as introduced - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to the organization and operation of state 1.3 government; appropriating money for the department of 1.4 transportation and other agencies with certain 1.5 conditions; regulating certain activities and 1.6 practices; providing for fees; establishing revolving 1.7 account; requiring a study; amending Minnesota 1.8 Statutes 1996, sections 16B.335, subdivision 1; 1.9 168.011, subdivision 9; 168.018; 168A.29, subdivision 1.10 1; 169.974, subdivision 2; 171.06, subdivision 2a; 1.11 171.13, by adding a subdivision; 173.13, subdivision 1.12 4; 296.16, subdivision 1; 360.015, by adding a 1.13 subdivision; 360.017, subdivision 1; and 457A.04, 1.14 subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in 1.15 Minnesota Statutes, chapter 299A. 1.16 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.17 ARTICLE 1 1.18 APPROPRIATIONS 1.19 Section 1. [TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS.] 1.20 The sums shown in the columns marked "APPROPRIATIONS" are 1.21 appropriated from the general fund, or another named fund, to 1.22 the agencies and for the purposes specified in this act, to be 1.23 available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The 1.24 figures "1997," "1998," and "1999," where used in this act, mean 1.25 that the appropriation or appropriations listed under them are 1.26 available for the year ending June 30, 1997, June 30, 1998, or 1.27 June 30, 1999, respectively. If the figures are not used, the 1.28 appropriations are available for the year ending June 30, 1998, 1.29 or June 30, 1999, respectively. The term "first year" means the 1.30 year ending June 30, 1998, and the term "second year" means the 2.1 year ending June 30, 1999. Appropriations for the year ending 2.2 June 30, 1997, are in addition to appropriations made in 2.3 previous years. 2.4 SUMMARY BY FUND 2.5 1997 1998 1999 TOTAL 2.6 General $ 226,000 $ 77,010,000 $ 73,748,000 $150,984,000 2.7 Airports 18,016,000 18,078,000 36,094,000 2.8 C.S.A.H. 318,289,000 327,512,000 645,801,000 2.9 Highway User 14,199,000 14,269,000 28,468,000 2.10 M.S.A.S. 96,580,000 99,264,000 195,844,000 2.11 Special Revenue 912,000 927,000 1,839,000 2.12 Trunk 2.13 Highway 9,000,000 936,783,000 936,772,000 1,882,555,000 2.14 TOTAL $ 9,226,000 $1,461,789,000 $1,470,570,000 $2,941,585,000 2.15 APPROPRIATIONS 2.16 Available for the Year 2.17 Ending June 30 2.18 1997 1998 1999 2.19 Sec. 2. TRANSPORTATION 2.20 Subdivision 1. Total 2.21 Appropriation $ 9,000,000 $1,309,474,000 $1,319,920,000 2.22 The appropriations in this section are 2.23 from the trunk highway fund, except 2.24 when another fund is named. 2.25 Summary by Fund 2.26 1997 1998 1999 2.27 General 15,744,000 14,437,000 2.28 Airports 17,966,000 18,028,000 2.29 C.S.A.H. 318,289,000 327,512,000 2.30 M.S.A.S. 96,580,000 99,264,000 2.31 Trunk Highway 9,000,000 861,720,000 860,879,000 2.32 The amounts that may be spent from this 2.33 appropriation for each program are 2.34 specified in the following subdivisions. 2.35 Subd. 2. Aeronautics 18,296,000 17,958,000 2.36 Summary by Fund 2.37 Airports 17,896,000 17,958,000 2.38 General 400,000 -0- 2.39 The amounts that may be spent from this 2.40 appropriation for each activity are as 2.41 follows: 3.1 (a) Airport Development and Assistance 3.2 1998 1999 3.3 12,948,000 12,948,000 3.4 $12,846,000 the first year and 3.5 $12,846,000 the second year are for 3.6 navigational aids, construction grants, 3.7 and maintenance grants. If the 3.8 appropriation for either year is 3.9 insufficient, the appropriation for the 3.10 other year is available for it. 3.11 These appropriations must be spent in 3.12 accordance with Minnesota Statutes, 3.13 section 360.305, subdivision 4. 3.14 $12,000 the first year and $12,000 the 3.15 second year are for maintenance of the 3.16 Pine Creek Airport. 3.17 $90,000 the first year and $90,000 the 3.18 second year are for air service grants. 3.19 (b) Aviation Support 3.20 4,880,000 4,941,000 3.21 $65,000 the first year and $65,000 the 3.22 second year are for the civil air 3.23 patrol. 3.24 $200,000 the first year and $200,000 3.25 the second year are to assist 3.26 municipalities to initiate, enhance, 3.27 and market scheduled air service at 3.28 their airports. 3.29 (c) Air Transportation Services 3.30 Summary by Fund 3.31 Airports 68,000 69,000 3.32 General 400,000 -0- 3.33 $400,000 the first year is for 3.34 refurbishing a federal surplus jet 3.35 airplane for state ownership and use. 3.36 Subd. 3. Transit 15,248,000 14,337,000 3.37 Summary by Fund 3.38 General 14,937,000 14,021,000 3.39 Trunk Highway 311,000 316,000 3.40 The amounts that may be spent from this 3.41 appropriation for each activity are as 3.42 follows: 3.43 (a) Greater Minnesota Transit 3.44 Assistance 3.45 13,556,000 13,556,000 3.46 This appropriation is from the general 3.47 fund. Any unencumbered balance the 3.48 first year does not cancel but is 4.1 available for the second year. 4.2 (b) Transit Administration 4.3 767,000 781,000 4.4 Summary by Fund 4.5 General 456,000 465,000 4.6 Trunk Highway 311,000 316,000 4.7 (c) Access to Jobs and Training 4.8 in Greater Minnesota 4.9 925,000 -0- 4.10 This appropriation is from the general 4.11 fund. 4.12 The commissioner shall make grants 4.13 under this subdivision to counties 4.14 located outside the metropolitan area 4.15 and to eligible recipients of the 4.16 public transit subsidy program under 4.17 Minnesota Statutes, section 174.24, 4.18 subdivision 2, to facilitate the 4.19 transition between public assistance 4.20 and employment. Grant recipients under 4.21 this subdivision shall, to the greatest 4.22 extent possible, seek federal or 4.23 private sector funding to transport 4.24 economically disadvantaged persons to 4.25 jobs and employment-related activities, 4.26 including child care facilities. 4.27 Recipients of grants from this 4.28 appropriation may spend the grants on 4.29 the following activities: 4.30 (1) providing transportation service or 4.31 arranging for service by contract with 4.32 a transportation provider; 4.33 (2) enhancing existing public transit 4.34 service; 4.35 (3) providing full or partial bus fare 4.36 reimbursement; 4.37 (4) facilitating employer efforts to 4.38 provide or coordinate transportation 4.39 services; 4.40 (5) coordinating transportation service 4.41 already being provided; 4.42 (6) providing or contracting for 4.43 transportation links between public 4.44 transportation routes and major 4.45 employment locations; and 4.46 (7) providing, through other programs, 4.47 cost-effective transportation to the 4.48 target population. 4.49 This appropriation is available until 4.50 spent and does not cancel. 4.51 Subd. 4. Railroads and Waterways 1,452,000 1,484,000 5.1 Summary by Fund 5.2 General 247,000 253,000 5.3 Trunk Highway 1,205,000 1,231,000 5.4 Subd. 5. Motor Carrier Regulation 2,437,000 2,487,000 5.5 Summary by Fund 5.6 General 110,000 113,000 5.7 Trunk Highway 2,327,000 2,374,000 5.8 Subd. 6. Local Roads 414,869,000 426,776,000 5.9 Summary by Fund 5.10 C.S.A.H. 318,289,000 327,512,000 5.11 M.S.A.S. 96,580,000 99,264,000 5.12 The amounts that may be spent from this 5.13 appropriation for each activity are as 5.14 follows: 5.15 (a) County State Aids 5.16 318,289,000 327,512,000 5.17 This appropriation is from the county 5.18 state-aid highway fund and is available 5.19 until spent. 