SF 2188

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/21/2017 09:24am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing requirements governing colocation of light
rail transit and freight rail operations; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section
473.3994, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.3994, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Project development requirements; colocation. new text end

new text begin The council must establish
light rail transit project development standards and criteria for colocation of freight rail and
light rail transit on shared track or on adjacent track in a joint or shared use rail corridor.
The standards and criteria must:
new text end

new text begin (1) specify project design elements to address safety considerations resulting from
colocation;
new text end

new text begin (2) identify project costs resulting from colocation safety considerations;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide for emergency response training of fire department and emergency
management personnel with jurisdiction over the colocation corridor to prepare to respond
to collisions, derailments, or spills creating environmental hazards and threats to public
safety and public and private property;
new text end

new text begin (4) coordinate emergency response plans and activities between freight rail carriers and
local responders in the colocation corridor;
new text end

new text begin (5) adopt a process for the railroad to report to emergency managers and fire department
personnel concerning planned train routes, schedule, and cargo transported through the
colocation corridor;
new text end

new text begin (6) require all freight rail carriers operating in the colocation corridor to furnish proof
of the railroad's financial ability to pay for damages that may arise in connection with freight
rail operations within the colocation corridor, provided that damages under this clause must
account for a worst case discharge, as defined in section 115E.01, subdivision 13, including
property damage from a catastrophic incident involving fire or explosions, personal injury,
deaths, environmental response and mitigation costs, and other liabilities;
new text end

new text begin (7) limit freight operation in the colocation corridor to nonpeak light rail transit operating
hours;
new text end

new text begin (8) prohibit, as agreed to by all rail carriers utilizing the colocation corridor, the
transportation of oil and other hazardous substances, as those terms are defined in section
115E.01, subdivisions 6 and 8, and including ethanol;
new text end

new text begin (9) set a maximum freight train speed of ten miles per hour for operations in the
colocation corridor;
new text end

new text begin (10) require the Metropolitan Council to adopt and implement measures to reduce the
risk of interaction between electrical sparks and freight cargo; and
new text end

new text begin (11) for adjacent track in a joint or shared use rail corridor, ensure sufficient track spacing
separation to minimize the likelihood of impacts on track operations due to a train derailment
on the adjacent track.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECTS.
new text end

new text begin The requirements established under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.3994, subdivision
15, apply to any light rail transit construction or expansion project that is in project
development, including but not limited to design or engineering, on or after the effective
date of this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end