SF 289

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 08/05/2021 09:39am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring commissioners of transportation and
employment and economic development to develop a statewide freight network
optimization tool; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin FREIGHT NETWORK OPTIMIZATION TOOL CREATION.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the commissioner of
employment and economic development, must procure a statewide freight network
optimization tool. The tool, at a minimum, must be able to:
new text end

new text begin (1) use data and mathematical models to reduce transportation inefficiencies for lowering
supply chain costs to Minnesota businesses;
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new text begin (2) develop return on investment metrics to promote public-private partnerships that
result in network investments that address supply chain bottlenecks;
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new text begin (3) analyze site locations for economic development that help to lower the cost of moving
goods;
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new text begin (4) improve the state's capabilities for transportation network planning and creating an
efficient multimodal network for moving goods and people;
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new text begin (5) identify investments that relieve freight bottlenecks which reduce costs for freight
transportation system users and generate public benefits; and
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new text begin (6) develop strategic supply chain information to help identify economic development
opportunities for business expansion or relocation in Minnesota.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the commissioner of
employment and economic development and the Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee,
must establish a process that allows public or private entities to access and use the tool.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of transportation to develop the tool required in section 1, for database hosting and tool
maintenance through fiscal year 2024, and for administrative costs including procurement,
implementation, training, and operations. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, the appropriation does not lapse and is available until June 30, 2024, for the purposes
stated in this section.
new text end