5.20 (b) Municipal State Aids 5.21 96,580,000 99,264,000 5.22 This appropriation is from the 5.23 municipal state-aid street fund and is 5.24 available until spent. 5.25 If an appropriation for either county 5.26 state aids or municipal state aids does 5.27 not exhaust the balance in the fund 5.28 from which it is made in the year for 5.29 which it is made, the commissioner of 5.30 finance, upon request of the 5.31 commissioner of transportation, shall 5.32 notify the chair of the transportation 5.33 budget division of the senate and the 5.34 chair of the committee on ways and 5.35 means of the house of representatives 5.36 of the amount of the remainder and 5.37 shall then add that amount to the 5.38 appropriation. The amount added is 5.39 appropriated for the purposes of county 5.40 state aids or municipal state aids, as 5.41 appropriate. 5.42 Subd. 7. Local Bridge 5.43 Replacement and Rehabilitation 5.44 The appropriation of $7,631,000 in Laws 5.45 1994, chapter 643, section 15, 5.46 subdivision 2, for the Bloomington 5.47 ferry bridge is reduced to $5,131,000 5.48 and the appropriation of $12,445,000 in 5.49 Laws 1994, chapter 643, section 15, 5.50 subdivision 4, for local bridge 5.51 replacement and rehabilitation is 6.1 increased to $14,945,000. 6.2 Subd. 8. State Roads 9,000,000 807,214,000 817,612,000 6.3 Summary by Fund 6.4 1997 1998 1999 6.5 General 9,000 9,000 6.6 Trunk Highway 9,000,000 807,205,000 817,603,000 6.7 The amounts that may be spent from this 6.8 appropriation for each activity are as 6.9 follows: 6.10 (a) State Road Construction 6.11 9,000,000 445,822,000 445,838,000 6.12 It is estimated that these 6.13 appropriations will be funded as 6.14 follows: 6.15 Federal Highway Aid 6.16 225,000,000 225,000,000 6.17 Highway User Taxes 6.18 220,822,000 220,838,000 6.19 The commissioner of transportation 6.20 shall notify the chair of the 6.21 transportation budget division of the 6.22 senate and chair of the committee on 6.23 ways and means of the house of 6.24 representatives quarterly of any events 6.25 that should cause these estimates to 6.26 change. 6.27 This appropriation is for the actual 6.28 construction, reconstruction, and 6.29 improvement of trunk highways. This 6.30 includes the cost of actual payment to 6.31 landowners for lands acquired for 6.32 highway right-of-way, payment to 6.33 lessees, interest subsidies, and 6.34 relocation expenses. 6.35 The appropriation for fiscal year 1997 6.36 is for state road construction and is 6.37 added to the appropriations in Laws 6.38 1995, chapter 265, article 2, section 6.39 2, subdivision 7, clause (a). 6.40 Of this appropriation, up to 6.41 $15,000,000 the first year and up to 6.42 $15,000,000 the second year may be 6.43 transferred by the commissioner to the 6.44 trunk highway revolving loan account if 6.45 this account is created in the trunk 6.46 highway fund. 6.47 The commissioner shall identify at 6.48 least three appropriate trunk highway 6.49 bridges in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 6.50 on which to demonstrate alternative 6.51 polymer bridge wrap processes. The 6.52 commissioner shall report to the 6.53 legislature by February 1, 2000, on the 7.1 results of utilization of polymer 7.2 bridge wrap and its ability to provide 7.3 structurally sound preventive 7.4 maintenance, strengthen bridges beyond 7.5 their original construction 7.6 specifications, and facilitate 7.7 necessary maintenance in a timely and 7.8 cost-effective manner. 7.9 The commissioner of transportation may 7.10 receive money covering other shares of 7.11 the cost of partnership projects. 7.12 These receipts are appropriated to the 7.13 commissioner for these projects. 7.14 Before proceeding with a project, or a 7.15 series of projects on a single highway, 7.16 with a cost exceeding $10,000,000, the 7.17 commissioner shall consider the 7.18 feasibility of alternative means of 7.19 financing the project or series of 7.20 projects, including but not limited to 7.21 congestion pricing, tolls, mileage 7.22 pricing, and public-private 7.23 partnerships. 7.24 (b) Highway Debt Service 7.25 15,161,000 13,539,000 7.26 $5,951,000 the first year and 7.27 $5,403,000 the second year are for 7.28 transfer to the state bond fund. 7.29 If this appropriation is insufficient 7.30 to make all transfers required in the 7.31 year for which it is made, the 7.32 commissioner of finance shall notify 7.33 the committee on state government 7.34 finance of the senate and the committee 7.35 on ways and means of the house of 7.36 representatives of the amount of the 7.37 deficiency and shall then transfer that 7.38 amount under the statutory open 7.39 appropriation. 7.40 Any excess appropriation must be 7.41 canceled to the trunk highway fund. 7.42 (c) Research and Investment Management 7.43 11,606,000 11,791,000 7.44 $600,000 the first year and $600,000 7.45 the second year are available for 7.46 grants for transportation studies 7.47 outside the metropolitan area for 7.48 transportation studies to identify 7.49 critical concerns, problems, and 7.50 issues. These grants are available to 7.51 (1) regional development commissions, 7.52 and (2) in regions where no regional 7.53 development commission is functioning, 7.54 joint-powers boards established under 7.55 agreement of two or more political 7.56 subdivisions in the region to exercise 7.57 the planning functions of a regional 7.58 development commission, and (3) in 7.59 regions where no regional development 7.60 commission or joint powers board is 7.61 functioning, the department's district 8.1 office for that region. 8.2 $216,000 the first year and $216,000 8.3 the second year are available for 8.4 grants to metropolitan planning 8.5 organizations outside the seven-county 8.6 metropolitan area. 8.7 $154,000 the first year and $181,000 8.8 the second year are for development of 8.9 an upgraded transportation information 8.10 system for making investment decisions. 8.11 $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the 8.12 second year are for a transportation 8.13 research contingent account to finance 8.14 research projects that are reimbursable 8.15 from the federal government or from 8.16 other sources. If the appropriation 8.17 for either year is insufficient, the 8.18 appropriation for the other year is 8.19 available for it. 8.20 (d) Central Engineering Services 8.21 56,593,000 57,384,000 8.22 Of these appropriations, $2,190,000 the 8.23 first year and $2,190,000 the second 8.24 year are for scientific equipment. If 8.25 the appropriation for either year is 8.26 insufficient, the appropriation for the 8.27 other year is available for it. 8.28 (e) Design and Construction Engineering 8.29 69,445,000 70,879,000 8.30 (f) State Road Operations 8.31 202,331,000 205,403,000 8.32 $11,689,000 the first year and 8.33 $11,689,000 the second year are for 8.34 road equipment. If the appropriation 8.35 for either year is insufficient, the 8.36 appropriation for the other year is 8.37 available for it. 8.38 $1,790,000 each year is for safety 8.39 initiatives related to the highway 8.40 helper program, traffic and incident 8.41 management, accident analysis, and 8.42 other safety initiatives. 