1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring commissioners of transportation and 
1.3 	employment and economic development to develop a statewide freight network 
1.4 	optimization tool; appropriating money.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. FREIGHT NETWORK OPTIMIZATION TOOL CREATION.
 1.7 	(a) The commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the commissioner of 
1.8 	employment and economic development, must procure a statewide freight network 
1.9 	optimization tool. The tool, at a minimum, must be able to:
1.10 	(1) use data and mathematical models to reduce transportation inefficiencies for lowering 
1.11 	supply chain costs to Minnesota businesses;
1.12 	(2) develop return on investment metrics to promote public-private partnerships that 
1.13 	result in network investments that address supply chain bottlenecks;
1.14 	(3) analyze site locations for economic development that help to lower the cost of moving 
1.15 	goods;
1.16 	(4) improve the state's capabilities for transportation network planning and creating an 
1.17 	efficient multimodal network for moving goods and people;
1.18 	(5) identify investments that relieve freight bottlenecks which reduce costs for freight 
1.19 	transportation system users and  generate public benefits; and
1.20 	(6) develop strategic supply chain information to help identify economic development 
1.21 	opportunities for business expansion or relocation in Minnesota.
2.1 	(b) The commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the commissioner of 
2.2 	employment and economic development and the Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee, 
2.3 	must establish a process that allows public or private entities to access and use the tool.

2.4 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.5 	$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
2.6 	of transportation to develop the tool required in section 1, for database hosting and tool 
2.7 	maintenance through fiscal year 2024, and for administrative costs including procurement, 
2.8 	implementation, training, and operations. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.9 	16A.28, the appropriation does not lapse and is available until June 30, 2024, for the purposes 
2.10 	stated in this section.