HF 4295

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/26/2024 02:21pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; appropriating money for community roadside landscape
partnerships.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; COMMUNITY ROADSIDE LANDSCAPE
PARTNERSHIPS.
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the trunk highway fund to the
commissioner of transportation for landscaping improvements under the community roadside
landscape partnership program, with prioritization of tree planting as feasible. Subject to
available funds, the commissioner must assess and undertake methods to improve and
expand the program, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) identifying and evaluating locations for partnership opportunities throughout the
state where there is high traffic volume and minimal existing vegetation coverage in the
form of trees or large shrubs;
new text end

new text begin (2) performing outreach and engagement about the program with eligible community
partners;
new text end

new text begin (3) prioritizing roadsides where vegetation could reduce neighborhood noise impacts or
improve aesthetics for neighborhoods that border interstate highways without regard to
whether there are existing noise walls; and
new text end

new text begin (4) analyzing methods to include cost sharing between the department and participating
community partners for ongoing landscape maintenance.
new text end