8.43 $805,000 each year is for the Orion 8.44 intelligent transportation system 8.45 research project. 8.46 (g) Electronic Communications 8.47 6,256,000 12,778,000 8.48 Summary by Fund 8.49 General 9,000 9,000 8.50 Trunk Highway 6,247,000 12,769,000 8.51 $9,000 the first year and $9,000 the 8.52 second year are from the general fund 9.1 for equipment and operation of the 9.2 Roosevelt signal tower for Lake of the 9.3 Woods weather broadcasting. 9.4 $1,730,000 the first year and 9.5 $8,170,000 the second year are for the 9.6 purchase of ancillary equipment for the 9.7 800 MHZ system and for personnel 9.8 necessary to develop, install, and 9.9 operate the system. 9.10 Subd. 9. General Support 38,512,000 39,466,000 9.11 Summary by Fund 9.12 General 41,000 41,000 9.13 Airports 70,000 70,000 9.14 Trunk Highway 38,401,000 39,355,000 9.15 The amounts that may be spent from this 9.16 appropriation for each activity are as 9.17 follows: 9.18 (a) General Management 9.19 25,599,000 25,924,000 9.20 $500,000 the first year and $500,000 9.21 the second year are for technical 9.22 training for highway maintenance and 9.23 bridge workers and highway technicians. 9.24 $388,000 the first year and $212,000 9.25 the second year are for improvements to 9.26 the inventory and other administrative 9.27 systems. 9.28 $230,000 the first year and $230,000 9.29 the second year are for information 9.30 resource management. 9.31 Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 9.32 sections 160.84 to 160.92, the 9.33 commissioner of transportation is 9.34 authorized to implement a demonstration 9.35 congestion-pricing project involving 9.36 I-394 trunk highway facilities to 9.37 determine the feasibility of charging 9.38 user fees as allowed by section 1012(b) 9.39 of the Intermodal Surface 9.40 Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, 9.41 Public Law Number 102-240 (ISTEA). A 9.42 demonstration congestion-pricing 9.43 project implemented under this 9.44 paragraph may not be continued longer 9.45 than two years after the date of its 9.46 implementation. For the purposes of 9.47 this demonstration project, the 9.48 commissioner is exempt from any 9.49 rulemaking requirements. The 9.50 commissioner of transportation must 9.51 obtain prior approval for the project 9.52 from the metropolitan council. The 9.53 metropolitan council must hold a public 9.54 hearing on the project as proposed by 9.55 the commissioner of transportation 9.56 before granting its approval. All fees 9.57 collected by the commissioner must be 9.58 deposited in the trunk highway fund and 10.1 are appropriated to implement and 10.2 administer this demonstration project. 10.3 (b) General Services 10.4 12,913,000 13,542,000 10.5 Summary by Fund 10.6 General 41,000 41,000 10.7 Airports 70,000 70,000 10.8 Trunk Highway 12,802,000 13,431,000 10.9 $1,500,000 the first year and 10.10 $1,500,000 the second year are for data 10.11 processing development. If the 10.12 appropriation for either year is 10.13 insufficient, the appropriation for the 10.14 other year is available for it. 10.15 The commissioner of transportation 10.16 shall manage the department of 10.17 transportation in such a manner as to 10.18 provide seasonal employees of the 10.19 department with the maximum feasible 10.20 amount of employment security 10.21 consistent with the efficient delivery 10.22 of department programs. 10.23 Subd. 10. Buildings 12,271,000 -0- 10.24 Of this amount, $6,771,000 the first 10.25 year is for ongoing operational 10.26 building needs. 10.27 The appropriation of $644,000 in Laws 10.28 1996, chapter 455, article 2, section 10.29 2, clause (5), for the Deer Lake 10.30 equipment storage building, is canceled 10.31 and is reappropriated for a Virginia 10.32 headquarters building addition for the 10.33 state patrol. 10.34 $5,500,000 the first year is for 10.35 construction of a new truck station 10.36 facility near Cedar Avenue and 66th 10.37 Street in Richfield. 10.38 Subd. 11. Transfers 10.39 The commissioner of transportation with 10.40 the approval of the commissioner of 10.41 finance may transfer unencumbered 10.42 balances among the appropriations from 10.43 the trunk highway fund and the state 10.44 airports fund made in this section. No 10.45 transfer may be made from the 10.46 appropriation for state road 10.47 construction. No transfer may be made 10.48 from the appropriations for debt 10.49 service to any other appropriation. 10.50 Transfers may not be made between funds. 10.51 Transfers must be reported immediately 10.52 to the chair of the transportation 10.53 budget division of the senate and the 10.54 chair of the committee on ways and 10.55 means of the house of representatives. 10.56 Subd. 12. Use of State Road 11.1 Construction Appropriations 11.2 Any money appropriated to the 11.3 commissioner of transportation for 11.4 state road construction for any fiscal 11.5 year before fiscal year 1999 is 11.6 available to the commissioner during 11.7 fiscal years 1998 and 1999 to the 11.8 extent that the commissioner spends the 11.9 money on the state road construction 11.10 project for which the money was 11.11 originally encumbered during the fiscal 11.12 year for which it was appropriated. 11.13 The commissioner of transportation 11.14 shall report to the commissioner of 11.15 finance by August 1 of each fiscal 11.16 year, on a form the commissioner of 11.17 finance provides, on expenditures made 11.18 during the previous fiscal year that 11.19 are authorized by this section. 11.20 Sec. 3. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL 11.21 TRANSIT 51,351,000 49,351,000 11.22 Subdivision 1. Access to Jobs 11.23 and Training 2,000,000 -0- 11.24 The metropolitan council shall make 11.25 grants under this subdivision to 11.26 counties located in the metropolitan 11.27 area to facilitate the transition 11.28 between public assistance and 11.29 employment. Counties receiving grants 11.30 under this subdivision shall, to the 11.31 greatest extent possible, seek federal 11.32 or private sector funding to transport 11.33 economically disadvantaged persons to 11.34 jobs and employment-related activities, 11.35 including child care facilities. 11.36 Counties receiving grants from this 11.37 appropriation may spend the grants on 11.38 the following activities: 11.39 (1) providing transportation service or 11.40 arranging for service by contract with 11.41 a transportation provider; 11.42 (2) providing full or partial bus fare 11.43 reimbursement; 11.44 (3) facilitating employer efforts to 11.45 provide or coordinate transportation 11.46 services; 11.47 (4) coordinating transportation service 11.48 already being provided; 11.49 (5) providing or contracting for 11.50 transportation links between public 11.51 transportation routes and major 11.52 employment locations; and 11.53 (6) providing, through other programs, 11.54 cost-effective transportation to the 11.55 target population. 