HF 3900

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/11/2024 04:42pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; authorizing the construction, placement, or maintenance of
high-voltage transmission lines across or along certain highways; modifying a
provision governing the relocation of high-voltage transmission lines; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 161.45, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota
Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 161.46, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 161.45, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin High-voltage transmission. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 1, paragraph (a),
high-voltage transmission lines, under the laws of this state or the ordinance of any city,
may be constructed, placed, or maintained across or along any trunk highway, aided state
trunk highway, controlled access highway, interstate highway, or roadway, except as deemed
necessary by the commissioner of transportation to protect public safety or ensure the proper
function of the trunk highway. If the commissioner of transportation denies a high-voltage
electric line collocation request, the reasons for the denial must be submitted for review to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees with jurisdiction over energy
and transportation, the Public Utilities Commission executive secretary, and the commissioner
of commerce within 90 days of the denial. For the purposes of this subdivision, "high-voltage
transmission line" has the meaning given in sections 216B.246, subdivision 1, paragraph
(b), and 216E.01, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to applications for a route permit for a high-voltage transmission line filed with the
commission on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 161.46, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:

Subd. 2.

Relocation of facilities; reimbursement.

(a) Whenever the commissioner shall
determine the relocation of any utility facility is necessitated by the construction of a project
on the routes of federally aided state trunk highways, including urban extensions thereof,
which routes are included within the National System of Interstate Highways, the owner or
operator of such utility facility shall relocate the same in accordance with the order of the
commissioner. new text begin Except as provided in paragraph (b), new text end after the completion of such relocation
the cost thereof shall be ascertained and paid by the state out of trunk highway funds;
provided, however, the amount to be paid by the state for such reimbursement shall not
exceed the amount on which the federal government bases its reimbursement for said
interstate system.

(b) deleted text begin Notwithstanding paragraph (a), deleted text end new text begin A high-voltage transmission line that receives a route
permit under chapter 216E new text end on or after deleted text begin January deleted text end new text begin July new text end 1, 2024, deleted text begin any entity that receives a route
permit under chapter deleted text end deleted text begin 216E deleted text end deleted text begin for a high-voltage transmission line necessary to interconnect
an electric power generating facility deleted text end is not eligible for relocation reimbursement deleted text begin unless the
entity directly, or through its members or agents, provides retail electric service in this state deleted text end new text begin
under this subdivision new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to applications for a route permit for a high-voltage transmission line filed with the
commission on or after that date.
new text end