HF 4917

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/13/2024 12:17pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing a grant program for county pilot projects
that improve access to dynamic transportation options; requiring reports;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin PILOT PROJECTS FOR COUNTIES TO IMPROVE DYNAMIC
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS; GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation must establish a program to award grants to five
to ten counties to fund pilot projects that improve dynamic transportation options for
residents. The commissioner must establish a process for counties to apply for a grant under
this section and a process for selecting the projects. The projects must be selected and the
grants awarded by December 1, 2024.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must select pilot projects that:
new text end

new text begin (1) improve access to nonfixed route transportation options;
new text end

new text begin (2) allow for flexibility in scheduling rides; and
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new text begin (3) leverage existing programs, resources, or private sector businesses in the county.
new text end

new text begin (c) Pilot projects that are eligible for the grants include but are not limited to:
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new text begin (1) integrating existing transportation and ridesharing systems in the county;
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new text begin (2) establishing or contracting for ridesharing networks;
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new text begin (3) incentivizing or subsidizing the use of private companies, such as transportation
network companies or taxis, to provide transportation;
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new text begin (4) establishing or expanding programs that use volunteer drivers; and
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new text begin (5) expanding current dial-a-ride options to include additional service.
new text end

new text begin (d) Metropolitan counties, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision
4, are not eligible for grants made under this section.
new text end

new text begin (e) By February 1, 2025, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs, ranking
minority members, and staff of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
transportation. The report must include a description of the process used to select the projects,
a description of all projects submitted, a list of the projects selected, and the amount awarded
to each project selected.
new text end

new text begin (f) Counties that receive a grant for a pilot project under this section must submit a report
to the commissioner of transportation by December 31, 2025. The report must include a
description of the pilot project, how the funds were used, and a description of how the pilot
project met the goals described in paragraph (b). By February 1, 2026, the commissioner
must compile the county reports into a single report and submit the report to the chairs,
ranking minority members, and staff of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
transportation.
new text end

new text begin (g) For purposes of this section, "staff" means those employees who are identified in
any of the following roles for the legislative committees: committee administrator, committee
legislative assistant, caucus research, fiscal analysis, counsel, or nonpartisan research.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of transportation for grants under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end