11.56 This appropriation is available until 11.57 spent and does not cancel. 12.1 Subd. 2. School 12.2 Transportation 12.3 (a) The metropolitan council, the 12.4 school board of special school district 12.5 No. 1, Minneapolis, and the school 12.6 board of independent school district 12.7 No. 625, St. Paul, in consultation with 12.8 an advisory board, shall develop a 12.9 school transportation plan, the goal of 12.10 which is to make available school 12.11 transportation through the metropolitan 12.12 council's public transit system, at no 12.13 cost to students, to no fewer than 75 12.14 percent of the students transported by 12.15 Minneapolis public schools and no fewer 12.16 than 75 percent of the students 12.17 transported by St. Paul public schools, 12.18 in grades 9 to 12, during the 1998-1999 12.19 school year. The plan shall consider 12.20 the feasibility of extending the plan, 12.21 for 1998-1999 implementation or in 12.22 subsequent years, to students in grades 12.23 7 and 8. 12.24 (b) The metropolitan council and the 12.25 school boards shall appoint, convene, 12.26 and consult with an advisory board 12.27 concerning the development of the 12.28 school transportation plan. The 12.29 advisory board shall include, without 12.30 limitation, the school transportation 12.31 directors from the Minneapolis and St. 12.32 Paul school districts; a member of the 12.33 Amalgamated Transit Union; secondary 12.34 students and parents of secondary 12.35 students who use school transportation 12.36 in those school districts; a 12.37 representative of the department of 12.38 public safety; representatives of 12.39 nonpublic schools located within the 12.40 districts; a representative of the 12.41 department of children, families, and 12.42 learning; and administrators of 12.43 secondary schools within the 12.44 districts. The advisory board expires 12.45 upon submission of the report required 12.46 by paragraph (d). 12.47 (c) The transportation plan must 12.48 include, without being limited to: 12.49 (1) a plan for service of the maximum 12.50 possible number of students, with a 12.51 goal of transporting no less than 75 12.52 percent of the students in grades 9 to 12.53 12 who are transported in each 12.54 district, with a minimum number of new 12.55 transit routes; 12.56 (2) a recommendation for school day 12.57 start and end times to optimize use of 12.58 public transit for school 12.59 transportation; 12.60 (3) an analysis of availability of 12.61 public transit for special education 12.62 students; open enrollment students; 12.63 students enrolled in nonpublic schools, 12.64 charter schools, post-secondary 12.65 enrollment options programs, area 13.1 learning centers, and other 13.2 nontraditional programs; and students 13.3 participating in school activities 13.4 before or after the school day; 13.5 (4) a description of the quality of 13.6 service to be available to students, 13.7 including maximum length of ride, 13.8 number of transfers required, and 13.9 maximum distance between home or school 13.10 and bus stop; 13.11 (5) a recommendation concerning 13.12 policies applicable to fares for 13.13 student ridership throughout the school 13.14 day and identification by public 13.15 transit drivers of students entitled to 13.16 free school transportation; 13.17 (6) a plan to extend the goals and 13.18 requirements of the state's school 13.19 transportation safety program to the 13.20 transportation of students on public 13.21 transit, to the maximum feasible 13.22 extent; 13.23 (7) a method for communicating 13.24 information to students whose school 13.25 transportation will be provided by 13.26 public transit, and their parents and 13.27 guardians, of the school transportation 13.28 plan prior to any implementation and 13.29 identification of a contact person to 13.30 answer resulting questions; 13.31 (8) recommendations concerning any 13.32 legislation required to implement the 13.33 school transportation plan; 13.34 (9) an analysis of the cost to the 13.35 metropolitan council of providing the 13.36 service outlined in the school 13.37 transportation plan; 13.38 (10) an analysis of the cost to the 13.39 Minneapolis and St. Paul school 13.40 districts for providing transportation 13.41 and transportation-related services to 13.42 students in grades 9 to 12 under the 13.43 school transportation plan developed as 13.44 provided in paragraph (a), which must 13.45 not exceed the projected cost, as 13.46 determined by the districts, of 13.47 providing equivalent transportation and 13.48 transportation-related services using 13.49 district-provided transportation; 13.50 (11) a description of the services that 13.51 the districts will be able to 13.52 discontinue by virtue of the 13.53 implementation of the school 13.54 transportation plan, and the financial 13.55 impact to the school districts of 13.56 discontinuing these services; and 13.57 (12) an analysis of the safety 13.58 implications of the plan. 13.59 (d) The metropolitan council and school 13.60 boards for the Minneapolis and St. Paul 13.61 school districts shall report the 14.1 school transportation plan to the 14.2 senate children, families and learning 14.3 K-12 committee and transportation 14.4 committee, and to the house of 14.5 representatives education committee and 14.6 transportation and transit committee 14.7 before January 30, 1998. 14.8 Sec. 4. PUBLIC SAFETY 14.9 Subdivision 1. Total 14.10 Appropriation 226,000 99,072,000 100,057,000 14.11 Summary by Fund 14.12 1997 1998 1999 14.13 General 226,000 9,915,000 9,960,000 14.14 Trunk 14.15 Highway -0- 74,196,000 75,026,000 14.16 Highway User -0- 14,049,000 14,114,000 14.17 Special 14.18 Revenue -0- 912,000 927,000 14.19 Subd. 2. Administration 14.20 and Related Services 11,806,000 11,898,000 14.21 Summary by Fund 14.22 General 3,951,000 3,937,000 14.23 Trunk Highway 6,490,000 6,616,000 14.24 Highway User 1,365,000 1,345,000 14.25 $326,000 the first year and $326,000 14.26 the second year are for payment of 14.27 public safety officer survivor benefits 14.28 under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.29 299A.44. If the appropriation for 14.30 either year is insufficient, the 14.31 appropriation for the other year is 14.32 available for it. 14.33 $1,128,000 the first year and 14.34 $1,128,000 the second year from the 14.35 general fund and $575,000 the first 14.36 year and $575,000 the second year from 14.37 the trunk highway fund are to enhance 14.38 the criminal justice computer systems. 14.39 $292,000 the first year and $292,000 14.40 the second year are for soft body armor 14.41 reimbursements under Minnesota 14.42 Statutes, section 299A.38. 14.43 $50,000 the first year from the highway 14.44 user tax distribution fund is for the 14.45 public awareness campaign on vehicle 14.46 forfeiture and administrative plate 14.47 impoundment required by Senate File No. 14.48 285, if enacted. This appropriation 14.49 cancels if Senate File No. 285 is not 14.50 enacted. 