1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; defining operating costs for purposes of the state share 
1.3 	of light rail operating costs; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.3994, 
1.4 	subdivision 9.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.3994, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 9.Light rail transit operating costs. (a) Before submitting an application for 
1.8 	federal assistance for light rail transit facilities in the metropolitan area, the Metropolitan 
1.9 	Council must prepare an estimate of the amount of operating subsidy which will be required 
1.10 	to operate light rail transit in the corridor to which the federal assistance would be applied. 
1.11 	The estimate must indicate the amount of operating subsidy estimated to be required in each 
1.12 	of the first ten years of operation of the light rail transit facility. If the commissioner of 
1.13 	transportation is the responsible authority, the commissioner must provide information 
1.14 	requested by the council that is necessary to make the estimate.
1.15 	(b) The council must review and evaluate the estimate developed under paragraph (a) 
1.16 	with regard to the effect of operating the light rail transit facility on the currently available 
1.17 	mechanisms for financing transit in the metropolitan area.
1.18 	(c) For purposes of this subdivision, operating costs consist of the costs associated with 
1.19 	light rail system daily operations and the maintenance costs associated with keeping light 
1.20 	rail services and facilities operating. Operating costs do not include costs incurred to enhance 
1.21 	or expand the existing system, construct new buildings or facilities, purchase new vehicles, 
1.22 	or make technology improvements.