HF 3556

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/12/2018 04:27pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money for statewide planning and
development of trails for off-road vehicles.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; DEVELOPING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFF-ROAD
VEHICLES.
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new text begin (a) $200,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the off-road vehicle account in the
natural resources fund to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with a project
administrator to assist the commissioner in planning, designing, and providing a system of
state touring routes for off-road vehicles by identifying sustainable, legal routes suitable
for licensed four-wheel drive vehicles and a system of recreational trails for registered
off-road vehicles.
new text end

new text begin (b) $200,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the off-road vehicle account in the
natural resources fund to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract to prepare a
comprehensive, statewide, strategic master plan for trails for off-road vehicles. At a minimum,
the plan must:
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new text begin (1) identify opportunities to develop new, high-quality, comprehensive trails for off-road
vehicles in a system that serves regional and tourist destinations;
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new text begin (2) enhance connectivity with trails for off-road vehicles, trails and parks for other
off-highway vehicles, and trails and parks for other types of vehicles;
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new text begin (3) provide opportunities for new exposure and economic development in greater
Minnesota;
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new text begin (4) help people connect with the outdoors in a safe and environmentally sustainable
manner;
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new text begin (5) create new and support existing opportunities for social, economic, and cultural
benefits and meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships for users of off-road vehicles
and the communities that host trails for off-road vehicles; and
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new text begin (6) require the commissioner to cooperate with local governments, organizations, and
other interested partners.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; REIMBURSING CLAIMS FOR ADDITIONAL NEEDS
FOR FOREST ROADS.
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new text begin (a) $200,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the off-road vehicle account in the
natural resources fund to the commissioner of natural resources to share the cost by
reimbursing federal, county, and township entities for additional needs on forest roads when
the needs are a result of increased use by off-road vehicles and are attributable to a
border-to-border touring route established by the commissioner. This section does apply to
roads that are operated by a public road authority as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
160.02, subdivision 25. The appropriation is available until expended.
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new text begin (b) To be eligible for reimbursement under this section, the claimant must demonstrate
that:
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new text begin (1) the needs result from additional traffic generated by the border-to-border touring
route; and
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new text begin (2) increased use attributable to a border-to-border touring route has caused at least a
50 percent increase in maintenance costs for forest roads under the claimant's jurisdiction,
based on a ten-year maintenance average.
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new text begin (c) Before reimbursing a claim under this section, the commissioner must consider
whether the claim is consistent with claims made by other entities that administer forest
roads on the touring route, in terms of the amount requested for reimbursement and the
frequency of claims made.
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new text begin (d) The commissioner must review all claims for reimbursement with the Minnesota
Four Wheel Drive Association.
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