14.51 $1,851,000 the first year and 14.52 $1,830,000 the second year are 15.1 appropriated from the general fund for 15.2 transfer by the commissioner of finance 15.3 to the trunk highway fund on January 1, 15.4 1998, and January 1, 1999, 15.5 respectively, in order to reimburse the 15.6 trunk highway fund for expenses not 15.7 related to the fund. These represent 15.8 amounts appropriated out of the trunk 15.9 highway fund for general fund purposes 15.10 in the administration and related 15.11 services program. 15.12 $580,000 the first year and $610,000 15.13 the second year are appropriated from 15.14 the highway user tax distribution fund 15.15 for transfer by the commissioner of 15.16 finance to the trunk highway fund on 15.17 January 1, 1998, and January 1, 1999, 15.18 respectively, in order to reimburse the 15.19 trunk highway fund for expenses not 15.20 related to the fund. These represent 15.21 amounts appropriated out of the trunk 15.22 highway fund for highway user tax 15.23 distribution fund purposes in the 15.24 administration and related services 15.25 program. 15.26 $716,000 the first year and $716,000 15.27 the second year are appropriated from 15.28 the highway user tax distribution fund 15.29 for transfer by the commissioner of 15.30 finance to the general fund on January 15.31 1, 1998, and January 1, 1999, 15.32 respectively, in order to reimburse the 15.33 general fund for expenses not related 15.34 to the fund. These represent amounts 15.35 appropriated out of the general fund 15.36 for operation of the criminal justice 15.37 data network related to driver and 15.38 motor vehicle licensing. 15.39 Subd. 3. State Patrol 226,000 51,336,000 51,691,000 15.40 Summary by Fund 15.41 1997 1998 1999 15.42 General 226,000 2,179,000 2,155,000 15.43 Trunk Highway 49,067,000 49,446,000 15.44 Highway User 90,000 90,000 15.45 Of the appropriation for fiscal year 15.46 1997, $76,000 is for transfer to the 15.47 trunk highway fund and $150,000 is to 15.48 reimburse the state patrol for general 15.49 fund expenditures to cover the costs of 15.50 deploying state patrol troopers to the 15.51 city of Minneapolis to assist the city 15.52 in combating violent crime. 15.53 $600,000 the first year and $1,200,000 15.54 the second year are appropriated from 15.55 the trunk highway fund to implement 15.56 wage increases for state patrol 15.57 troopers, trooper 1s, and corporals. 15.58 The wage adjustments are based on an 15.59 internal Hay study conducted by the 15.60 department of employee relations. 16.1 $1,675,000 the first year and $424,000 16.2 the second year from the trunk highway 16.3 fund and $93,000 the first year and 16.4 $22,000 the second year from the 16.5 general fund are for the development 16.6 and operational costs of computer-aided 16.7 dispatching, records management, and 16.8 station office automation systems. 16.9 $199,000 the first year and $202,000 16.10 the second year from the general fund 16.11 are for additional capitol complex 16.12 security positions. 16.13 The commissioner of public safety shall 16.14 identify and implement measures to 16.15 increase the representation of females 16.16 and minorities in the state patrol so 16.17 that the trooper population more 16.18 accurately reflects the population 16.19 served by the state patrol. These 16.20 measures must include: 16.21 (1) evaluation of hiring and training 16.22 programs to identify and eliminate any 16.23 biases against underutilized, protected 16.24 groups; 16.25 (2) expansion of outreach programs to 16.26 high schools to include informational 16.27 presentations on law enforcement 16.28 careers and law enforcement degree 16.29 programs; 16.30 (3) intensification of recruitment 16.31 efforts toward qualified members of 16.32 protected groups; 16.33 (4) provision of guidance and support 16.34 to students in law enforcement degree 16.35 programs; 16.36 (5) publication of employment 16.37 opportunities in newspapers with 16.38 substantial readership among protected 16.39 groups; and 16.40 (6) development of other innovative 16.41 ways to promote awareness, acceptance, 16.42 and appreciation for diversity and 16.43 affirmative action in the state patrol. 16.44 The commissioner shall report to the 16.45 senate transportation committee and the 16.46 house of representatives transportation 16.47 and transit committee by January 30, 16.48 1998, on the measures implemented, 16.49 results achieved, progress made in 16.50 reaching affirmative action goals, and 16.51 recommendations for future action. 16.52 Subd. 4. Driver and 16.53 Vehicle Services 34,666,000 35,185,000 16.54 Summary by Fund 16.55 General 3,724,000 3,807,000 16.56 Trunk Highway 18,348,000 18,669,000 16.57 Highway User 12,594,000 12,709,000 17.1 $867,000 the first year and $777,000 17.2 the second year from the highway user 17.3 tax distribution fund are for 17.4 purchasing manufactured license plates 17.5 from the department of corrections. 17.6 $24,000 the first year and $19,000 the 17.7 second year from the trunk highway fund 17.8 are for the costs related to adding 17.9 blood alcohol concentration to drivers' 17.10 records as required by Senate File No. 17.11 285, if enacted. This appropriation 17.12 cancels if Senate File No. 285 is not 17.13 enacted. 17.14 $89,000 the first year and $135,000 the 17.15 second year from the highway user tax 17.16 distribution fund are for implementing 17.17 the plate impoundments required by 17.18 Senate File No. 285, if enacted. This 17.19 appropriation cancels if Senate File 17.20 No. 285 is not enacted. 17.21 Subd. 5. Traffic 17.22 Safety 352,000 356,000 17.23 Summary by Fund 17.24 General 61,000 61,000 17.25 Trunk Highway 291,000 295,000 17.26 Subd. 6. Pipeline Safety 912,000 927,000 17.27 This appropriation is from the pipeline 17.28 safety account in the special revenue 17.29 fund. 17.30 Sec. 5. ADMINISTRATION 25,000 -0- 17.31 This appropriation is from the highway 17.32 user tax distribution fund. The 17.33 commissioner shall spend this 17.34 appropriation for a study by a 17.35 qualified consultant to determine the 17.36 actual percent of all gasoline received 17.37 in and produced or brought into the 17.38 state, except gasoline used for 17.39 aviation purposes, that is being used 17.40 as fuel for snowmobiles in the state. 17.41 The commissioner shall consult with the 17.42 commissioners of revenue, 17.43 transportation, and natural resources 17.44 in preparing the request for proposals 17.45 for the study and in selecting the 17.46 consultant to perform the study. The 17.47 commissioner shall report to the 17.48 legislature on the results of the study 17.49 by February 1, 1998. 17.50 Sec. 6. MINNESOTA SAFETY COUNCIL 67,000 67,000 17.51 This appropriation is from the trunk 17.52 highway fund. 17.53 Sec. 7. GENERAL CONTINGENT 17.54 ACCOUNTS 375,000 375,000 17.55 The appropriations in this section may 17.56 only be spent with the approval of the 18.1 governor after consultation with the 18.2 legislative advisory commission 18.3 pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 18.4 3.30. 