Minnesota Legislature
SF 2461
as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 11:36pm
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A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring the commissioner of transportation to
implement complete streets policy; requiring reports; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 174.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
ARTICLE 1
COMPLETE STREETS POLICY
Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
The legislature finds that a cost-effective and common sense complete streets policy
can support the goals of the state transportation system in Minnesota Statutes, section
174.01, including improving safety, advancing independence and mobility for people
of all ages and abilities, enhancing economic development, maximizing the long-term
benefits of transportation investments, and reducing negative impacts on the environment.
Complete streets can also enhance public health and wellness by supporting safe walking
and biking as a part of daily life.
ARTICLE 2
IMPLEMENTATION
Section 1.
[174.75] COMPLETE STREETS.
Subdivision 1.
Definition.
"Complete streets" is the planning, scoping, design,
implementation, operation, and maintenance of roads in order to reasonably address the
safety and accessibility needs of users of all ages and abilities. Complete streets considers
the needs of motorists, pedestrians, transit users and vehicles, bicyclists, and commercial
and emergency vehicles moving along and across roads, intersections, and crossings in a
manner that is sensitive to the local context and recognizes that the needs vary in urban,
suburban, and rural settings.
Subd. 2.
Application.
Complete streets applies to every road construction,
reconstruction, or rehabilitation project funded partially or completely by the state.
Subd. 3.
Implementation.
The commissioner shall implement a complete streets
policy after consultation with stakeholders, state and regional agencies, local governments,
and road authorities. The commissioner, after such consultation, shall address relevant
protocols, guidance, standards, requirements, training, and shall integrate related
principles of context-sensitive solutions.
Subd. 4.
Report.
Beginning in 2011, the commissioner shall report on the
implementation of the complete streets policy in the agency's biennial budget submission
under section 174.02.
Subd. 5.
Local road authorities.
Local road authorities are encouraged, but not
required, to create and adopt complete streets policies for their roads that reflect local
context and goals. Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a local road
authority from adopting a complete streets policy that incorporates or exceeds statutory
complete streets principles.
ARTICLE 3
REPORTS
Section 1. STATE-AID STANDARDS FLEXIBILITY EVALUATION.
Subdivision 1.
Program established; reports.
The commissioner of transportation
shall conduct a statewide pilot program from August 1, 2010, to July 31, 2013. The
commissioner may extend the pilot program until July 31, 2014.
Subd. 2.
Program components.
Upon request of a local road authority and with
approval of the state aid engineer, the standards in the latest edition of A Policy on
Geometric Design of Highways and Streets from the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials must be accepted as an alternative to the minimum
state-aid standards in Minnesota Statutes, sections 162.02 and 162.09, and in rules
adopted under those sections. State-aid projects that meet the alternative standards as a
means of incorporating the complete streets policy are not subject to the variance process
requirements in Minnesota Statutes, sections 162.02 and 162.09.
Sec. 2. COMPLETE STREETS REPORTS.
The commissioner of transportation shall submit to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over
transportation policy and finance reports that:
(1) by November 15, 2010, summarize the department's complete streets initiatives,
outline plans to develop and implement a complete streets policy, and identify any
statutory barriers to complete streets implementation;
(2) by November 15, 2011, summarize the results of the collaboration under
Minnesota Statutes, section 174.75, subdivision 3; identify modifications made to or
recommended for protocols, guidance, standards, or other requirements to facilitate
complete streets implementation; report status of development of complete streets
performance indicators; outline other work planned related to the complete streets
policy; and identify statutory recommendations to facilitate complete streets policy
implementation; and
(3) by November 15, 2013, overview the department's implementation of complete
streets policy; note updates to protocols, guidance, standards, or requirements; report
on results of the state-aid standards flexibility evaluation; and identify statutory
recommendations to facilitate complete streets policy implementation.
The reports in clauses (1), (2), and (3) must be made available electronically and
made available in print only upon request.