text end

new text begin (c) When awarding grants, the commissioner must prioritize projects:
new text end

new text begin (1) identified under subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (3);
new text end

new text begin (2) on segments experiencing low rail service use; and
new text end

new text begin (3) with applicants who commit more than 20 percent of total project costs from
nonstate and nonfederal sources.
new text end

new text begin (d) A grant under this subdivision may not exceed 80 percent of the total project cost.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; FREIGHT RAILROAD PRESERVATION AND
IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin $4,500,000 in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of transportation for freight railroad preservation and improvement grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 222.50, subdivision 6a. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.28, this appropriation is available for three years after the year of
appropriation.
new text end