18.5 If an appropriation in this section for 18.6 either year is insufficient, the 18.7 appropriation for the other year is 18.8 available for it. 18.9 Summary by Fund 18.10 Trunk Highway 200,000 200,000 18.11 Highway User 125,000 125,000 18.12 Airports 50,000 50,000 18.13 Sec. 8. TORT CLAIMS 600,000 600,000 18.14 To be spent by the commissioner of 18.15 finance. 18.16 This appropriation is from the trunk 18.17 highway fund. 18.18 If the appropriation for either year is 18.19 insufficient, the appropriation for the 18.20 other year is available for it. 18.21 Sec. 9. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 18.22 Any provision making an appropriation for fiscal year 1997 18.23 is effective the day following final enactment. 18.24 ARTICLE 2 18.25 TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT 18.26 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 16B.335, 18.27 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 18.28 Subdivision 1. [CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR REMODELING.] (a) 18.29 The commissioner, or any other recipient to whom an 18.30 appropriation is made to acquire or better public lands or 18.31 buildings or other public improvements of a capital nature, must 18.32 not prepare final plans and specifications for any construction, 18.33 major remodeling, or land acquisition in anticipation of which 18.34 the appropriation was made until the agency that will use the 18.35 project has presented the program plan and cost estimates for 18.36 all elements necessary to complete the project to the chair of 18.37 the senate finance committee and the chair of the house ways and 18.38 means committee and the chairs have made their recommendations, 18.39 and the chair of the house capital investment committee is 18.40 notified. "Construction or major remodeling" means construction 18.41 of a new building or substantial alteration of the exterior 19.1 dimensions or interior configuration of an existing building. 19.2 The presentation must note any significant changes in the work 19.3 that will be done, or in its cost, since the appropriation for 19.4 the project was enacted or from the predesign submittal. The 19.5 program plans and estimates must be presented for review at 19.6 least two weeks before a recommendation is needed. The 19.7 recommendations are advisory only. Failure or refusal to make a 19.8 recommendation is considered a negative recommendation. The 19.9 chairs of the senate finance committee, the house capital 19.10 investment committee, and the house ways and means committee 19.11 must also be notified whenever there is a substantial change in 19.12 a construction or major remodeling project, or in its cost. 19.13 (b) Capital projects exempt from the requirements of this 19.14 section include construction, renovation, or improvements to 19.15 dams, highway rest areas, truck stations, storage facilities not 19.16 consisting primarily of offices or heated work areas, trails, 19.17 bike paths, sewer separation projects, water and wastewater 19.18 facilities, campgrounds, roads, bridges, port development 19.19 projects for which the commissioner of transportation has 19.20 entered into an assistance agreement under section 457A.04, or 19.21 any other capital project with a construction cost of less than 19.22 $200,000. 19.23 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 168.011, 19.24 subdivision 9, is amended to read: 19.25 Subd. 9. [BUS; INTERCITY BUS.] (a) "Bus" means (1) every 19.26 motor vehicle designed for carrying more than 15 passengers 19.27 including the driver and used for transporting persons,and(2) 19.28 every motor vehicle that is (i) designed for carrying more than 19.29 ten passengers including the driver, (ii) used for transporting 19.30 persons, and (iii) owned by a nonprofit organization and not 19.31 operated for hire or for commercial purposes, or (3) every motor 19.32 vehicle certified by the department of transportation as a 19.33 special transportation service provider vehicle and receiving 19.34 reimbursement as provided in section 256B.0625, subdivision 17. 19.35 (b) "Intercity bus" means any bus operating as a common 19.36 passenger carrier over regular routes and between fixed termini, 20.1 but excluding all buses operating wholly within the limits of 20.2 one city, or wholly within two or more contiguous cities, or 20.3 between contiguous cities and a terminus outside the corporate 20.4 limits of such cities, and not more than 20 miles distant 20.5 measured along the fixed route from such corporate limits. 20.6 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 168.018, is 20.7 amended to read: 20.8 168.018 [QUARTERLY REGISTRATION OF FARM TRUCKS.] 20.9 The owner of (1) any farm truck as defined in section 20.10 168.011, subdivision 17, or (2) a truck owned by a retailer who 20.11 is engaged in the intrastate transportation of fertilizer or 20.12 agricultural chemicals directly to a farm for on-farm use within 20.13 a radius of 50 miles of the retailer's business location, may 20.14 elect to register and license thefarmtruck only for one or 20.15 more quarters of a registration year, at a tax of one-fourth of 20.16 the annual tax on the vehicle plus $5 for each quarterly 20.17 registration. The owner may not apply for quarterly 20.18 registration or renewal until seven days before the selected 20.19 quarter or concurrent quarters. The expiration date of a 20.20 registration shall be displayed on the license plate in such a 20.21 manner as the registrar shall direct. Nofarmtruck registered 20.22 on a quarterly basis shall be operated on the public streets and 20.23 highways more than ten days beyond the end of the quarter for 20.24 which it is registered unless the registration has been renewed 20.25 for another quarter or for the remainder of the registration 20.26 year. 20.27 For purposes of this section registration quarters shall 20.28 begin on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. 20.29 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 168A.29, 20.30 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 20.31 Subdivision 1. [AMOUNTS.] (a) The department shall be paid 20.32 the following fees: 20.33 (1) for filing an application for and the issuance of an 20.34 original certificate of title, the sum of $2; 20.35 (2) for each security interest when first noted upon a 20.36 certificate of title, including the concurrent notation of any 21.1 assignment thereof and its subsequent release or satisfaction, 21.2 the sum of $2, except that no fee is due for a security interest 21.3 filed by a public authority under section 168A.05, subdivision 21.4 8; 21.5 (3) for the transfer of the interest of an owner and the 21.6 issuance of a new certificate of title, the sum of $2; 21.7 (4) for each assignment of a security interest when first 21.8 noted on a certificate of title, unless noted concurrently with 21.9 the security interest, the sum of $1; 21.10 (5) for issuing a duplicate certificate of title, the sum 21.11 of $4. 