SF 2093

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/17/2017 08:46am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; providing for grants for freight railroad preservation and
improvement; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section
222.50, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 222.50, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Grants; freight railroad preservation and improvement. new text end

new text begin (a) The
commissioner may make grants for freight railroad preservation and improvement as provided
in this subdivision and for the purposes specified in subdivision 7.
new text end

new text begin (b) The following entities are eligible to receive grant funds under this subdivision:
railroad companies that are classified by federal law or regulation as Class II Railroads,
Class II Rail Carriers, Class III Railroads, or Class III Carriers; rail users; and local units
of government. An eligible recipient may receive funds regardless of rail facility ownership.
new text end

new text begin (c) When awarding grants, the commissioner must prioritize projects:
new text end

new text begin (1) identified under subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (3);
new text end

new text begin (2) on segments experiencing low rail service use; and
new text end

new text begin (3) for applicants who commit more than 20 percent of total project costs from nonstate
and nonfederal sources.
new text end

new text begin (d) A grant under this subdivision must not exceed 80 percent of the total project cost.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin FREIGHT RAILROAD PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANTS;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $4,500,000 in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of transportation for freight railroad preservation and improvement grants under Minnesota
Statutes, section 222.50, subdivision 6a. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, this appropriation is available for three years after the year of appropriation.
new text end