1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to transportation; providing certain 
  1.3             conditions and exceptions for a new class I rest area 
  1.4             on state highway No. 371 between Brainerd and Little 
  1.5             Falls. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  [BRAINERD LAKES REST AREA.] 
  1.8      (a) Notwithstanding other law: 
  1.9      (1) the commissioner of transportation may enter into a 
  1.10  joint venture with Crow Wing county, the commissioner of natural 
  1.11  resources, and the Brainerd Lakes area chamber of commerce or 
  1.12  similar nonprofit entity that provides regional travel 
  1.13  information and services in connection with the operation of 
  1.14  facilities at the class I rest area to be constructed between 
  1.15  Brainerd and Little Falls on state highway No. 371 in the 
  1.16  vicinity of the Crow Wing state park; 
  1.17     (2) the chamber or similar entity may be a tenant in the 
  1.18  facility and may operate, advertise membership, run a 
  1.19  concession, including a gift shop in the facility, and take 
  1.20  revenue from the concession to support its nonprofit activities 
  1.21  within the rest area building; 
  1.22     (3) the commissioner may enter into a lease with the 
  1.23  chamber or similar entity.  The lease may be for a term of up to 
  1.24  20 years and may be renewed for additional terms of up to 20 
  1.25  years.  Some or all of the consideration from the chamber or 
  2.1   similar entity for the lease may be in the form of in-kind 
  2.2   contribution to improvements to the rest area facility; and 
  2.3      (4) the chamber or similar entity may advertise its 
  2.4   presence and services in the rest area along state highways, 
  2.5   including on rest area grounds and along state highway No. 371 
  2.6   within one-half mile of the rest area exit. 
  2.7      (b) The conditions, exemptions, and terms set out in this 
  2.8   act are intended to apply only to the rest area to be built on 
  2.9   state highway No. 371 between Little Falls and Brainerd. 
  2.10     (c) It is understood that because of lack of available 
  2.11  funding and other higher priorities, the unique circumstances, 
  2.12  including exceptional volume, site requirements and limitations, 
  2.13  and other unique circumstances, the rest area could not be built 
  2.14  and operated in the most desirable way without the contributions 
  2.15  of all the parties. 
  2.16     (d) The commissioner of transportation and the partners in 
  2.17  this rest area shall mutually develop and execute an agreement 
  2.18  to identify and accept responsibility for their respective 
  2.19  portion of construction, maintenance, and operating costs of the 
  2.20  facility based on their spatial requirements.  The 
  2.21  responsibilities could be through direct funding or in-kind 
  2.22  contributions as mutually agreed.