21.12 (b) After June 30, 1994, in addition to each of the fees 21.13 required under paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (3), the 21.14 department shall be paid:21.15(1) from July 1, 1994, to June 30, 1997,$3.50; but then21.16(2) after June 30, 1997, $1. 21.17 The additional fee collected under this paragraph must be 21.18 deposited in thetransportation servicesspecial revenue fund 21.19 and credited to thestate patrolpublic safety motor vehicle 21.20 account established in section299D.10299A.70. 21.21 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 169.974, 21.22 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 21.23 Subd. 2. [LICENSE REQUIREMENTS.] No person shall operate a 21.24 motorcycle on any street or highway without having a valid 21.25 standard driver's license with a two-wheeled vehicle endorsement 21.26 as provided by law. No such two-wheeled vehicle endorsement 21.27 shall be issued unless the person applying therefor has in 21.28 possession a valid two-wheeled vehicle instruction permit as 21.29 provided herein, has passed a written examination and road test 21.30 administered by the department of public safety for such 21.31 endorsement, and, in the case of applicants under 18 years of 21.32 age, shall present a certificate or other evidence of having 21.33 successfully completed an approved two-wheeled vehicle driver's 21.34 safety course in this or another state, in accordance with rules 21.35 promulgated by the state board of education for courses offered 21.36 through the public schools, or rules promulgated by the 22.1 commissioner of public safety for courses offered by a private 22.2 or commercial school or institute. The commissioner of public 22.3 safety may waive the road test for any applicant on determining 22.4 that the applicant possesses a valid license to operate a 22.5 two-wheeled vehicle issued by a jurisdiction that requires a 22.6 comparable road test for license issuance. A two-wheeled 22.7 vehicle instruction permit shall be issued to any person over 16 22.8 years of age, who is in possession of a valid driver's license, 22.9 who is enrolled in an approved two-wheeled vehicle driver's 22.10 safety course, and who has passed a written examination for such 22.11 permit and has paid such fee as the commissioner of public 22.12 safety shall prescribe. A two-wheeled vehicle instruction 22.13 permit shall be effective for45 daysone year, and may be 22.14 renewed under rules to be prescribed by the commissioner of 22.15 public safety. 22.16 No person who is operating by virtue of a two-wheeled 22.17 vehicle instruction permit shall: 22.18 (a) carry any passengers on the streets and highways of 22.19 this state on the motorcycle which the person is operating; 22.20 (b) drive the motorcycle at night time; 22.21 (c) drive the motorcycle on any highway marked by the 22.22 commissioner as an interstate highway pursuant to title 23 of 22.23 the United States Code; or 22.24 (d) drive the motorcycle without wearing protective 22.25 headgear that complies with standards established by the 22.26 commissioner of public safety. 22.27 Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, the 22.28 commissioner of public safety may, however, issue a special 22.29 motorcycle permit, restricted or qualified in such manner as the 22.30 commissioner of public safety shall deem proper, to any person 22.31 demonstrating a need therefor and unable to qualify for a 22.32 standard driver's license. 22.33 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 171.06, 22.34 subdivision 2a, is amended to read: 22.35 Subd. 2a. [TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE ENDORSEMENT FEE 22.36 INCREASED.] (a) The fee for any duplicatedriversdriver's 23.1 license which is obtained for the purpose of adding a 23.2 two-wheeled vehicle endorsement is increased by$16$18.50 for 23.3 each first such duplicate license and $13 for each renewal 23.4 thereof. The additional fee shall be paid into the state 23.5 treasury and credited as follows: 23.6 (1)$8.50$11 of the additional fee for each first 23.7 duplicate license, and $7 of the additional fee for each 23.8 renewal, must be credited to the motorcycle safety fund which is 23.9 hereby created; provided that any fee receipts in excess of 23.10 $750,000 in a fiscal year shall be credited 90 percent to the 23.11 trunk highway fund and ten percent to the general fund, as 23.12 provided in section 171.26. 23.13 (2) The remainder of the additional fee must be credited to 23.14 the general fund. 23.15 (b) All application forms prepared by the commissioner for 23.16 two-wheeled vehicle endorsements shall clearlycontain the23.17information thatstate the amount of the total feecharged for23.18the endorsement, $7that is dedicated to the motorcycle safety 23.19 fund. 23.20 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 171.13, is 23.21 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 23.22 Subd. 6. [INITIAL MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT FEES.] A person 23.23 applying to secure a motorcycle endorsement on the person's 23.24 driver's license shall pay a sum of $21, which includes the fees 23.25 for examination and the applicant's first duplicate license, at 23.26 the place of application. Of this combined fee, $11 must be 23.27 credited according to section 171.06, subdivision 2a, paragraph 23.28 (a), clause (1). 23.29 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 173.13, 23.30 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 23.31 Subd. 4. [FEES.] The annual fee for each such permit or 23.32 renewal thereof shall be as follows: 23.33 (1) If the advertising area of the advertising device does 23.34 not exceed 50 square feet, the fee shall be$25$30. 23.35 (2) If the advertising area exceeds 50 square feet but does 23.36 not exceed 300 square feet, the fee shall be$50$60. 24.1 (3) If the advertising area exceeds 300 square feet, the 24.2 fee shall be$100$120. 24.3 (4) No fee shall be charged for a permit for official signs 24.4 and notices as they are defined in section 173.02, except that a 24.5 fee may be charged for a star city sign erected under section 24.6 173.085. 24.7 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 296.16, 24.8 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 24.9 Subdivision 1. [INTENT; GASOLINE USE.] All gasoline 24.10 received in this state and all gasoline produced in or brought 24.11 into this state except aviation gasoline and marine gasoline 24.12 shall be determined to be intended for use in motor vehicles in 24.13 this state. 24.14 Approximately 1-1/2 percent of all gasoline received in 24.15 this state and 1-1/2 percent of all gasoline produced or brought 24.16 into this state, except gasoline used for aviation purposes, is 24.17 being used as fuel for the operation of motorboats on the waters 24.18 of this state and of the total revenue derived from the 24.19 imposition of the gasoline fuel tax for uses other than for 24.20 aviation purposes, 1-1/2 percent of such revenues is the amount 24.21 of tax on fuel used in motorboats operated on the waters of this 24.22 state. 