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:
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(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.
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(b) The commissioner must select pilot projects that:
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(1) improve access to nonfixed route transportation options;
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(2) allow for flexibility in scheduling rides; and
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(3) leverage existing programs, resources, or private sector businesses in the county.
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(c) Pilot projects that are eligible for the grants include but are not limited to:
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(1) integrating existing transportation and ridesharing systems in the county;
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(2) establishing or contracting for ridesharing networks;
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(3) incentivizing or subsidizing the use of private companies, such as transportation
network companies or taxis, to provide transportation;
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(4) establishing or expanding programs that use volunteer drivers; and
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(5) expanding current dial-a-ride options to include additional service.
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(d) Metropolitan counties, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision
4, are not eligible for grants made under this section.
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(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.
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(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.
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(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.
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$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.
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