1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring Metropolitan Council to study and report on 
1.3 	feasibility of use of light rail transit in the I-494 corridor; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY.
 1.6 	The Metropolitan Council shall conduct a study of the feasibility of the use of light 
1.7 	rail transit in the marked Interstate Highway 494 corridor connecting the Hiawatha light 
1.8 	rail transit line to the proposed southwest transit way. The Metropolitan Council may hire 
1.9 	a consultant to assist in the study and report under section 3.

1.10 	Sec. 2. ELEMENTS OF FEASIBILITY STUDY.
 1.11 	The light rail transit feasibility study must include, without limitation:
1.12 	(1) an identification of major operational characteristics of light rail transit in the 
1.13 	corridor;
1.14 	(2) a quantification of capital and operating costs;
1.15 	(3) an evaluation of the interface of the light rail transit system with other 
1.16 	transportation systems in the corridor;
1.17 	(4) an evaluation of the impact of the light rail transit system on land-use and urban 
1.18 	development;
1.19 	(5) an estimate of the cost and impact of necessary associated exercise of eminent 
1.20 	domain;
1.21 	(6) an evaluation of the impact of the light rail transit system on energy and the 
1.22 	environment;
2.1 	(7) a comparison of the light rail transit system with multipassenger alternatives 
2.2 	such as buses and carpools;
2.3 	(8) an estimate of ridership potential;
2.4 	(9) a cost-benefit analysis that compares the total cost of the project with the benefits 
2.5 	of the light rail transit line, to its users, other users of the highway, and adjacent property 
2.6 	owners;
2.7 	(10) an identification of potential sources of federal, state, local, private, and other 
2.8 	funds; and
2.9 	(11) an identification of the conditions necessary for light rail transit to be feasible in 
2.10 	the marked Interstate Highway 494 corridor.

2.11 	Sec. 3. REPORT.
 2.12 	The Metropolitan Council shall prepare a written report of this study and submit it 
2.13 	no later than January 15, 2008, to the legislature, in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, 
2.14 	sections 3.195 and 3.197, and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate 
2.15 	and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation.

2.16 	Sec. 4. APPROPRIATION.
 2.17 	$500,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Metropolitan Council for the 
2.18 	purpose of conducting this study and preparing this report. This appropriation is available 
2.19 	through January 15, 2008.

2.20 	Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.21 	Sections 1 to 4 are effective the day following final enactment.