24.23 Approximatelythree-fourths ofone percent in fiscal year 24.24 1999, and three-fourths of one percent thereafter, of all 24.25 gasoline received in and produced or brought into this state, 24.26 except gasoline used for aviation purposes, is being used as 24.27 fuel for the operation of snowmobiles in this state, and of the 24.28 total revenue derived from the imposition of the gasoline fuel 24.29 tax for uses other than for aviation purposes,three-fourths of24.30 one percent in fiscal year 1999, and three-fourths of one 24.31 percent thereafter, of such revenues is the amount of tax on 24.32 fuel used in snowmobiles operated in this state. 24.33 Approximately 0.15 of one percent of all gasoline received 24.34 in or produced or brought into this state, except gasoline used 24.35 for aviation purposes, is being used for the operation of 24.36 all-terrain vehicles in this state, and of the total revenue 25.1 derived from the imposition of the gasoline fuel tax, 0.15 of 25.2 one percent is the amount of tax on fuel used in all-terrain 25.3 vehicles operated in this state. 25.4 Approximately 0.046 of one percent of all gasoline received 25.5 or produced in or brought into this state, except gasoline used 25.6 for aviation purposes, is being used for the operation of 25.7 off-highway motorcycles in this state, and of the total revenue 25.8 derived from the imposition of the gasoline fuel tax for uses 25.9 other than for aviation purposes, 0.046 of one percent is the 25.10 amount of tax on fuel used in off-highway motorcycles operated 25.11 in this state. 25.12 Approximately .164 of one percent of all gasoline received 25.13 or produced in or brought into this state, except gasoline used 25.14 for aviation purposes, is being used for the off-road operation 25.15 of off-road vehicles, as defined in section 84.797, in this 25.16 state, and of the total revenue derived from the imposition of 25.17 the gasoline fuel tax for uses other than aviation purposes, 25.18 .164 of one percent is the amount of tax on fuel used for 25.19 off-road operation of off-road vehicles in this state. 25.20 Sec. 10. [299A.70] [PUBLIC SAFETY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCOUNT.] 25.21 The public safety motor vehicle account is created in the 25.22 special revenue fund, consisting of the fees collected under 25.23 section 168A.29, subdivision 1, paragraph (b). Money in the 25.24 account is annually appropriated to the commissioner for 25.25 purchasing and equipping department vehicles. 25.26 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 360.015, is 25.27 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 25.28 Subd. 13a. [ASSISTANCE FOR MUNICIPALITY'S AIR 25.29 TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.] The commissioner may render assistance 25.30 to a municipality to initiate and enhance scheduled air service, 25.31 including marketing surveys and promotions. The cost of this 25.32 assistance must be paid out of the state airports fund and from 25.33 legislative appropriations made for that purpose. Money may be 25.34 spent for purposes of this section only with the approval and 25.35 under the supervision of the commissioner. 25.36 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 360.017, 26.1 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 26.2 Subdivision 1. [CREATION; AUTHORIZED DISBURSEMENTS.] (a) 26.3 There is hereby created a fund to be known as the state airports 26.4 fund. The fund shall consist of all money appropriated to it, 26.5 or directed to be paid into it, by the legislature. 26.6 (b) The state airports fund shall be paid out on 26.7 authorization of the commissioner and shall be used: 26.8 (1) to acquire, construct, improve, maintain, and operate 26.9 airports and other air navigation facilitiesand; 26.10 (2) to assist municipalities in the acquisition, 26.11 construction, improvement, and maintenance of airports and other 26.12 air navigation facilities. The fund may also be used; 26.13 (3) to assist municipalities to initiate, enhance, and 26.14 market scheduled air service at their airports; 26.15 (4) to promote interest and safety in aeronautics through 26.16 education and information.; and 26.17 (5) to pay the salaries and expensesinof the department 26.18 of transportation related to aeronautic planning, 26.19 administration, and operationshall be paid from the state26.20airports fund. All allotments of money from the state airports 26.21 fund for salaries and expenses shall be approved by the 26.22 commissioner of finance. 26.23 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 457A.04, 26.24 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 26.25 Subd. 2. [ELIGIBLE COSTS.] (a) An assistance agreement 26.26 must specify those project costs which may be paid in whole or 26.27 in part with assistance from the commissioner. 26.28 (b) Assistance agreements may provide that only the 26.29 following costs may be so paid: 26.30 (1) final engineering costs on a commercial navigation 26.31 facility project; 26.32 (2) capital improvements to a commercial navigation 26.33 facility;and26.34 (3) costs of dredging necessary to open a new commercial 26.35 navigation facility project,; 26.36 (4) costs of providing access to on-shore facilities from 27.1 existing channels maintained by the federal government; 27.2 (5) costs to provide for fleeting operations; and 27.3 (6) costs for disposal of dredged material. 27.4 (c) The following costs may not be paid with assistance 27.5 from the commissioner: 27.6 (1) the applicant's administrative, insurance, and legal 27.7 costs; 27.8 (2) costs of acquiring project permits; 27.9 (3) costs of preparing environmental documents, feasibility 27.10 studies, or project designs; 27.11 (4) interest on money borrowed by the applicant or charged 27.12 to the applicant for late payment of project costs; 27.13 (5) any costs related to the routine maintenance, repair, 27.14 or operation of a commercial navigation facility; and 27.15 (6) costs of dredging to maintain an existing channel; and27.16(7) costs for a project that involves only27.17dredgingmaintained by the federal government. 27.18 Sec. 14. [COMMUTER RAIL STUDY.] 27.19 The commissioner of transportation, in coordination with 27.20 other public sector interests and the railroads, will conduct a 27.21 study to determine the feasibility of utilizing freight railroad 27.22 corridors for potential commuter rail service in and connecting 27.23 with the metropolitan area. The primary goal of this initiative 27.24 is to determine if commuter rail can provide a viable 27.25 transportation option for the metropolitan area. Additionally, 27.26 the study will define commuter rail's potential to reduce 27.27 highway congestion, provide an alternative to highway system 27.28 expansion, and improve air quality. The commissioner shall 27.29 report the results of the study no later than February 1, 1998. 27.30 Sec. 15. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 27.31 Section 14 is effective the day following final enactment.