HF 5488

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 05/20/2024 10:10am

A bill for an act
relating to transit; establishing a pilot program for free transit service for certain
students, educational staff, and attendees of athletic events; requiring a report;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin FREE TRANSIT SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Athletic event" means an in-person sports game, match, or activity involving athletic
skill of the players.
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new text begin (c) "Council" means the Metropolitan Council.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Pilot program" means the free transit service pilot program under this section.
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new text begin (e) "Qualifying student or staff member" means an individual who is:
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new text begin (1) a public or nonpublic school student in grades 9 through 12;
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new text begin (2) a student attending a public or private accredited postsecondary institution in
Minnesota; or
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new text begin (3) a teacher or staff member at a school or postsecondary institution that serves students
specified under clause (1) or (2).
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new text begin (f) "Regular route transit" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.385,
subdivision 1.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Pilot program established. new text end

new text begin (a) The council must establish a pilot program for
transit service free of charge as provided in this section. The pilot program must operate
from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.
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new text begin (b) The requirements under this section apply to operators of regular route transit (1)
receiving financial assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, or (2) operating
under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.405, subdivision 12.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Transit service for students and educational staff. new text end

new text begin During the pilot program
period, the council must provide regular route transit free of charge for a qualifying student
or staff member who presents a valid photographic identification card from the school or
postsecondary institution.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Transit service for athletic events. new text end

new text begin (a) The council must seek to enter into
separate agreements with professional sports teams and postsecondary institutions for transit
service under the pilot program. Each agreement must specify a transit service cost allocation
among the sports team or postsecondary institution, the council, and the state. An agreement
that includes cost allocation from state sources of funds must provide for funding from an
alternative source absent an appropriation in law for purposes of agreements under the pilot
program.
new text end

new text begin (b) During the pilot program period, the council must provide regular route transit free
of charge for a person who exhibits a ticket, whether in physical or electronic form, for
entrance to an athletic event that:
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new text begin (1) includes at least one event participant that:
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new text begin (i) is a professional sports team in this state or is a sports team of a public or private
accredited postsecondary institution in this state; and
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new text begin (ii) has entered into an agreement with the council as provided in paragraph (a); and
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new text begin (2) takes place on the day in which transit service under this subdivision is being provided.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By March 1, 2026, the council must submit a report on the pilot program
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over transportation policy and finance.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; FREE TRANSIT SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the Metropolitan
Council for purposes of the free transit pilot program under section 1. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
new text end