SF 3409

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/20/2020 03:24pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing a grant program for county pilot projects
that improve access to dynamic transportation options; requiring reports;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin PILOT PROJECTS FOR COUNTIES TO IMPROVE DYNAMIC
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS; GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation must establish a program to award grants to five
to ten counties to fund pilot projects that improve dynamic transportation options for
residents. The commissioner must establish a process for counties to apply for a grant under
this section and a process for selecting the projects. The projects must be selected and the
grants awarded by December 1, 2020.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must select pilot projects that improve access to nonfixed route
transportation options; allow for flexibility in scheduling rides; and leverage existing
programs, resources, or private sector businesses in the county. Pilot projects that are eligible
for the grants include but are not limited to: integrating existing transportation and ridesharing
systems in the county; establishing or contracting for ridesharing networks; incentivizing
or subsidizing the use of private companies, such as transportation network companies or
taxis, to provide transportation; establishing or expanding programs that use volunteer
drivers; and expanding current dial-a-ride options to include additional service.
new text end

new text begin (c) Metropolitan counties, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision
4, are not eligible for grants made under this section.
new text end

new text begin (d) By February 1, 2021, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation. The
report must include a description of the process used to select the projects, a description of
all projects submitted, a list of the projects selected, and the amount awarded to each project
selected.
new text end

new text begin (e) Counties that receive a grant for a pilot project under this section must submit a report
to the commissioner of transportation by December 31, 2021. The report must include a
description of the pilot project, how the funds were used, and a description of how the pilot
project met the goals described in paragraph (b). By February 1, 2022, the commissioner
must compile the county reports into a single report and submit the report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of transportation for grants under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end